What Is the Importance of Healthy Heart?

Our heart works for 24 hours a day, without resting. When the heart stops working, various essential functions fail instantaneously as it provides your body with a steady blood flow which carries oxygen, hormones, fuel and other compounds with it. Knowing its significance, it is crucial to keep it healthy. Even though many people develop some form of the cardiovascular disease as they get older, it is not certain. A healthy lifestyle, especially when started at a young age, helps in preventing cardiovascular disorders.

What Are Cardiovascular Disorders?

Heart and blood vessel disorders are called cardiovascular disorders. They are of different types and the most common is atherosclerosis. It occurs as the buildup of plaques or fatty deposits in the walls of arteries. Due to the builds up of plaque, there is less space for the flow of blood throughout the body.

What Are the Common Signs of Cardiovascular Diseases?

Major symptoms that point to cardiovascular conditions include:

  • pressure or pain in the chest: Pain in the chest usually indicates a heart
  • Palpitations: Abnormal heartbeats along with other symptoms like fainting or fatigue can be a sign of serious condition as an arrhythmia.
  • Leg Pain: Peripheral artery disease usually results in fatigue and cramping in the legs with exertion.
  • Shortness of breath: Shortness of breath is the result of fluid backing up into the lungs from a failing heart. It usually gets worse by lying down.
  • Lightheadedness: The insufficient flow of blood to the brain can cause fainting or lightheadedness. This can be due to abnormal heart rate or insufficient cardiac output.
  • Fatigue: Fatigue is caused by the inadequate blood flow to the muscles and decreased the availability of oxygen because of the fluid in the lungs.

Can Cardiovascular Disorders Be Prevented?

Cardiovascular disorders can be prevented by:

  • Quitting smoking
  • Maintaining healthy body weight
  • Exercising regularly
  • Keeping your diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure under control
  • Managing your stress
  • Avoiding alcohol consumption

What Are the Benefits of Omega-3 in Preventing Cardiovascular Diseases?

Atherosclerosis is the major cause of cardiovascular disease. It is a disease in which fatty deposits (plaque) buildup on the inner sides of coronary arteries. Coronary arteries are the blood vessels, which supply the oxygen and nutrients to the heart muscles.  Over the course of time, the coronary arteries become narrow and the blood flow to the heart muscle is reduced due to the plaque. It can cause angina or cardiac arrest.

Atherosclerosis begins when the inside wall of an artery is injured by high levels of triglycerides and cholesterol or inflammation. It can also occur due to high blood pressure, diabetes or tobacco smoke.

The natural fish oil contains omega-3 fatty acids, which when substituted for saturated fatty acids can reduce cholesterol in the body. They can also decrease the inflammation throughout the body and can somewhat lower the blood pressure. Therefore, they help to decrease the blood clotting, irregular heartbeats and the risk of stroke and heart failure.