E ver since people started researching how the human body works, the heart has been the centre of scrutiny as well as a source of constant fascination as to how such a small organ can be, in a way, the reason our bodies are working. But the main question remains, how to keep your heart healthy?
Your heart consists of a specialized kind of muscle called cardiac muscle, which has gap junctions in between to help stimulate flow through the body. Ever felt nervous and your heart starts beating really fast? That's your brain telling your heart to prepare to pump as much blood through the body as possible. In the old days, being in danger meant that you had to either flee or fight to protect your life, which is why adrenaline drives the heart to pump faster so that we can respond to danger quickly.
Overtime, people have made connections between the heart and romance but it is a misinformed opinion as your heart really has nothing to do with emotions. Poets and artists, among others, have written countless things about how their heart hurts because of a certain romantic problem, but in reality, your heart really does none of it.
Let's talk about what your heart actually does. The main function of your heart is to pump blood full of oxygen through the body with the help of elastic tissue and constant resistance through arteries. In addition to that, your heart also distributes hormones and other metabolites through your body, being a focal point of many functions. Maintaining blood pressure is also something your heart is a pro at, which is why in cases of low or high blood pressure, medications are given which alter how the heart beats.
Now that we are in an era where everyone wants results hard and fast, it is difficult to keep up with lifestyles without ignoring your physical and mental health. Every aspect of life demands hard work and quick results, which means that there isn't enough time for you to focus on your own health. But here are a few tips on how to keep your heart healthy in spite of fast paced life:
Routine checkups are a necessity for a healthy body. For your heart, this includes an ECG (electrocardiograph) and an echo every six to twelve months, varying with your age and risk factors.
Many heart diseases are hereditary and others may develop with time. Heart attacks can be quite scary, hence, it's important to keep yourself up to date with your family history. Here are a few statistics for your knowledge! It is always important to learn how to keep your heart healthy for a good and long life.
