World Health Day: Necessary Changes in Lifestyle to Prevent Health Risks

It's almost time when things are coming back to normal, World Health Day couldn’t have come at a better time! Two years back the coronavirus had sparked and the panic mode was on around the world.

The day in and out multiplying infectious patients within a short period of time had put the entire healthcare sector under pressure of performance and deliverance. With still the pandemic going on, diseases like heart, cancer, asthma are increasing along with a polluted planet, on World Health Day 2022, actions need to be taken to promote health. The changes in the epidemiological pattern in India have changed drastically past two decades, the epidemiological characteristics have transitioned from infectious diseases, diseases of undernutrition, and maternal and childhood diseases to non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Likewise, the Non-Communicable Diseases burden increased rapidly in India, along with a proportional rise in burden attributable to cardiovascular disease (CVD). Nearly two-thirds of the burden of NCD mortality in India is currently contributed by CVD-related conditions. CVD is the leading cause of death in all parts of India, including the poorer states and rural areas. This disease has been the leading cause of death around the world. Often it is associated with comorbidities such as obesity, abnormal lipid profiles, and insulin resistance.

Your lifestyle is not only your best defense against heart disease and stroke, it's also your responsibility. A heart-healthy lifestyle includes the ideas listed below. By following these simple steps, you can reduce all of the modifiable risk factors for heart disease, heart attack and stroke.

• Stop Smoking- Stopping the habit can result in a dramatic reduction in inflammation levels within just a few weeks
• Chose good nutritional supply for your body- Follow the dietary pattern, such as the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet, can relatively help to lower blood pressure. The DASH diet is specifically designed to lower blood pressure. It comprises fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy products, legumes, nuts, seeds, and lean meats. These foods are typically high in fiber and low in saturated fat, cholesterol, and sodium. According to research studies DASH diet can lower systolic blood pressure by about 8 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure by about 4 mm Hg, and reduce mortality.
• High Blood Cholesterol- Adding saturated fat in the diet and replacing saturated fat with polyunsaturated fat may lower cardiovascular risk. This means replacing butter, coconut oil, palm oil, shortening, or lard with olive, safflower, canola, corn, sesame, soybean, and sunflower oils. Also, the Mediterranean diet has been found to lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of CVD. This diet is rich in fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and whole grains, with limited consumption of red meat and sweets. Olive oil is the main source of dietary fat. Eating foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon, trout, tuna, herring, and mackerel, also helps to reduce heart disease risk
• Lower high blood pressure
• Physical activity on a daily basis- For all adults ages 18 to 64 they should engage in at least 30 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise per day. Activities such as brisk walking, running, swimming, biking, and other aerobic exercises are all good options.
• Controlled weight pattern
• Reduce Stress- Some people cope with stress in unhealthy ways, they either overeat, drink or smoke. Finding alternative ways to manage stress — such as physical activity, relaxation exercises or meditation — can help improve your health.
• Maintenace of Diabetes

Regular Health Screening-

High blood pressure and high cholesterol can damage the heart and blood vessels. Without testing, you probably won't know whether you are suffering from these conditions. Regular screening can tell you what action needs to be taken.

• Blood pressure- Pressure should be measured starting from the age of 18, and should be measured at least once every two years and check for high blood pressure as a risk factor for heart disease. If you have high blood pressure, then one must get screened every once a year.

• Cholesterol levels- Adults should get their cholesterol measured at least once every four to six years. Cholesterol screening should be started at an early age if you have other risk factors, such as a family history of early-onset heart disease.

• Type 2 diabetes screening- Diabetes is a risk factor for heart disease. If you have risk factors for diabetes, such as being overweight or having a family history of diabetes, you should get yourself checked at early stages.

If you have a condition such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure or diabetes, you can get all the screening devices required for keeping your health at check at Medikabazaar, which has the largest catalogue of medical supplies including cardiology equipment and devices for diagnosing diabetes. With the world’s most cutting-edge and advanced products from top global manufacturers, we hold the most extensive collection of ECG machines, Pen Needle, Insulin Syringes, Insulin Cooler, Glucometer for diagnostic solutions.