Basic Heart Care

Care for a heart patient by ensuring medication adherence, attending follow-ups and cardiac rehabilitation, and following a heart‑healthy diet low in salt, saturated fat and processed foods. Encourage regular, doctor‑approved activity, smoking cessation, weight and blood pressure monitoring, and stress control. Watch for warning signs (chest pain, breathlessness, swelling) and seek emergency care if they occur. Keep vaccinations and an emergency plan current.

The seven heart-healthy habits: 1) Eat a balanced, low-salt diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and healthy fats; 2) Exercise regularly (≈150 minutes moderate/week); 3) Maintain a healthy weight; 4) Don’t smoke and avoid secondhand smoke; 5) Limit alcohol; 6) Monitor and control blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar; 7) Manage stress and get adequate sleep.

1) Eat a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean protein; limit salt, sugar and saturated fat. 2) Exercise regularly (≈150 minutes/week). 3) Maintain a healthy weight. 4) Quit smoking. 5) Limit alcohol. 6) Control blood pressure. 7) Manage cholesterol. 8) Keep blood sugar in range. 9) Reduce stress and get adequate sleep. 10) Attend regular check-ups and take prescribed medications.

Seven ways to a healthy heart: eat a balanced diet high in fruits, vegetables and whole grains and low in salt and saturated fat; exercise 150 minutes per week at moderate intensity; quit smoking; maintain a healthy weight; control blood pressure; manage cholesterol and blood sugar; get regular health check-ups.

Foods that benefit the heart include oily fish (salmon, mackerel) for omega‑3s; whole grains and oats to lower cholesterol; nuts and seeds for healthy fats; legumes and beans for fiber; and plenty of fruits and vegetables, especially berries and leafy greens. Replace saturated fats with olive oil and limit salt, processed foods, and sugary drinks to support heart health.

A normal resting pulse rate for most adults is 60–100 beats per minute (bpm). Well‑trained athletes often have resting rates as low as 40–60 bpm. Children and infants have higher normal rates that vary by age. Pulse can be influenced by activity, stress, medications, fever, and health conditions, so persistent values outside the usual ranges merit medical evaluation.