Billion Hearts Beating campaign against Heart disease

Apollo Hospital one of leading super speciality Hospitals in India in association with The Times of India, conducts Billion Hearts Beating campaign against Heart disease.It is estimated that Indians are nearly four times more susceptible to heart attacks with 25% of attacks happening to people under the age of 40.

Studies over the last 60 years show an alarmingly high rate of coronary heart disease and premature heart disease among Indians.It isn’t easy to become all heart-healthy overnight. Good news is that scientific evidence indicates 7 risk factors, which, if addressed, can significantly reduce the risk of heart disease.


The seven risk factors

Scientific evidence indicates 7 risk factors, which, if addressed, can significantly reduce the risk of heart disease-even reverse it! Following are 7 risk factors for risk of heart disease.

1. Smoking: Smokers risk a heart attack twice as much as non-smokers.So if you smoke, quit right now. It isn’t easy, but it’s possible. Smoking is also the most preventable risk factor. Please remember that non-smokers who are exposed to passive smoking are at an increased risk. And that’s not fair.
2. Cholesterol: A diet low in cholesterol and saturated and trans fat will help lower cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart disease.Regular exercise will also help lower ‘bad’ cholesterol and raise ‘good’ cholesterol levels. Please have your cholesterol levels checked.
3. Blood pressure: Control blood pressure through diet, exercise, weight management, and if needed, medication.Like cholesterol, blood pressure interpretation and treatment should be individualized, taking into account your entire risk profile.
4. Diabetes: Control diabetes through a healthy diet, exercise, maintaining the right weight, and taking medication as prescribed by your doctor. If not properly controlled, diabetes can lead to significant heart damage, including heart attacks and death.
5. Lifestyle: Try to exercise 30 minutes a day, at moderate intensity, every day.Simple leisure-time activities like gardening or walking can lower your risk of heart disease.
6. Eating: Eat a heart-healthy diet, low in salt, saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol, and refined sugars. Eat plant-based foods such as fruits and vegetables, nuts, and whole grains.Try to increase your intake of foods rich in vitamins and other nutrients, especially antioxidants, which have been proven to lower your risk for heart disease.
7. Stress: Poorly controlled stress and anger can lead to heart attacks and strokes.Learn to manage your time better, set realistic goals, and take up activities like Yoga and meditation. Use stress and anger management techniques to lower your risk.

TAKE PLEDGE TO GIFT SOMEONE A FREE HEART SCREENING

For every pledge taken Apollo Hospitals offers free heart screening to one deserving person.Taking the pledge is good for your heart. It’s also good for someone else’s. For every pledge taken at http://billionheartsbeating.com, Apollo Hospitals will offer free heart screening to one deserving person.

It isn’t easy to become all heart-healthy overnight. But the point is, you need to start somewhere. Take Pledge at billionheartsbeating.com and help one deserving person for free heart screening.

Source: http://billionheartsbeating.com