4 Things Your Cardiologist Wants You to Know
Heart health is one of the most important aspects of healthcare in the United States. With the US having some of the highest incidence rates for heart disease, and heart related issues – approximately 1 in every 4 deaths is the fault of heart disease. And with such staggering statistics, keeping good cardiovascular health has never been as important as it is right now. Despite these numbers leaping off the page, many Americans are still living unhealthy lives – with poor diets and the sedentary lifestyle only possible in a first-world country such as the US. As the city’s top cardiology specialist Dr. Mikhail Kapchits of Advanced Cardiology Care, is constantly trying to educate his patients on a variety of important lifestyle changes that will not only improve their cardiovascular health, but their overall health and wellness as well. Here are the top lifestyle changes cardiology specialist Dr. Mikhail Kapchits and his team at Advanced Cardiology Care, offer their patients.
· Diet is Key – You are What You Eat
If you ask any cardiology specialist, they will tell you that nutrition is by far the number one risk factor responsible for health problems and even death throughout the entire US. At Advanced Cardiology Care, they recommend patients follow the American Heart Associations nutritional guidelines for lifestyle management. This diet advises that patients consume a diet that emphasizes vegetables, fruits, and whole grains – this also includes moderate consumption of, low-fat dairy items, poultry, fish, legumes, and some vegetable oils. As cardiology specialist Dr. Kapchits suggests, the diet says to limit the intake of high sodium foods, sugary beverages or sweets, and red meat. This diet is designed specifically to lower your risk of heart disease, as it is focused on the consumption of non-meat products and preaches fruits and vegetables. As per research, a highly plant-based diet is the only diet that can actually lower your risk of developing atherosclerosis.
· Stop Sitting All Day – Sedentary Lifestyles Are Killing Us
According to recent studies, those who sit for long periods of time throughout the day have a much higher rate of all-cause mortality – meaning death, by any and all causes, with heart disease being the highest. In addition, the incidence rates of mortality, are highest amongst those who not only sit for long periods of time, but do not take part in any type of exercise or very rarely exercise. Dr. Kapchits advises his patients who work office or desk jobs to get up for at least5-10 minutes every hour they are sitting down, in addition, especially if you are seated for long periods of time throughout the day, it is vital you have a stable exercise plan.
· Healthy Body Weight is Important
The BMI or body mass index is calculated as a ratio of your height and weight. While it isn’t a 100% accurate measure, as it doesn’t take into account your body composition, studies show that a BMI above 25 is considered overweight, while a BMI over 30 is considered to be obese. For an individual with a BMI above 25, the likelihood of them developing heart disease, diabetes, suffering a stroke, joint problems, and some cancers – are exponentially higher. Cardiology specialist Dr. Mikhail Kapchits recommends all his patients at Advanced Cardiology Care pay close attention to their bodyweight, and do everything they can, including diet & exercise to stay within the healthy weight range for their height. A healthy BMI should be anywhere from 18-25.
· Avoid Stress
Stress is the number one killer in the world and has been known to be a direct link to heart disease and heart attack risk. Studies show that individuals with high stress loads, suffering from mental issues such as PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) suffer from a highly increased risk of heart disease, and only when they sought out psychological treatment, for an extended period of time, were they able to cure their issues. Seek out help from a psychiatrist, try meditation and breathing exercises, and simply live a simpler, more stress-free life.
Heart health is one of the most important aspects of the US healthcare industry, and it is vital that you follow not only these four important lifestyle changes, but make regular cardiovascular health care appointments to get your blood work checked out. For more information about heart health, or to schedule a heart health consultation with Dr. Kapchits, contact Advanced Cardiology Care today.
