The heart, which weighs about 8 to 10 ounces, is a hollow muscular organ that is located in the center of the chest.
“The heart’s only function is to pump blood,” explains The Merck Manual of Medical Information. “The right side of the heart pumps blood to the lungs, where oxygen is added to the blood and carbon dioxide is removed from it. The left side pumps blood to the rest of the body, where oxygen and nutrients are delivered to tissues and waste products are transferred to the blood for removal by other organs (such as the lungs and kidneys).”
Gender wise, men are more prone to heart disease than women. “Based on statistics, men also die earlier than women,” write Dr. Willie T. Ong and his wife, Liza, also a medical doctor, authors of How to Live Longer: Practical Health Tips from a Heart Doctor. “Our life expectancy is on the average 5 years shorter than females.”
The reasons for this are two-fold: genetics and lifestyle. “It has long been known that being a male is a risk factor for heart disease,” Dr. Ong explains. “This is especially true if one or both of your parents have heart disease.”
Some experts attribute the difference between men and women to behavioral and cultural factors. “Men are expected to work more and thus have to handle more stress and pressure,” says Dr. Ong. “They are also responsible for earning for the whole family. Young men are being groomed by society to be ‘macho’ and to hide their emotions.”
Men maybe braver than women but it’s the exact opposite when it comes to seeing a doctor. “Men also have greater fear of doctors than women, thus they see a doctor when it’s too late already,” Dr. Ong says.
Whether you are a man or woman, there are several ways you can protect your heart from diseases. “You know about the bad effects of cigarette smoking, alcohol, fatty foods and stress,” write the couple doctor in another book, Stay Younger, Live Healthier. “You know that you have to control your blood sugar and blood pressure to prevent diabetes and high blood pressure, respectively.”
But there’s more you can do to protect your heart. Dr. Ong, an internist and cardiologist, outlines 12 “unusual” tips. Let’s count the ways:
1 Buy household plants. Plants take carbon dioxide and give off oxygen, that’s elementary. In comparison, human beings produce carbon dioxide and need oxygen to live. “So, it’s just common sense that the more plants you have, the better it is for our polluted environment,” Dr. Ong explains. Try placing a few plants inside your house.
2 Get a pet dog. Studies show that dogs offer some benefit to people. Dogs give companionship and love to their owner. Cats are not as effective. “Dogs can help you become more active and exercise more [by walking the dog],” Dr. Ong says. “Patients who suffered a heart attack also recovered faster if they have a pet dog.
3 Floss and brush your teeth. Recent studies show that gum disease is associated with heart disease and may reduce your lifespan by three years. “Inflammation of the gums is related to inflammation of the heart arteries,” Dr. Ong says. “In addition, oral infection can also lead to a dangerous infection of the heart valves.” He suggests: “Brush your teeth after meals. Use a tongue cleaner. And remember to floss at least once a day.”
4 Try nasal breathing. Chinese medicine has proven: breathing through the nose, instead of the mouth, is more healthy. Just recently, some researchers have discovered the scientific explanation for the technique: It appears that nasal breathing stimulates the production of nitrous oxide, which is a beneficial gas that dilates the blood vessels of the body.
“Try deep and slow nasal breathing several times in the morning and at night,” Dr. Ong suggests. “Also, use your belly or diaphragm to breathe in [expand your waistline as your breath], and not your chest. You can suck in more oxygen this way.
“Here’s how to do it: Inhale slowly through the nose, hold your breath for a few seconds [to facilitate gas exchange in the lungs], then slowly exhale thorough the mouth. Do this whenever you are stressed. It’s good for the heart and increases the oxygen in your blood from 96 percent to 99 percent.”
5 Have supportive friends. Believe it or not, talking to a supportive friend for an hour is as effective as taking a tablet of pain reliever. “Good friends can reduce your stress level by up to 90 percent,” Dr. Ong says. “There is something heavenly in true and caring friends. Invest your time in building close friendships.”
6 Laugh 15 minutes a day. Laughter is the best medicine, Reader’s Digest claims. A study conducted by the University of California Irvine College of Medicine showed that after watching a funny video, the viewers’ mood improved dramatically.
What happens inside our bodies when we laugh? “The level of stress hormones [called cortisol] decreases, and the good hormones [called endorphins] increases,” Dr. Ong explains. “Endorphins are natural substances in the body that make you happy and boost your immune system.”
7 Be charitable. “Charitable people who suffered a heart attack tend to live longer compared to other patients who are not as charitable,” Dr. Ong says. “Perhaps, this is because charitable people have more social support and people praying for their recovery.” Similarly, a study showed that people who volunteer and help others have higher levels of happiness, self-esteem and better physical health.
8 Be in love. Married people or those with close relationships are generally happier compared to single people living alone. “If you don’t have a partner, then having a close friend, a pet or a hobby can be a substitute,” Dr. Ong says. “Indeed, some experts believe that being in love can prolong one’s life by as much as seven years.”
9 Have sex (if your doctor allows it). Healthy men who have sex three times a week can decrease their risk of a heart attack or stroke, studies show. Women who enjoy sex also tend to live longer than those who don’t.
“Studies also show that increasing your sexual activity from once a month to once a week also increases your general happiness,” Dr. Ong says. “Sex makes one feel good and happy. It’s also good exercise for the heart.”
Caution: “If you have a medical condition, get a clearance first from your doctor” before following this suggestion.
10 Eat two bananas a day. Bananas contain potassium, an essential mineral needed to regulate water balance, acidity level and blood pressure of the body. A lack of potassium may cause muscle weakness and irregular heartbeat. For the uninformed, bananas have zero sodium (good for high blood pressure) and zero fat and cholesterol (good for those with high cholesterol). Bananas also have tryptophan, which makes you feel happier. Two bananas a day will give you an equivalent of half a multivitamin.
11 Relax and sleep. “Take a vacation and travel if you can,” Dr. Ong suggests. “Whatever relaxes you is good for your heart. Sleeping and resting is another great way to boost your energies. The best sleep is at night for at least seven to eight hours. Try to be asleep from 11 p.m. to 3 a.m., because this is the time the body heals itself.”
12 Pray. People who have a strong sense of spirituality are 40 percent happier than those who don’t,” Dr. Ong contends. “People who hope for a brighter future and have a purpose in their lives tend to be happier and more fulfilled.”
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