Healthy habits today lead to a healthy heart tomorrow. Your heart is the most precious part of the organ.

The health of your heart is central to your overall well-being. A healthy heart not only ensures a longer life but also enhances your quality of life. Identifying the signs of a healthy heart helps in preventive care and promotes better management of your cardiovascular health. 

A strong and healthy heart by regular checkups from the best heart hospital in Chennai is vital for a long, active life. 

This blog will guide you into the key signs of a healthy heart, how to maintain it, and why it matters in the bigger picture.

1. Steady and Strong Heartbeat

Your heartbeat pumps blood to your lungs and body. The electrical circuitry of your heart controls its rate of beat. A steady, strong heartbeat is one of the most significant indicators of good health of heart.

An adult's resting heart rate ranges from 60 to 100 beats per minute. Exercising causes a quicker heart rate and increased oxygen delivery to the muscles.

In some cases, structural or electrical disorders of the heart can cause the heart to beat too fast (tachycardia), too slow (bradycardia), or otherwise irregularly, causing heart palpitations. Palpitations Symptoms such as heart racing, fluttering, or heart pounding in your chest may potentially indicate arrhythmia.

To find your pulse without a heart rate track or watch, gently press your index and middle fingers against the artery. When you feel your pulse, count the number of beats in 15 seconds

No. of heartbeats in 15 secs * 4 = pulse rate

If you notice frequent irregularities, consult a cardiologist at a heart hospital in Chennai. Early detection can prevent complications.

2. Healthy Blood Pressure Levels

Maintaining blood pressure ensures a sign of good health of heart. Normal blood pressure levels can vary slightly by age, but the general standard for healthy blood pressure range is 120/80 mmHg for adults.

The highest value in a blood pressure reading is the systolic blood pressure, or low pressure that is less than 90/60 mmHg. High pressure, also known as diastolic blood pressure, is the lowest value in a blood pressure reading of 140/90 mmHg. High blood pressure can affect your heart health in several ways.

Women's normal blood pressure range is like men's: 120/80 mmHg. Pregnant women should try to keep their levels below 140/90 mmHg.

Lifestyle changes for better heart health include regular monitoring, a well-balanced diet, and physical activity, which can all help keep blood pressure within a safe, healthy range. But a hypertensive crisis needs immediate treatment from the best heart hospital in Chennai.

Blood Pressure Chart

Here’s a quick blood pressure chart to understand the ranges:

3. Good Cholesterol Levels

Maintaining good cholesterol levels is critical for heart health. Cholesterol levels show your risk for heart disease.

For better understanding, let's start this with a cholesterol levels by age chart: 

HDL (high-density lipoprotein) - good cholesterol

LDL (low-density lipoprotein) - bad cholesterol

Cholesterol is a lipid (fat) that helps in a variety of activities in the body. But too much cholesterol in the blood is dangerous. Normal cholesterol levels vary based on your age, ethnicity, and sex. A key component of healthy cholesterol is HDL (high-density lipoprotein), often referred to as "good cholesterol."

From the above chart, the cholesterol normal range is a total cholesterol level of >170 - 200 mg/dL. Also remember one thing your LDL value should be low, and your HDL value should be high. Females typically need more HDL than males. 

So basically, normal cholesterol with low LDL and high HDL are signs of good health of heart. To lower cholesterol, eat foods that promote a healthy heart, like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, which aid in maintaining good cholesterol levels. 

The American Heart Association advises adults to have their cholesterol examined every four to six years beginning at age 20. 

4. Ability to Exercise Without Excessive Fatigue

One of the key indicators of the health of heart is the ability to perform regular activities or exercise without experiencing excessive fatigue. If you can perform physical activities without feeling overly tired, it’s a good sign. A healthy target heart rate for exercise is usually between 50% and 85% of your maximum heart rate.

Heart-healthy exercise not only strengthens the heart but also increases endurance. Healthy heart yoga poses also have many positive effects on heart health. The American Heart Association and the American College of Sports Medicine recommend combining aerobic exercise with resistance training

Some of the heart health exercises to improve overall heart health and fitness.

BEST EXERCISES FOR HEART HEALTH

These are considered the best exercises for heart health, enhancing cardiovascular efficiency. Cardiovascular endurance shows how well your heart supports oxygen delivery during activity.

The American Heart Association generally advises these heart rate targets:

  1. Moderate exercise intensity: 50% to around 70% of your maximum heart rate.
  2. Vigorous exercise intensity: 70% to 85% of your maximum heart rate.

For heart patients, exercise must be approached carefully. A well-planned, effective healthy heart and exercise plan ensures the heart remains strong, promoting a long and healthy life.

5. Clear Arteries

Clear arteries are crucial for unimpeded blood flow to your heart and body. Clogged arteries, often caused by plaque buildup, can lead to severe conditions like heart attacks or strokes. Healthy arteries can lower the risk of heart attack, stroke, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. From this, it's clear that clear arteries are a sign of good heart health.

The British Heart Foundation recommends that a person limit their intake of saturated fats. Consuming unsaturated fats, omega-3 fatty acids, rich food and herbal teas can prevent bad cholesterol from forming plaque in arteries. The best supplements for maintaining heart health are vitamins D, C, and B3, which may help with plaque buildup in arteries.

To know if your arteries are healthy, a CT coronary angiogram is the best test to reveal plaque buildup and identify blockages in the arteries. You can visit and seek assistance from a heart hospital in Chennai for early intervention.

6. No Swelling in Legs or Feet

Lower-leg swelling (edema) is one of the potential symptoms of cardiac problems. When your heart isn't working properly, blood flow stops and accumulates in your ankles, feet, and leg veins. This is one of the symptoms of poor heart health to watch for. So if you don’t have this, you almost escaped from heart disease.

Preventing heart disease with daily habits like reducing the amount of salt in the diet, increasing or maintaining physical activity levels.

Maintaining the health of heart through proper exercise, diet, and regular care can prevent such complications. But in case you experience persistent swelling, especially when accompanied by shortness of breath or fatigue, it may also signal the signs of a heart attack or worsening heart function.

Consult a doctor at the best cardiac hospital Chennai promptly to rule out serious conditions like heart failure or other early signs of heart disease. Addressing these symptoms early ensures better cardiovascular health and overall well-being.

7. Stable Energy Levels

Another sign of good heart health is having plenty of energy throughout the day.

Fatigue can make you feel constantly exhausted, making even simple tasks challenging. Activities like walking, carrying groceries, climbing stairs, or shopping may feel overwhelming and difficult to complete.

When your heart pumps blood efficiently, oxygen and nutrients are delivered throughout the body. This ensures you feel active and energized throughout the day. A heart that functions optimally reduces fatigue, allowing you to perform daily tasks with ease.

Heart health and exercise play a crucial role in maintaining energy levels. Regular physical activity strengthens the heart muscles, improves blood circulation, and boosts endurance.

Consistently stable energy levels signal that your heart is in good shape, fueling your body and mind to perform at their best. Prioritizing heart-healthy habits ensures sustained vitality and long-term well-being.

How to keep your heart healthy

  1. Eat a heart-healthy diet that includes a variety of foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and nuts. Limit trans fats, sodium, and added sugars. Drink plenty of water.
  2. Stay active and do physical activities for at least 2.5 hours per week. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise weekly. Approach healthcare professionals for a heart health diet plan for weight loss.
  3. Stay at a healthy weight, as obesity increases heart disease risk due to other factors. So it's necessary to reduce excess weight, as metabolism slows down in the 40s.
  4. Smoking damages your arteries, so quit smoking and stay away from secondhand smoke.
  5. Control your cholesterol, blood glucose (sugar), and blood pressure. Also, have your blood pressure and glucose levels monitored on a regular basis for you to plan the lifestyle changes you should take to have good heart health.
  6. Excessive alcohol consumption raises your blood pressure and is linked to 200 more different diseases, so it's good to avoid alcohol or drink only in moderation.
  7. Manage your stress level; you can practice meditation, deep breathing, or other relaxation techniques.
  8. So this is an unpopular fact. Yes, there is a connection between sleep and heart health. So it is a must to get enough sleep. If you are an adult, try to get 7 to 9 hours of sleep per night.

Last but not least, regular health checkups at a trusted heart hospital in Chennai ensure early detection and management of any issue.

Why It All Matters

A healthy heart forms the basis of a healthy body. When your heart works efficiently:

  1. Your body receives sufficient oxygen and nutrients, resulting in increased energy levels.
  2. It lowers the risk of chronic illnesses like diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity.
  3. You experience better mental health because endorphins are stimulated by physical activity, which is linked to heart health.

Taking care of your heart leads to a higher quality of life and increased longevity. Choosing the best cardiac hospital in Chennai for preventive care and treatment might make a big difference in your journey to heart health.

Take Charge of Your Heart Health with Oxymed

At Oxymed, the top Heart hospital in Chennai, we do regular checkups and specialize in advanced, non-invasive treatments to ensure a healthy heart and a better quality of life.

Your heart deserves the best care. 

Contact OxyMed now!

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