Yes to Strong Heart, Lungs, and Kidneys!

Keeping our health in check is the ultimate game-changer for living our best lives, and a huge part of this is taking care of our vital organs. Our hearts, lungs, and kidneys are powerhouses that demand our attention and require proper medical care. Here are essential health insights you should be aware of:

Heart Health

Optimal heart health is crucial, and excessive alcohol consumption can negatively affect it. Common heart problems include coronary artery disease (CAD), hypertension, and heart failure.

Make your heart healthier by:

• Controlling your sodium intake. Salt increases blood volume, so less salt can mitigate blood pressure issues. Cooking your meals and choosing water over soda can help limit sodium intake.
• Follow the DASH Diet. The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet emphasizes a  lifelong healthy diet. This involves cutting salt from your diet while incorporating potassium, calcium, and magnesium-rich foods.
• Lifestyle Adjustments: Limit alcohol intake and combat sedentary behavior. Research indicates that prolonged sitting negatively affects the heart–so take breaks to stand up and walk occasionally.

Incorporate a holistic approach, including regular exercise, a balanced diet, and abstaining from smoking and excessive drinking, to maintain a strong and healthy heart.

Respiratory health

Smoking presents a significant danger to respiratory health. The harmful chemicals found in cigarette smoke can cause various respiratory complications, including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and even lung cancer. It’s best to never get into the habit of smoking, but quitting at any time can greatly benefit your health.

Pollution can also negatively affect the health of your lungs. There isn’t much you can do about outdoor pollution except to avoid it whenever possible. But you can take steps to control and improve indoor air quality.

And as with your heart, exercise can greatly benefit your lungs! Sports like swimming can have an exceptional impact on the strength of your lungs.

Kidney Health

It’s good to be mindful of our dietary choices, particularly those high in fats and sodium. Neglecting kidney health can lead to various conditions such as chronic kidney disease, kidney stones, and urinary tract infections.

Surprisingly, though, the biggest risk factors affecting kidney health are hypertension, diabetes, and a family history of kidney failure. So, taking care of your cardiovascular health and controlling your blood sugar (if you’re diabetic) can go a long way toward a healthier kidney.

It’s also prudent to be cautious when taking over-the-counter medications, especially ibuprofen and acetaminophen. These medications can be especially harmful to the kidneys.

Finally,  regular medical check-ups can contribute greatly to the promotion of general health and the early detection of potential health problems. Make an appointment today via our 24/7 Teleconsult service to talk to a doctor on-demand. You can also make an appointment to see a doctor at any of our Primary Care Clinics near you.

References:

https://health.clevelandclinic.org/why-making-your-heart-work-harder-lowers-your-blood-pressure 

https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/wellness/protecting-your-lungs

https://health.clevelandclinic.org/7-secrets-to-keeping-your-kidneys-healthy-2

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