“The heart is the best guide,” said the famous 19th-century French writer Honoré de Balzac. He was most likely right, but the heart will point the right way only if it is healthy. So how should we care for our heart so that we can enjoy life freely and avoid heart disease?

The heart is not only a source of inspiration for creators but also the body's most important muscle, working tirelessly to the very last minute. Heart health directly affects our wellbeing, quality of life and even lifespan, so we're rushing to share 5 tips to help keep your heart healthy.

1. Less stress. The saying “all illness comes from stress” really isn't plucked out of thin air. Hypertension and myocardial infarction are just a couple of the many conditions linked to stress. Although stress is an unavoidable part of everyday life, very intense negative emotions and tension have a strong effect on the heart, so it's better to protect it. After work, relax in a hot bath, try meditation or yoga, avoid working overtime, and change your surroundings on your days off.
2. Be active every day. Research shows that as many as 70% of adults don't move enough. Low physical activity is one of the biggest factors in heart disease (especially coronary heart disease). There's really no need to overdo it, but movement and simple exercise improve physical and emotional wellbeing, strengthen the muscles and activate the heart.
3. Pay attention to nutrition. Cardiovascular disease is a very pressing problem in Lithuania and one of the most common causes of death. Poor nutrition also contributes to the “epidemic” of these diseases. A high intake of fat and cholesterol harms the blood vessels and the heart. Doctors and nutritionists recommend pulses, which help reduce “bad cholesterol” and are rich in fibre, protein and antioxidants, as well as enjoying products rich in Omega-3 fatty acids (fish and nuts, for example).
4. Say goodbye to harmful habits. Unfortunately, smoking, immoderate alcohol consumption and similar “pleasures” considerably burden the heart's already challenging work. Nicotine increases the risk of coronary heart disease, and alcohol is linked to cardiovascular disease. So the doctors at AND klinika advise: give up harmful habits altogether, or at least indulge them as rarely as possible.
5. Don't forget prevention. Even the best diet and an active lifestyle can't guarantee that the heart will always beat to a healthy rhythm. “Preventing heart disease is an inseparable part of a healthy life. That's exactly why you shouldn't skip visits to the doctor,” warns AND klinika cardiologist Alma Čypienė. If you care about yourself, be sure to come in for a consultation, during which the experienced cardiologist A. Čypienė will assess your condition. After all, the best time to start caring for your heart is today!