Health for Body Mind and Soul

The heart is the main organ of the circulatory system. It is a strong and specialized muscle; it weighs between 10 and 11 ounces, and is about the size of a person’s fist. The heart’s purpose is to pump adequate amounts of blood at an adequate pressure to maintain constant circulation of the blood to all parts of the body (Lee, 1997).

Facts about Heart Disease & Disease Prevention

Benefits of Regular Physical Activity

Because the heart is a muscle it is necessary to keep it in good condition by regular physical activity (approximately 20 – 30 minutes daily or on most days of the week). Regular exercise increases the heart’s stroke volume (the amount of blood pumped with each heartbeat), and decreases the pulse rate, which allows the heart more time to rest between beats.

Diet and Healthy Heart

A heart healthy diet is an important element in reversing heart disease, maintaining a healthy heart, or preventing heart disease.

The heart pumps cells which make up the blood throughout the body. The bloodstream is made up of network of vessels (arteries and veins), which transport whatever is put in the system to all parts of the body. When the arteries become clogged due to a diet rich in fats, triglycerides and cholesterol, the heart is required to pump harder in order to maintain circulation.

According to Lee (1997) “Cholesterol is a thick, waxy substance which acts like wet cement in the bloodstream.” The slow build-up of cholesterol on the lining of the arteries results in hardening of the arteries. Cholesterol is beneficial for all living creatures, and the body also produces cholesterol. Cholesterol helps to “make the outer coating of cells; make bile acids which are necessary for the digestion of food in the intestine; and allows the body to make vitamin D and hormones, such as estrogen and testosterone (Harvard Health Publications). There are two types of cholesterol – HDL cholesterol (good) and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL– bad). Only animal products contain LDL cholesterol.

Saturated fats are especially harmful when animal products form part of the diet. Saturated fats produce retention of cholesterol in the blood, thereby raising cholesterol levels.

“The amount of fats in the blood (triglycerides) is another factor in maintaining a healthy heart” (Lee, 1997). High levels of triglycerides cause platelets and red blood cells to become sticky and clump together, which decrease the flow of oxygen, and increase the risk of clot formation. Eating refined sugar in the diet, and eating between meals produce increases in triglyceride levels (Lee, 1997).

For a healthy heart or to prevent heart disease, eat a plant-based diet, and exercise regularly.

The website does not provide medical or legal advice. This website is created for information purposes.