Women's Day Special: Top tips for a healthier heart

New Delhi: Women are delicate, weaker than men physically and emotionally. They face a multitude of health issues and have a high rate of underlying chronic conditions. Women are also more vulnerable than men to suffer from mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, stress, etc.

Certain conditions such as heart disease, osteoarthritis affect women more severely than men. This prompts women to be more cautious and make extra efforts when it comes to their health. Here are a few tips that women can follow everyday to help them stay safe and live well:

Eat a heart-healthy diet

Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables while paying attention to fiber and healthy fats. Opt for foods that are low in salt and sugar. Cut back on foods that contain trans fats, which can cause heart attacks.

Know your risks

Health conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol can increase your risk of heart disease. So, it is important to first understand your own risk factors and manage your conditions.

Check out for the signs and symptoms

Besides knowing your personal risk factors, watch out for the signs and symptoms associated with heart disease. These include: chest pain, shortness of breath, unusual fatigue, nausea or diziness, profuse sweating, anxiety, etc.

Embrace self-care

Make this a priority. No matter how busy you are, spare a few time everyday for physical, emotional and mental well-being.

Move more

At least aim for 30 minutes a day. Experts recommend five days a week of moderate exercise. But remember that even if you exercise for 30 minutes a day, being sedentary for the other 23 1/2 hours is really bad for your heart.

Quitting smoking is the single most crucial step you can take to protect the health of your heart.