5 ENEMIES OF THE HEART & HOW TO CONQUER THEM (Francis Owusu-Banahene, T/Dr)

 



“While we recognize that the creator, within the marvelous design of life, placed components—each with an assigned purpose—in the body, it seems that in every person’s mind, the heart is the organ given the most attention.” (Jorge Alberto Gonzalez, MD)

The heart is the principal organ for circulation and of the cardiovascular system, a network of blood vessels (veins, arteries, and the lymphatic system) that pumps blood throughout the body. As a nonstop engine, the heart beats about 70 times per minute, 4200 times an hour, and more than 100,000 times per day.

Functions of the heart

The primary function of the heart is to move blood throughout the body. Others include controlling the rhythm and speed of the heart rate and maintaining blood pressure. These functions of the heart are not achieved in isolation but rather with the support of other body systems, such as the nervous system and the endocrine system.

For optimal functioning, the heartbeats should always be strong enough to have a smooth and even rhythm. A default in any of these variables creates problems for the heart, bringing about symptoms that may develop into diseases of varying intensity that position the entire cardiovascular system in a failing state.



5 enemies of the heart

There are factors or behaviors that impair the efficiency of the heart.

1.       Sedentary lifestyle: physical inactivity renders the cardiovascular system inactive, resulting in poor circulation. Idleness also leads to weight gain, which consequently increases the heart workload.

  1. Stress: various studies have affirmed stress as a significant risk factor that can upset the balance or disrupt the heart’s function. Uncontrolled stress mostly creates heart arrhythmias (an irregular heartbeat) and increases blood pressure. Frequent spikes in the blood pressure may lead to heart attacks and strokes and may also damage the blood vessels, the heart, and the kidneys over time.
  2. Tobacco: whether through cigarettes, pipes, cigars, etc., smoking increases the risk of suffering a cardiovascular disease. Nicotine, an element in tobacco smoke that is breathed in, narrows arteries and aids in the formation of blocked plaques (atherosclerosis). And the situation is not different with passive smokers (2nd-hand smoke). In fact, passive smoking increases the risk of suffering a heart attack by about 30%, according to Dr. Jorge Alberto Gonzalez.

  3. Excess weight: whether obese or overweight, there is always a higher level of cholesterol (generally triglycerides) in the blood. High cholesterol levels lead to the formation of blockage plaques in the arteries and then high blood pressure. Also, as already indicated, the demand for blood is higher when the body mass +increases, making the heart overwork. All these conditions subject the body to coronary artery diseases, or cardiovascular diseases.
  4. Heredity: generally, heart conditions or the tendency to acquire them are inherited, especially among people whose parents or siblings had heart conditions (e.g., high blood pressure) before the age of 55.

4 ways to protect and care for the heart.

Contrary to the factors that damage the heart, there are several things that can be done to protect and care for the heart. The good news is that these measures or principles possess both preventive and curative powers and, when strictly adhered to, can correct heredity tendencies and even reverse existing cardiovascular complications.

  1. Having a healthy lifestyle: this means absolutely abstaining from behaviors or lifestyles (i.e., smoking and alcohol intake) that damage the heart and adopting those (e.g., maintaining an adequate weight and getting good rest) that preserve the heart.
  2. Regular physical activity: regular physical activities help maintain normal blood pressure. This enhances the heart’s efficiency and makes the heart work with less effort. Aerobic physical activity (especially walking) is the one that most benefits the heart.

  3. Positive mindset: negative feelings, hate, resentment, quilt, pride, and arrogance aggravate stress. On the other hand, living life with a positive attitude (i.e., nurturing a good sense of humor, being in a good mood, and being optimistic and not exaggerating problems) suppresses stress and reduces the risk of cardiovascular complications.
  4. Following a healthy diet: this simply means abstaining from all harmful substances and using the healthy ones moderately (being temperate). For instance, daily consumption of fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, wholegrains, legumes, etc. is essential for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases.


Francis Owusu-Banahene is a licensed doctor of traditional medicine, a preventive health advocate, and the CEO of East Eden Health Reform Center (EEHRC).

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