In a world where a sedentary lifestyle and unhealthy diet have become the norm, heart disease is on the rise. Among the many factors contributing to this global health crisis, obesity takes centre stage. So, let’s find out how obesity and heart problems are linked, what causes them, and most importantly, how you can keep your heart healthy.
The Impact of Obesity on Heart Health:
Inflammation: Carrying extra body weight leads to inflammation in your body, which spells trouble for your blood vessels. This inflammation increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
High Blood Pressure: Those extra pounds add to the stress on your heart, causing your blood pressure to soar. Over time, this strain can weaken your heart and elevate the risk of heart failure.
Abnormal Lipids: Obesity disturbs your lipid levels, like triglycerides and LDL cholesterol. These disruptions can lead to plaque buildup in your arteries, a recipe for heart disease.
Type 2 Diabetes: Carrying extra body weight significantly increases your risk of developing diabetes, which, in turn, boosts the chances of heart problems.
Sleep Apnoea: Obesity can lead to obstructive sleep apnoea, a condition where you struggle to breathe while sleeping. This can result in high blood pressure and irregular heart rhythms, further increasing the risk of heart disease.
Metabolic Syndrome: Obesity is at the core of metabolic syndrome, a group of conditions that team up to heighten your risk of heart disease. These include high blood pressure, distress in lipids, and insulin resistance.
Building a Heart-Healthy Routine:
Eat Balanced: Load up on fruits, veggies, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats. Cut back on sugary drinks and high-calorie, high-fat treats, and watch your portion sizes.
Stay Active: Strive for around 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise a week or 75 minutes of more intense workouts. Don’t forget strength training a couple of days a week.
Mind Your Portions: Keep an eye on how much you eat to avoid overindulging. Listen to your body’s hunger cues and avoid eating out of boredom or stress.
Skip the Junk: Say goodbye to sugary snacks, sodas, and overly processed foods packed with unhealthy ingredients.
Relax: Find ways to de-stress through mindfulness, meditation, or yoga, as stress eating isn’t your heart’s ally.
Catch the Z’s: Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night. Poor sleep can mess with your appetite and lead to weight gain.
Check-Ups: Don’t forget to see your doctor regularly for regular health checkups.
Preventing obesity and promoting heart health involves making sustainable lifestyle changes. These changes focus on maintaining a balanced diet, regular physical activity, effective stress management, and achieving a healthy weight. Recognising the importance of proactive health management is essential. To address these crucial health concerns, we emphasise the significance of taking preventive health check-ups seriously.
We offer comprehensive preventive health check-up packages, starting from just AED 99. Our packages are thoughtfully designed to evaluate your heart health, identify risk factors early, and provide personalised guidance for a healthier future. Remember, waiting for symptoms to manifest is not the way to go. Take control of your heart health today by scheduling a preventive health check-up. Your heart deserves the best care, and we’re here to support you on your journey to a healthier you.
