Heart Failure Cases on Rise in India: Here's How to Spot the Symptoms and Tweak Your Diet for a Healthy Heart

According to the findings shared at the Heart Failure Summit 2017, that took place this Sunday in Chandigarh, India witnesses between 1.3 to 4.6 million heart failure cases every year. Experts suggested that heart failure incidents are on sharp rise all across the country. With the rise in obesity and an escalating trend of sedentary lifestyle and processed food consumption, many lifestyle disease including cancer, diabetes and heart ailments are becoming common these days.

The American Heart Association describes heart failure as a condition that "occurs when the heart muscle is weakened and cannot pump enough blood to meet the body's needs for blood and oxygen". Experts at the Heart Failure Summit emphasized that heart failure is a preventable and treatable condition which can managed well if some of the early symptoms are identified well in time and timely action is taken. The American Heart Association shares a handy guide outlining some of the key symptoms and causes of heart failure, take a look.

- Heart failure is likely to occur in people as they age and in those who already suffer from high blood pressure or have a history of coronary artery disease or heart attack.

- Some of the most common symptoms of heart failure would include high heart rate, confusion, lack of focus or impaired thinking; loss of appetite, nausea, chronic wheezing or coughing, persistent fatigue.

 

Managing heart failure

The best way to ensure a healthy heart is by eating a balanced diet and indulging in regular physical activity. While you must consult your medical expert to get a lowdown of what kind of physical activity would your current health and fitness level permit, there is simply no harm in identifying heart-friendly ingredients and making sure that these become a part of your daily diet.

Foods for a healthy heart

According to a Healthy Eating for a Healthy Heart, a Harvard report, fresh fruits and veggies, whole grains are some of the items one must eat in abundance to ensure a healthy heart, take a look at the entire list:

Fruits and veggies

Experts at Harvard suggest consuming at least 4 to 5 servings of fruits and veggies every day. Variety should be your mantra.

Whole grains

"Don't simply add whole grains to your diet; eat them in place of starches (like potatoes), refined carbohydrates (like white bread, white rice, and low-fiber breakfast cereals), and sweets," as mentioned in the Harvard report published online.

Omega 3

Fish like salmon, tuna and sardines are plump with heart-friendly omega 3. You can easily consume two servings in a week. Nuts, seeds and dry fruits can be included in your daily in moderation.

Herbs and spices

Spices, herbs and condiments like cinnamon, clove, garlic, ginger, dill, bay leaves, tulsi, pepper, turmeric among others are all super beneficial for the heart. Dunk them in your daily meals including curries, soups, broths, et cetera.

Maintaining a healthy heart would mean ensuring balanced cholesterol, blood sugar and insulin levels and keeping a check on obesity. Our bodily processes and various organs work in tandem with each and never in isolation. Fortifying your health and revving up your fitness with regular exercising and optimum nutrition is always the ultimate key to good health.