Know your heart and stay healthy

Millions of people worldwide die from cardiovascular disease every year. The impact is also significant in the Netherlands: almost 500,000 people live with heart failure, and half of them don't even know it. Monitoring your heart is therefore more important than ever.

What is heart failure?

Heart failure means that the heart no longer pumps well enough to supply the body with sufficient blood and oxygen.

This can be caused by weakened heart muscle, inability to relax properly, or by heart rhythm disturbances. Damage after a heart attack, high blood pressure, excessive alcohol consumption, or a hereditary condition can also play a role.

Common complaints include:

• Fatigue
• Shortness of breath
• Fluid retention
• Reduced ability to exercise

Because these complaints can also have other causes, heart failure often goes unnoticed for a long time.

Risk factors you shouldn't ignore

Certain factors significantly increase the risk of cardiovascular disease:

• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Diabetes
• Unhealthy lifestyle (smoking, obesity, excessive alcohol consumption, lack of exercise)

Good news: lifestyle choices make a big difference. Eating healthy, quitting smoking, exercising more, and drinking alcohol in moderation help keep your heart strong and healthy.

Arrhythmias: Pay attention to your heartbeat

A heart that beats irregularly or too fast doesn't feel good – and isn't. Arrhythmias significantly increase the risk of stroke. People with heart fibrillation are even five times more likely to have a stroke.

Signs to be aware of:

• Palpitations
• Dizziness
• Shortness of breath
• Extreme fatigue

Check your heartbeat regularly, especially after the age of fifty. This can be easily done with a smartwatch or by feeling your wrist.

Treatment and prevention

In many cases, arrhythmias can be treated effectively, for example, with a cardiac ablation. Often, one treatment is enough to significantly reduce symptoms.

But prevention is better than cure. Choose a healthy lifestyle:

• Eat a varied and healthy diet
• Get enough exercise
• Quit smoking
• Drink alcohol in moderation

Take care of your heart

Your heart works every day, without a break. By taking good care of your heart, you can often prevent or slow down heart failure and arrhythmias. Small adjustments in your daily life make a big difference.

Know your heart. Stay healthy.

We recommend Macrogenix supplements to our clients to support their health.