Healthy Heart and Precautions during COVID-19
People may develop COVID-19 if they have heart disease and other health conditions. They are at a high risk of getting seriously ill. Heart patients might ask about the right things to be done for their health at the time when there is little or no research available surrounding new viral disease.
Flu shots for viral inflammation
The most important precautionary steps to be taken by a person with heart disease is to have an influenza vaccine. Research shows that people who get vaccinated for the flu reduce the risk of a heart attack or a stroke by 50% during flu season.
Although flu shot will not prevent COVID-19, it can prevent influenza and reduce the severity of the case of flu. When fewer people spread the flu, it means fewer people will be treated and more medical resources available for actual confirmed cases of COVID-19.
Influenza virus can be dangerous for heart patients as it can cause an inflammatory reaction all over the body of the patient. The inflammation irritates the inner lining of the arteries. Strained arteries are filled with plaque build-up. This inflammation will lead to tearing arteries. A blood clot formed thereof will block blood flow to heart and brain, leading to a heart attack or a stroke.
Medications
Considering the need of social distancing and limiting the spread of COVID-19, do check the supply of prescriptions and stock. Heart patients must not forget the medication schedule. They must not remain unattached from the health care provider.
If the age is above 75, then stopping some drugs increases the risk of going to the hospital for a cardiac issue by one-third. Therefore, it is very advisable to continue regular drugs use to stay away from hospitals
Maintain a healthy diet, weight
Keep weight gain under check. It is important during stressful times, especially for the heart. People having a heart-related issue must weigh them daily at the same time with the same scale, with a constant amount of clothes. People may find it easiest to do in the morning as and when they first get up in the morning.
Trying to keep your weight stable is necessary. For this, eating meals that have extra salt in them must be avoided during the difficult time of COVID-19.
Regarding healthy weight, you must follow four A’s. The people need to know about these A’s in their modern diet:
Avoid Addictive food for healthy heart
Addictive foods that include processed foods like chips and market-bought cookies provide a high in energy from the fat and the sugar which is contained in it. It creates the urge to eat them again and again.
Add-on calories
Add-on calories often come from food items like sugary drinks and alcohol. Heart patients must pay attention to what they drink and eat during the day.
Automatic food
Foods that people eat without thinking like bread, chips, and salsa, which are served before a meal, also contain sugar and fats.
Adulterated food
Foods that look better than they are because of the presence of chemicals and processing used to produce them are called adulterated foods. These are not healthy additions to the diet.
Keep up the exercise for healthy heart
People should continue their recommended exercise routines (if they do not have COVID-19 symptoms). It provides the comfort of keeping a routine. Regular exercise helps relieve stress and maintain body weight. Eating more at home without exercising will lead to weight gain.
Maintaining social interactions
It is important to have social interactions with elderly people. Interact with them through the phone, or any other digital media like video chat or email. They are many ways to stay connected and maintain social distance. It is an important role that must be played for their personal well-being and reduce levels of stress. It works both ways. They directly increase your health and healthy immune response by the elders. Do spread the awareness between them about the proper coughing into elbow and hand-washing steps to stop the spread of the virus.
Exercise for healthy heart
Gyms are closed. But plenty of options are still there to get a good workout at home. Any sort of exercise equipment, gathering dust in the house will do the trick. Just hop on a treadmill or yoga mat and a ball but remain indoors to maintain social distance.
Exercise can be getting outside and taking a walk. It is the need of the hour to remain distanced from friends and family. Although it is hard, you may take kids or spouse out for a walk with you as an exercising companion. In case you meet a friend or a neighbor during a walk, distance yourself 6 feet apart.
Sleep for healthy heart
During uncertainty and stress, sleep is crucial to allow the body to rest and heal. It is vital to practice good sleep hygiene. Try to go to bed at the same time every night. These days you might be sleeping a little bit later than you normally would because you have no rush to get to the office. You must try to get somewhere between seven and nine hours of sleep. This is the amount of sleep that most adults need. Do make this a regular part of your sleep regime.
Meditation for healthy heart
Meditation is the most effective way that helps promote sleep. There is a lot of shreds of evidence to prove that meditation can improve sleep that, in turn, helps you cope with stress and anxiety.
It is found that it helps turn off those hamster wheels of thoughts that keep rolling in our brains. It also helps us to get ready for the next day. It is not necessary to sit in Zen, cross-legged for three hours, thinking about meditation. It’s about five minutes where you just reset your brain. It can be done at the work desk. You can go to a quiet place like a poolside or a kitchen garden.
Diet for healthy heart
Having a healthy diet is always the most important thing, but it is getting even more, to look after during the COVID-19 pandemic. With more free time on hands and lesser options to go out, it is a good time to try dietary changes and start to make a difference in overall health. You must switch more salads and soups. But do not make huge changes to diet during the time of stress. Otherwise, you may feel depressed.