September 29 is observed as
World Heart Day to spread awareness about cardiovascular diseases (CVD),
including heart disease and stroke. In the time of COVID-19, people are
faced with a double-edged threat. Not only are they more at risk of developing
severe forms of the virus, but they may also be afraid to seek ongoing care for
their hearts. The population of
cardiovascular patients is rising rapidly, and the disease is afflicting
younger people at their peak. In
India, half of all reported heart attacks are caused due to cardiovascular
diseases in people under the age of 50, and 25% of those occur in people below
40.Over the last few months, there has been a revival of interest in alternate
methods of fitness and well-being accompanied by correction of diet and
lifestyle.
A healthy heart is
imperative for healthy living. Thus it is important to understand what it takes
to live a heart healthy life and to act on that knowledge, changing your
behaviour for better quality of life now and in the future. In line with the
campaign of World Heart Federation, #Useheart to beat cardiovascular
diseases, Ms. Anjali Malhotra, Chief Customer, Marketing, Digital and
IT Officer, Aviva Life Insurance suggests some easy ways to live a
heart healthy life.
Exercise
regularly
Since the
outbreak of Covid-19, lives are becoming increasingly sedentary with people
spending most of their time sitting in front of laptops, televisions or mobile
screens with no physical activity or workout. Adapting healthy habits like
walking around at home while working or taking online fitness classes will help
in relaxing mind and body. Incorporating physical exercises such as walking,
running, cycling and aerobics as part of the daily routine is beneficial for
heart health.
Adopt
healthy eating habits
Common
heart diseases are caused due to high cholesterol, obesity and diabetes.
Therefore, it is important to consume a balanced diet. Including healthy food and an adequate amount of
nutrients in the diet can protect heart diseases. Therefore, ensure enough
intake of green and leafy vegetables, fibre-rich whole grains, fatty-fish,
nuts, and exclude sugar and aerated drinks from the diet, and replace sweetened
beverages with water.
Listen to your heart and
go for regular screenings
Regular screening is
essential for monitoring overall health. This becomes even more imperative with
increasing age and one should not let COVID-19 stop from attending your regular
check-ups. One way of healthy heart is to check if your heart is as young as
you, with the help of Aviva Heart Age Calculator which
tells the actual age of your heart in few simple steps.
Get Enough Sleep
Adequate
sleep is key to maintaining a healthy heart. Lack of sleep increases the risk
of cardiovascular diseases, despite maintaining other health habits. According to the National Heart, Lung, and
Blood Institute, (NHLBI), one must get at least 7 – 8 hours of sleep every day
as it has the ability to optimize both mental and physical energy levels.
Be financially prepared
to protect your heart
In today’s fast paced
world, one should always be prepared for uncertainties. To attain a healthy
heart and secured future, financial Planning is of utmost importance. Liquidity
is another problem people are facing now so, one should invest in comprehensive
insurance plans to protect oneself from medical exigencies. It is suggested to
be futuristic in picking investment options and opt for insurance plans that
offer coverage against cardiovascular conditions and allows
lump-sum pay-out irrespective of the cost of treatment.
Focus on health and
wellness
Apart from focusing on
exercising and healthy eating habits, it is imperative to focus on overall wellness
for healthy heart. In today’s times, happiness plays a key role in determining
wellness and to ensure mental peace. Picking up a passion or hobby have a
therapeutic effect on the mind and soul. Attaining a good work life balance
helps one stay positive and focus on the larger aspects of life like leading a
quality life, attainment of personal goals, and self-actualisation. This helps
in better stress management and lead a healthy living.