Choose simple diet and lifestyle changes for better heart health

(NC) Did you know that heart failure is a growing epidemic in Canada? One in five of us will develop the condition during our lifetime, but you can easily make some tweaks to your everyday lifestyle to improve your heart health now.

“Each year, 50,000 new patients are diagnosed with heart failure, and depending on the severity of symptoms, age and other factors, half of them will not survive five years,” says Dr. Gavin Arthur of the Heart & Stroke Foundation. “There is no cure yet, but if it is caught early, lifestyle changes and appropriate drug treatments can help you lead a normal and active life, stay out of hospital and live longer.”

Heart failure is the result of damage to the heart that weakens it and makes it less able to pump blood around the body effectively. One reason it is on the rise is that more people are surviving heart attacks and other acute heart conditions — but not without some lasting damage to their hearts. This damage, over time, makes them more susceptible to heart failure.

“Heart failure can greatly impact quality of life — many people face repeated hospitalizations and are unable to do everyday tasks,” notes Arthur. “Even a walk to the corner can become very difficult for many. However, progression of symptoms can be slowed if it is treated early with appropriate medication and careful attention to diet and lifestyle.”

To stay on top of your heart health, choose nutritious meals with lots of produce, find a fun physical activity to keep you active, and work on maintaining a healthy weight.

Learn more about heart failure, including the warning signs to watch for, online at heartandstroke.ca/heartfailure.