Coronary heart disease is getting epidemic proportions due to rapid rise in stress levels in the family and work life. Irregular timings (stress and strain), lack of control over diet habits and smoking are the major reasons behind increase in incidence of heart patients.   How to prevent heart diseases:       Courtesy: Sciencebob. 1. 1 hour of brisk walking at the speed of 5-6 km daily.  2. High fibre and low fat diet. Eat fruits and green leaf vegetables. 3. Stay away from fast food restaurants. Never eat junk food like pizza etc.  4. Family history of Diabetes, Obesity, Hypertension and lipid disorders are more prone to heart diseases at an early age.5. Men above the age of 35 years and women over 40 years who are either smokers or alcoholics are at greater risk than normal persons.6. Strictly follow diet and exercise schedule.7. Meditation and Yoga help in reducing stress levels. 8. Controlling Blood pressure and Diabetes are essential.  7. Avoid lifting anything that weighs more than 3 kg.  8. While getting up from a chair, try not to put your body weight on your hands.  9. While getting up from bed, roll over to the edge, swing your legs to the floor and push your upper body up with your elbow. Sit on the side of the bed for a couple of minutes before getting up.  10. Avoid pushing and pulling heavy things, mowing, vacuuming or any activity that might put strain on the breast bone.  11. For 7-8 weeks after the attack of surgery, let others drive.  12. 80% of the heart patients can resume normal life through proper rehabilitation programme. Prevention is better than cure. Balance your family and work life.   Heart surgery patients – Proper Care 1. During the first 6-8 weeks after discharge, you may feel pain in the chest, shoulders and back. DON’T PANIC. These are healing pains. 2. Begin your walking programme 3-4 days after surgery. 3. Don’t over-exert yourself. 4. Never take a walk immediately after meals. 5. You can climb stairs from the day of discharge, but do so slowly. 6. Don’t begin household chores immediately.  … [Read more...]