A good lifestyle to keep your heart healthy!

Cardiovascular diseases are diseases that seriously endanger people’s health and lives, with high mortality and disability rates. In the past 30 years, the mortality, incidence and prevalence of cardiovascular diseases (mainly coronary heart disease, stroke and peripheral vascular disease) in our population are generally on the rise, and the age of onset is earlier. Cardiovascular disease has become the most important public health problem in China, with approximately 2 out of every 5 deaths due to cardiovascular disease. Primary prevention of cardiovascular disease is an intervention that targets people who have not yet developed cardiovascular disease. These interventions usually refer to changes in unhealthy lifestyle habits, such as quitting smoking, reducing sodium intake, limiting harmful use of alcohol, increasing physical activity and weight control, and eating a proper diet. The aim is to prevent the occurrence of cardiovascular diseases and other related diseases. I. Low salt and low fat, reasonable diet Low salt refers to limiting salt intake to less than 6 grams per day and eating less high-salt foods, such as salted vegetables, soy bean curd, soy sauce, etc. Low-fat diet means that patients should eat as little animal fat and cholesterol-rich foods as possible, such as egg yolk, fish roe, animal offal, fried foods, etc. Attention should be paid to eating less red meat (such as pork, beef and mutton), and white meat (such as chicken, duck and fish) can be eaten in moderation, with more fresh vegetables and fruits. In addition to controlling the total dietary calorie intake and reducing salt, we should also increase the proportion of non-refined rice and flour (cereal grain skin is rich in fiber, vitamins and minerals) in the diet, reduce the total fat in the diet, especially the content of saturated fatty acids, and increase the intake of vegetables and fruits. At present, the proportion of fat in the total calories per capita intake in China is high, and coarse rice and flour, fruits and vegetables are obviously insufficient. It should be recommended that each person’s daily intake: 300g of milk, 300~500g of vegetables, 200~350g of fruits, 120~200g of poultry and eggs, 250~400g of cereals and potatoes. a reasonable diet can increase the intake of fiber, vitamins, potassium, etc., reduce blood lipids and improve cardiovascular health. Second, quit smoking and refuse passive smoking A large number of studies have shown that whether active smoking or passive inhalation of secondhand smoke, smoking and cardiovascular disease, tumors or the risk of morbidity and mortality from chronic respiratory disease is significantly positively associated. Statistics show that 75% of patients with coronary heart disease and hypertension have a history of smoking. The incidence of coronary heart disease was 3.5 times higher in smokers than in nonsmokers, the death rate from coronary heart disease was 6 times higher in the former than in the latter, and the incidence of myocardial infarction was 2-6 times higher in the former than in the latter. Therefore, it can be clearly said that smoking is a major risk factor for a variety of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. The best way to improve heart health is to not smoke and to refuse passive smoking. Whenever you quit smoking, you will benefit. The earlier you quit, the more you will benefit. Within 2 years of quitting, the risk of coronary heart disease is greatly reduced; within 15 years of quitting, the risk of cardiovascular disease returns to that of non-smokers. Third, limit alcohol consumption and try not to drink Recently, the World Health Organization (WHO) published the 2018 Global Alcohol and Health Report, which pointed out that about 3 million people die from alcohol consumption each year worldwide, accounting for 5.3% of all deaths; on average, one in every 20 deaths is due to alcohol consumption, and men account for 3/4 of alcohol-related deaths. 6 people die every minute due to alcohol consumption. Per capita alcohol consumption in China was 4.1 liters, 7.1 liters and 7.2 liters in 2005, 2010 and 2016, respectively, an increase of 76%. The lifetime abstinence rate in China decreased from 50.9% in 2005 to 42.1% in 2016. Excessive alcohol consumption is a significant risk factor for more than 200 health problems. Among occasional heavy drinkers, there is no prevention of ischemic heart disease and ischemic strokes with chronic small amounts of alcohol consumption. Alcohol consumption is strongly associated with hypertension, atrial fibrillation and hemorrhagic stroke. The recommended daily intake of alcohol in China is <25 g for men and <15 g for women. alcohol should not be consumed by patients with hypertension, hepatic or renal insufficiency, atrial fibrillation, pregnant women or adolescents. The latest data analysis of the Global Burden of Disease Study shows that the safest amount of alcohol consumption is 0, i.e. no alcohol consumption. In recent years, many experts have suggested that "exercise is a good doctor". Indeed, exercise therapy is an important part of the prevention and treatment of heart disease, and plays an important role in improving patients' quality of life, enhancing physical fitness, controlling body weight, improving self-care ability and restoring work ability. Purposeful and planned moderate exercise can not only improve vascular endothelial function, stabilize coronary plaque, promote the establishment of collateral circulation, improve cardiac function and reduce the incidence of heart disease. For example, exercises such as walking, jogging, cycling, tai chi and aerobics. The guidelines recommend that moderate to vigorous intensity aerobic exercise for 30 min a day, at least 3-5 times a week, can effectively improve cardiovascular health, with emphasis on long-term adherence. For young people with busy work schedules, 2 times a week of higher intensity exercise is less likely to result in cardiovascular disease than individuals who do not exercise at all. Fifth, to maintain emotional stability, maintain a good state of mind, to ensure good sleep Long-term mental stress is likely to lead to the occurrence of coronary heart disease. Many studies have shown that the risk of coronary heart disease is 2-3 times higher in people with high mental stress than in people with low mental stress, and the age of onset is earlier. In addition, studies have found that adverse emotional factors such as frustration and hostility have an impact on the morbidity and mortality of coronary heart disease independent of traditional risk factors. To maintain emotional stability, a positive and optimistic mindset, etc. will have important cardiovascular implications. Ensuring good sleep requires attention to sleep duration, sleep quality, and sleep-related disorders, such as sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common cause of intractable hypertension and one of the common triggers of intractable angina pectoris at night. In addition, obstructive sleep apnea is associated with a variety of cardiovascular diseases such as arrhythmia, heart failure, and cardiogenic death, and should be actively intervened.