“The doctor of the future will give no medicines, but will interest his patients in the care of the human frame, in diet, and in the causes and prevention of disease.” ~Thomas Edison
The heart is an amazing organ that pumps blood throughout the blood vessels by repeated rhythmic contractions. It was once thought to be the seat or center of our emotions and this of course may have led to the numerous songs, poetries, and stories written about it.

More importantly, however, because of the role it plays, one cannot help but to see it as the essence or the central core of our being.

In fact, this is borne out in the scriptures according to Matthew 22:35, when Jesus was asked by a lawyer, “Which is the greatest commandment in the law?” Jesus said to him, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul and all thy mind.”

Now, it is said that the average human heart beats 72 times a minute, 100,000 times a day, 3,600,000 times a year, and 2.5 billion times during an average life span of 66 years.

The truth is the heart is a vital organ within the body and if ignored it will be to our own peril. Therefore, it behooves us to treated it with care and protection.

The following tips are 10 ways to make a start in caring for your heart and nurturing it to good health.

1) Exercise

Physical exercise enhances our physical fitness and overall health and wellness. This should not be ignored or else it will be to our own detriment. A 30-minute exercise each day by simply walking can help tremendously in protecting one´s heart.

2) Physical Exam

One should schedule a yearly physical checkup with his or her doctor for reassurance of the status of their physical health or as a preemptive means in arresting any health problems before they become serious.

3) Eat Healthy

When it comes to the affairs of the heart, a healthy diet cannot be overemphasized. Part of that includes a diet of eating healthy fats – omega-3 fatty acids as well as lots of fruits and vegetables.

4) Watch your cholesterol and blood pressure levels

Ideally, one´s blood pressure should be at or below 130/85 where as triglyceride levels of 100 mg/dL (1.3mm d/L) or lower is considered optimal. To keep cholesterol levels down, one should eat foods that are low in saturated fat and trans fat. On the other hand, to lower blood pressure
a cut back in slat intake is a must.

5) Take your medicines

If one is taking prescription medications, it is important as a rule to comply with the instruction of one´s doctors.

6) Quit Smoking

Smoking raises the demands of the heart for oxygen, increases the viscosity level of blood, limit the ability of blood to transport oxygen among other debilitating conditions. Therefore, it is important to kick the habit.

7) Be aware of your genetic connections

It´s important to have some knowledge of one´s family history. If several close relatives within one´s family experienced a heart attack before age 60, one´s risk of a heart attack is increasingly higher; therefore, one should pay keen attention to the major risk factors for a heart attack.

8) Drink Water

Studies have shown that drinking six to eight-ounce glasses of water a day can contribute to the improvement of one´s overall health.

9) Avoid Chronic Stress

Our bodies react to stress by producing hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline. The outpouring of stress hormones can be debilitating and harmful,so it is important that one avoids unnecessary stress by limiting one´s exposure to bad news and stressful situation. Thinking positively helps!

10) Control your weight

Reducing and maintaining control of one´s weight is an important first step en route to having a healthy heart. This of course means eating less calories and engaging in some form of physical activities.

Yvad Billings, Staff Reporter