Cardiovascular diseases are a global concern, claiming around 17 million lives each year. That's huge! 😲 In China alone, over one million new cases of myocardial infarction (that's a fancy term for heart attacks) appear annually.
November 20: Mark Your Calendars 📅
Since 2014, November 20 has been China's Myocardial Infarction Treatment Day. It's all about spreading the word on heart health and making sure everyone knows how serious heart attacks can be.
Why the Cold Shoulder? 🥶
As the weather cools down, the risk of heart-related issues heats up. Experts are emphasizing the importance of switching up our lifestyles to protect our tickers.
Young Hearts, Listen Up! 🧡
Dr. Wang Liansheng, a top doc from Jiangsu Provincial People's Hospital, points out that more young folks are showing signs of heart disease. Blame it on modern living: junk food, late-night screen time, and sitting around all day.
\"Sitting for too long can mess with your body's energy use,\" says Dr. Wang. \"It can throw off your insulin levels, upping the chances of diabetes and high cholesterol—both bad news for your heart.\"
Wake-Up Call on Sleep Habits 😴
Spending too much time on your smartphone before bed? That blue light isn't doing you any favors. It can disrupt your sleep and throw your body's natural rhythm out of whack, which might impact your heart health.
Healthy Habits = Happy Heart 💖
Dr. Wang suggests embracing a Mediterranean-style diet. Think loads of fruits, veggies, lean proteins like poultry and fish, nuts, and whole grains. Cut back on salt, sugar, sugary drinks, and red meat. And swap in olive oil when you're cooking up a storm.
Exercise is key! Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate activity each week—brisk walks, anyone? 🏃♀️ Swimming's great too! Adding some strength training can boost your heart health even more. If you're desk-bound, make sure to stand up and move around every hour.
\"Staying active helps keep your weight, blood pressure, and cholesterol in check,\" Dr. Wang notes. \"These simple changes can seriously cut down your risk of heart disease.\"
Let's Show Our Hearts Some Love! 💕
By making these tweaks to our daily routines, we can keep our hearts healthy and strong. So let's get moving and start making heart-smart choices today!
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
