Have a heart...Look after it!
Wednesday 04 February 2009
If you stopped to think about your heart – for just one moment (yes, now would be good a time as ever) – how it works and what it does every second, every minute, every hour, every day to keep you going, you’d realise just how amazing it is!
And once you know? Well, you’ll find it almost impossible to take it for granted!
In the run up to Valentines day, Closer Online have compiled a list of FABULOUS ways to keep your health interests at heart! (Please excuse the pun.)
Jet off into the sun – A Harvard study found people with low levels of Vitamin D are more prone to heart attacks. Researchers found those with low blood levels of the sunshine vitamin were twice as likely to suffer heart failure, a heart attack or a stroke than those with higher levels. The body produces the ‘sunshine vitamin’ when it’s exposed to sunlight so it’s a very good excuse to jet off on your jolly hols!
Dine with wine – A glass of wine a night may lead to a healthier heart. Research shows that it raises levels of omega-3 fats, which are known to be cardio-protective. Get sipping!
Chomp on chocolate – Just in case you needed an excuse….. Closer are extremely content knowing that chocolate has real healthy attributes – it can boost the level of heart-protecting antioxidants in the blood which can protect the heart and arteries from oxidative damage! Dark chocolate can boost levels of antioxidants in the blood by a whopping 20%! Get chomping!
Have sex! – It’s not just good, it’s good for you! There have been studies showing that sex lowers blood pressure, and might even protect against strokes because of its stress-relieving ability.
Laughter is the best medicine – It could really be, according to research presented to the American College of Cardiology! Laughing appears to boost your blood flow and researchers say it may reduce your risk of developing heart disease.
Sleep in – Sleeping enough can lower your risk of heart disease, a University of Chicago study has found. One extra hour of sleep a night could be enough to make a difference, according to the study, which adds to a growing body of evidence that too little sleep can have serious health consequences. Say goodbye to 5 hour kips…
Put some tunes on– Listening to your favorite music may be good for your cardiovascular system. Researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore have shown that the emotions aroused by joyful music have a healthy effect on blood vessel function!
Put the kettle on! – It’s now official that drinking black and green tea is good for the heart. The latest research has revealed that drinking tea reduces the chance of heart disese and stroke! The flavonoid antioxidants in tea ‘relax’ the inner lining of the blood vessels, allowing blood to flow more evenly. They can also decrease the tendancy of platelets in the blood to stick together, so they lessen the likelihood of a clot forming that could block arteries.