Health, Weight Loss
5 Key Signs of a Healthy Heart and How You Should Maintain It
Sep
Medical Reviewed by Ashwathy V. Pillai, Postgraduate Degree in Dietetics & Applied Nutrition
A healthy heart means healthy body. If you live a stress-free life and seem to have correct body vitals and do not get tired after exertion, means you have a healthy heart. Do keep it going strong.
Death due to cardiovascular disease or unhealthy heart in India is one of the leading causes of death in the country today.
Interestingly, while the rate of death due to heart disease in the US has been decreasing, in India the story is exactly opposite. The rate of death due to heart disease has increased in India by 34 percent over the last 15 years.
The deaths have occurred due to high cholesterol, and blood pressure. These are sure signs that your heart health is not right.
This means that you ensure you have a healthy heart. So what are the signs of a healthy heart?
Your heart is beating at a steady rate
When your heart rate is under check that is thumping between 60 to 100 beats a minute, you know your heart is healthy.
According to Apollo Hospitals, it is a good practice to measure your heart rate with a heart rate monitor on a regular basis to ensure that your heart is in top shape.
You do not get breathless after climbing stairs
This is really an important aspect that shows a healthy heart. When you work your heart, which happens when you climb stairs or do some exerting activity, your heart works double time pumping blood. If this does not tire you, then your heart is in a good shape.
Your blood pressure levels are just right
According to heart doctors from a leading hospital, your heart is healthy and functioning fine if you clock in your blood pressure at the right levels.
A healthy heart means that it is pumping the blood at the right pressure levels and there is no excess cholesterol choking the arteries.
A healthy heart means right blood sugar levels
Ensure that your blood sugar levels are just right, to maintain a healthy heart. Proper blood glucose levels mean that your heart is functioning right and your body is processing the sugar in your body right.
You sleep well at night and remain mostly stress-free
Excessive stress and insomnia are both signs of bad heart. In fact, both these can also be a trigger for a weak heart.
If you are able to calm down quickly after a stressful event, it shows that you are not hypertensive and you have a healthy heart.
Excessive irritability and stress are both signs of hypertension, which in turn point to a disease in your cardiovascular system.
According to the American Journal of Epidemiology, people, below the age of 65 with disturbed sleep at night due to disordered breathing, are more prone to obesity and cardiovascular diseases, and vice a versa.
So if you are able to clock in straight 7 to 8 hours of sleep at night without much disturbance, you have a healthy heart.
