"Patients with cardiac disease are at elevated risk for hospitalization, ICU admission, as well as death from COVID-19," noted cardiologist and American College of Lifestyle Medicine president Cate Collings, MD, an AMA member said Ky. Then, in the other direction, COVID is linked to myocarditis, which may result in the onset of heart failure and damage to the heart.
Dr. Collings presents six suggestions for modifying one's lifestyle to lessen the risk of and treat heart disease.
Choosing inflammatory-reducing meals
Foods like meats, fried foods, and processed foods are examples of pro-inflammatory foods, according to Dr. Collings. "Some foods are abundant in polyphenols and antioxidants, which all work to lower inflammation."
Take the proper exercise.
It depends on the individual, according to Dr. Collings. "What is moderate for one person is difficult for another, and what is moderate for another may be mild for another." "Even brief bouts of moderate activity, such as brisk walking, cycling, or swimming, can lower the risk of heart disease and strengthen the immune system.
Reduce stress According to Dr. Collings, scheduling daily time for reflection, meditation, or spirituality is one strategy to reduce heart-damaging stress. a time to breathe, move, or unwind."
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Record the happy moments
Positive thinking, according to Dr. Collings "directly impacts a person's wellbeing. Humor is frequently the best treatment, adding that "the risk of sadness" can actually have difficult repercussions for some of the milder psychological problems.
According to statistics, having a cheerful outlook on life, connecting with others, and experiencing happy times all have an immediate favorable impact on physiology and health outcomes.
Analyze your bad habits
Alcohol, smoking, and substance misuse can all raise a person's chance of developing heart disease.
"The difficult part — and hopefully it will get better with time — is that people have bad societal connotations when it comes to drugs, alcohol, and definitely tobacco, which causes people to fall into a vicious cycle of shame and concealment," said the author. "The good news is that you're not alone, and that's the message you want to convey.
She said, "It's vital to reach out, get treatment, and not be ashamed."
Make restorative sleep a priority.
Adults who get less than seven hours of sleep each night are more prone to experience health issues, such as heart attacks. The chance of developing heart disease can also be increased by some of these health issues.
Sleep "influences us medically, but also affects our emotional and mental state," according to Dr. Collings. Although many cases of undiagnosed and untreated sleep apnea raise the risk of a variety of health issues, such as high blood pressure, nerve rhythms, heart attacks, and strokes, it does have a direct physiological impact on recovery.
