Heart health: Loving our organ of life

A strong and regular heartbeat is a signal of life. This is true as the heart is a vital organ that works to keep us alive. It pumps blood to supply oxygen and nutrients to all parts of the body, hence allowing the other organs to function normally. Thus, nurturing a healthy heart is key to good overall health and quality of life. 

Indicators of a robust cardiovascular system

• Stable blood pressure of less than 130/85mmHg for adults.
• Regular heart rhythm with no arrhythmias and irregularities.
• Regular and consistent heart rate at a pace of 60-100 beats per minute at rest for adults.
• Ability to endure strenuous physical activities and stress without ​​encountering undue strain.

• Fasting blood sugar level within the healthy range of 72 mg/dL (4.0 mmol/L) and 99 mg/dL (5.4 mmol/L) for adults.

• Good cholesterol balance with lower Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and highermore High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol.

The above list is non exhaustive and prompt medical attention should be sought if you are experiencing any unusual signs or symptoms.

Prevention is better than cure

We are unable to ascertain how healthy our heart is just by looking into the mirror. Here’s how you can stay on top of your heart health:

Regular health assessments 

Conducting regular check-ups on blood pressure, cholesterol levels and heart rate can help to point out early signs of an unhealthy heart.  

Adopt a heart-healthy diet

What we feed our body plays a big part in our heart health. Avoiding foods that consist of high sodium, saturated fat and trans fat contents can reduce the risk of heart diseases. On the same note, increasing the intake of foods rich in fibre, vitamins, antioxidants, minerals, and unsaturated fat. can promote good heart health and heart function. 

Regular physical activity

Exercising regularly at various intensities can train up the heart musclesThe suggested amount of weekly physical activity to engage in is75 minutes of intense exercise or 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise.

Sufficient sleep

Getting 7-9 hours of quality sleep every night helps with promoting heart health too! As we sleep, essential cardiovascular rejuvenation and repairment takes place. This enhances the resilience of the heart by fixing any damages and addressing cardiovascular problems. 

Managing your health at home

Keeping your heart healthy requires work but it doesn't have to be a cumbersome chore. At Speedoc, our home-based chronic disease management programmes offer personalised assistance for a range of conditions that predispose one to higher risk of heart diseases, including diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol. 

Our medical treatment plans are tailored to individual needs and are carried out  in the comfort of your home. A dedicated team of doctors and nurses will conduct regular visits to perform various tests and set up medication refill reminders. By accessing reports on blood pressure, blood glucose, and other relevant indicators, conditions related to heart health will be kept under close surveillance and prevented from deteriorating.