The heart is the primary organ of the circulatory system of the body responsible for pumping blood throughout the body and also supplying us with oxygen and nutrients. This means that every drop of blood we have in our bodies has passed through our hearts. We can therefore see how important the heart is, in order for us to live and stay healthy.

The heart should be protected at all costs. Below are some measures to take to reduce the risk of having heart disease.

Limit your sugar and salt intake

Consuming large amounts of sugar and salt in our foods does us more harm than good. Although from a surface perspective, it makes your meals tastier; however, internally and in the long run, it can increase your blood pressure and increases the risk of heart disease and stroke. It has been argued about which does more damage-sugar or salt, but the fact is that they both do.

Get Periodic Cholesterol test

A cholesterol test is used to measure the amount of cholesterol and fats in your blood and can determine the risk of having a heart attack or other diseases. You require cholesterol to keep your cells and organs healthy, but there is a limit to how much one should have in the blood. This test would help to know if the cholesterol is above the limit and prevent you from having heart disease as a result. Consult a doctor to know how regularly you should do this.

Sleep

You are required to have at least 8 hours of sleep a day. This is because lack of sleep can result in Insomnia which is linked to high blood pressure and heart disease. Lack of sleep can also lead to an increase in your stress level, which will affect your heart.

Manage Stress

Stress is one of the major factors that can result in damage to your heart. Stress produces a surge of hormones in your body that leads to an increase in your blood pressure.  Be intentional about relaxation!

Do not smoke/Reduce your alcohol intake

Smoking and excessive alcohol are dangerous to your heart. When you smoke, you inhale various chemicals that can damage your cells and lead to heart attacks and strokes. Excessive alcohol intake can also lead to high blood pressure.

Remember this list is not exhaustive, please ask your doctor about heart health and for more tips to stay healthy.