Please Be Careful With Your Heart

"It is one of the most important organs in the entire human body.  If the heart ever ceases to pump blood the body begins to shut down and after a very short period of time will die."

The importance of the heart to the human body, is, simply saying: LIFE. Maintaining every organ which pumps and circulate the oxygenated blood through out our body.

According to a study,  emotional stress really can harm our hearts. According to Daniel J. DeNoon and Interviewed by Louise Chang MD on WebMD Health News that intense grief, acute anger, and sudden fear can have direct -- sometimes fatal -- effects on the human heart. And long-term emotional stress shortens lives by increasing the risk of heart disease, notes Daniel J. Brotman, MD, director of the hospitalist program at Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore.

 

Heartache, Heart Harm

Psychological disorders, personality types, and other psychological stressors are linked to various heart problems:

• People who suffer from depression, hopelessness, or a pessimistic outlook are more likely than others to suffer heart attack and sudden heart death. They are more likely to develop conditions that increase heart risk, such as obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure and impaired heart rate.

• People who suffer chronic anxiety are more likely than others to suffer heart attack, atrial fibrillation, and sudden heart death. Their propensity for high blood pressure and impaired heart rate increases their heart risk.

• Emotional trauma -- such as the death of a spouse, mental or physical abuse, or posttraumatic stress syndrome/disease increases risk of heart attack and heart death.

• People with type D personalities (characterized by pessimistic emotions and inability to share emotions with others) and type A personalities (characterized by anxiety directed outward as aggressive, irritable, or hostile behaviors) are more likely than others to suffer heart attacks.

• People with angry or hostile temperaments are more likely than others to suffer heart death.

• Acute fear, grief, startling, or anger can cause "stunned heart."  Wallops of emotion also can cause sudden death due to life-threatening abnormal heart rhythm.

Even when intense bouts of emotion don't kill, they may cause long-lasting heart damage.

"Most people who suffer the death of a loved one are not coming to medical attention, but that does not mean their hearts are not stunned for a period of time," Brotman says. "We doctors only see those with heart failure, or those with already-damaged hearts whose defibrillators fire. But probably, in every body, what stress hormones do today have some impact on how healthy your cardiovascular system will be 20 years from now."

So here are WAYS on how you TAKE CARE of YOUR HEART

1. Schedule a Yearly Checkup 

Your heart is in your hands. Each year on your birthday, schedule a checkup to have your blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose levels checked, and ask your doctor to help you reach or maintain a healthy weight. Be sure to follow your healthcare professional's recommendations, including taking prescribed medications as directed.

2. Get Physical - Step, march or jog in place for at least 15 minutes a day while watching your favorite TV shows. Increase your activity by five minutes each week until you're getting a minimum of 30 minutes most days of the week.

If exercise and diet do not get you to your goal, ask your doctor about adding medication.

3. Drink More Water - Take a water bottle with you wherever you go. It'll keep you hydrated and the bottle's weight will strengthen your arms.

 4. Eat Healthy - Keep packages of unhealthy food hidden. Put raw veggies and fruits in front in the refrigerator and healthy snacks in the front of the pantry, so that's what you see first. If you grab healthy foods for a minimum of 21 times, healthy choices will become a habit.

Also, look for the American Heart Association red and white heart-check mark. This easy, reliable grocery shopping tool helps you identify foods that can be part of a sensible eating plan.

5. Control Cholesterol

Eating foods high in saturated fat, trans fat or cholesterol can lead to high blood cholesterol. To help keep your cholesterol levels down, eat foods low in saturated fat and trans fat, such as lean chicken or turkey (roasted or baked, with skin removed), fruits and veggies, low-fat or fat-free dairy products and whole grains.

7. Quit Smoking

 

Try this four-step way to kick your habit:

• On Day 1, cut the number of cigarettes you smoke by half
• On Day 3, cut the number of cigarettes you smoke in half again
• And on Day 5, cut your smoking in half again
• On your Quit Day... quit!

8. Maintain a Healthy Weight - Excess weight increases your risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetes. To achieve steady, painless weight loss, take it easy. Each day, if you eat 200-300 calories less than you would normally consume, and exercise at least 30 minutes on most or all days of the week, you'll get closer to your goal and be able to achieve weight loss that's steady and painless.

9. Stay Positive - If you get off your exercise schedule, have a cigarette, or eat a fattening meal, immediately get back on track toward re-establishing a healthy lifestyle.

10. Give Yourself Credit - To maintain momentum with exercising, losing weight, or quitting smoking, keep track of your achievements and reward yourself by doing something you enjoy.

Today, Tomorrow and for Life

There will be ONE Heart that Would Always Beat For You

You know Who?

Your Own. 

So please...

Be Careful With Your Heart

sources:

http://www.worldinvisible.com/apologet/humbody/heart.htm

http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/news/20070920/stress-breaks-hearts

science.nationalgeographic.com

http://www.uwhealth.org/go-red/10-ways-to-take-charge-of-your-heart-health/10543

www.bbc.co.uk

www.goredforwomen.org