Coronary heart disease is a major cause of death around the world. About half of cardiac arrests and most strokes happen to individuals whose cholesterol levels are normal. Cholesterol alone is not a good way to tell if someone will have a stroke. Today, a lot of healthy people die young. Most of them don't know their family history as a risk factor for early heart disease. This can put them at risk.

In an exclusive interview with OnlyMyHealth, Dr. Ravi Kumar H.N., VP and Senior Pathologist at RV Metropolis Lab in Bengaluru, shares some tips on how to keep your heart healthy.

He says that many new tests, such as coronary risk profiles, are available. However, people do only cholesterol or Lipid profile tests and take it for granted that they are normal. Numerous other factors contribute to early heart attacks. These include obesity, lack of regular exercise, quality sleep, sedentary lifestyle, poor eating habits, anxiety, stress, smoking, high blood pressure (BP), and diabetes mellitus (DM)."

How to Maintain a Healthy Heart?

When it comes to maintaining a healthy heart, there are three key factors that you need to keep in mind: high blood pressure, diabetes, and your family's health history. Here's a closer look at each of these factors:

• High blood pressure is one of the leading contributors to heart disease. To manage your blood pressure levels effectively, you should aim for a balanced diet that is low in sodium and saturated fats. Regular exercise can also help lower your blood pressure over time.
• Diabetes can damage the arteries and increase the risk of developing heart disease. If you have been diagnosed with diabetes or prediabetes, make sure that you manage it carefully by eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly.
• Knowing your family's health history is crucial as genetics play an important role in determining your risk for developing heart disease. If there are any instances of heart disease within your family then make sure that you inform your doctor about this so they can monitor you more closely.
  
  By taking steps to control high blood pressure levels, managing diabetes carefully and keeping track of your family's medical history, you can maintain your cardiovascular health over time!

The Role of Cholesterol in Maintaining a Healthy Heart

Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that is essential for the proper functioning of your body. However, having high levels of cholesterol in your bloodstream can increase your risk of heart disease and stroke.

There are two types of cholesterol: LDL (low-density lipoprotein) and HDL (high-density lipoprotein). LDL cholesterol is often referred to as "bad" cholesterol because it can build up in the walls of arteries, leading to cardiovascular problems. HDL cholesterol, on the other hand, is known as "good" cholesterol because it helps remove excess LDL from the bloodstream.

To maintain your heart health, it's important to maintain a balance between these two types of cholesterol. You can do this by maintaining a healthy diet low in saturated and trans fats and high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein sources like fish or chicken breast.

If you have high levels of bad cholesterol despite making dietary changes, medications such as statins may be prescribed by your doctor to lower your risk for heart disease. It's important to speak with your healthcare provider about any concerns you may have regarding managing your blood lipid levels.

The Role of Homocysteine in Maintaining a Healthy Heart

Maintaining a healthy heart is essential for leading a happy and fulfilling life. By taking care of your blood pressure, managing diabetes, and being mindful of your family's health history, you can go a long way in preventing heart disease. But it's not just about these factors alone. You also need to pay attention to cholesterol levels and the role that homocysteine plays in maintaining a healthy heart.

Homocysteine is an amino acid found in your blood that can damage your arteries when its levels become too high. This damage can lead to blockages and increase the risk of heart attacks or strokes. Maintaining lower homocysteine levels through diet or supplements such as folic acid, vitamin B6, or B12 may help reduce this risk.

Conclusion

Maintaining your heart health requires commitment and effort. Following a balance between good and bad cholesterol is ideal for a good and healthy heart. It is also essential to maintain healthy homocysteine levels. It takes more than regular exercise and eating right; it demands consistent monitoring of all aspects of your lifestyle along with medical intervention when necessary. But by making small changes over time, like cutting out processed foods or reducing stress levels, you can improve the overall quality of life while mitigating risks associated with cardiovascular disease!