The month of February is celebrated as American Heart month and it’s quite a good reminder about just how important heart health is. Even today, it is estimated that 1 in 4 people die from heart related illnesses which are often preventable if it is diagnosed early. Learning about heart disease and the different ways in which they can be treated is one of the first steps you can take to become heart healthy.

What Getting Tested Can Reveal

There are so many tests you can take to understand how healthy you really are. The most common 4 ways of measuring heart health are-

Blood Tests

Getting a lipid profile done can tell you how much healthy fat you have in your blood vs unhealthy saturated fat. Blood tests are also a very reliable medium to check if any heart muscle damage has already taken place.

ECG

If your doctor wants to make sure that your heart is beating normally, then this is the test to undergo. An ECG will also help to diagnose any abnormalities in the cardiac rhythm which could be a precursor to an attack.

Echocardiogram

This test commonly uses a probe to check if there are any blocks in the heart valves or arteries and also lets your doctor know if your heart is functioning normally.

Calcium Score

Also known as Coronary Artery Calcium scoring, this non-invasive scan can calculate your risk of artery disease simply by measuring how much plaque has calcified in the heart’s arteries.

Positive Steps Towards Heart Health

You can do your heart a big favor today simply by understanding how important it is to your every day. By making a few changes to your lifestyle, you can help to ease the stress that your heart goes through in order to function on a daily basis-

Eating Less Sugar

Sugar is one of the main culprits behind weight gain and the more overweight you are, the more stress you unknowingly put on your heart. Cutting down on sugar will do wonders for your body.

Reduce Saturated Fat

Saturated fat which is found in meat, processed food and junk food is the biggest culprit behind poor heart health. By increasing intake of healthy fats from natural sources, you can reduce your chances of getting a heart attack.

Eat Berries

Berries are chockfull of heart healthy antioxidants which not only help to improve overall heart health but which also give your immunity and well-being a big boost. Add a handful of berries to your morning oatmeal, muesli or eat as a snack.

Work Out

Whether it be going for a brisk walk to burn calories or to, staying active is a great way to keep your heart healthy and happy.

Believe it or not, but you do not have to burn yourself out by spending hours at the gym just to make your heart healthier. Your body is capable of healing itself with consistent minimal exercise. I believe that by following a well-planned plant-based diet, you will without doubt see a big improvement in your lipid profile tests.

So, do you need an expert to make sense of the tests and scans and to help you follow a preventative plan that’s approved by your doctor? Then, give me your feedback below and let’s connect.