A healthy lifestyle that incorporates eating nutritious food, drinking plenty of water, getting daily exercise and getting enough sleep is your best weapon against infection, illness and disease. A healthy diet in particular provides you with essential vitamins and minerals and maintains proper function of every system in the body, including the cardiovascular system. It's never too late to begin eating a heart-healthy diet and reduce your risk for life-threatening diseases later in life. A heart-healthy diet can reduce your risk of stroke and heart disease by as much as 80 percent.
Weight Control
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), globally more than one billion adults are overweight, of which 300 million are obese. Obesity puts you at higher risk for Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke and certain forms of cancer. The primary culprits in obesity is a diet high in sugar and saturated fats, sodium and calories and inactivity. A heart-healthy diet combined with exercise can help you lose weight and lower your risk of developing obesity-related coronary diseases. A heart-healthy diet combined with exercise can also help you maintain normal body weight and prevent you from becoming overweight as you get older
Blood Pressure
The heart of an overweight or obese person works harder to pump blood throughout the body. This results in increased force against the arterial walls and causes hypertension or high blood pressure. High blood pressure is a silent killer than can linger for years before it strikes in the form of a stroke, heart attack or even heart failure. A heart-healthy diet that is low in salt and sodium can help you lose weight and "take the load off" of your heart and enable it to work less as hard. According to the National Heart, Blood and Lung Institute, normal blood pressure is 120 over 80 (120/80). A blood pressure reading of 140/90 or higher is considered high and a signal that it's time to make some lifestyle changes.
Cholesterol
A diet high in cholesterol over time can lead to atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis occurs when cholesterol and other deposits form a plaque that builds up in the arteries. The plaque narrows the arteries and restricts the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the heart. This can cause chest pain, heart attack or a stroke. Eating a heart-healthy diet that is low in saturated and trans fats and high in unsaturated fats, protein and fiber, and includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, beans, nuts, seeds and fish can help lower cholesterol--and your risk for cardiovascular disease.
