World Heart Day 2021: How to keep CVD at bay

September 29 is celebrated every year as the "World Heart Day". The name has been given by the World Heart Federation (WHF) globally in a bid to create an awareness among people about heart disease and CVD (Cardio Vascular Disease) - rated as the major causes of deaths around the world. Around 18.6 million lives are lost every year due to diseases linked to the heart.

The idea was conceived by Antoni Bayés de Luna, who was the president of WHF from 1997–99. The first World Heart Day was celebrated on September 24, 2000. This year, the federation's emphasis is to improve health by creating awareness (through digital promotions); prevention and management of CVD globally is the main goal of World Heart Day 2021. Some of the common reasons for developing the disease are: Obesity, smoking, high blood pressure, diabetes, air pollution, unhealthy lifestyle and stress. Other lesser known reasons are Chagas disease, and cardiac amyloidosis.

Here's some precautions that can be followed to avoid putting the heart at risk:

* Help your heart by eating healthy diet, rich in proteins, vitamins, like leafy green vegetables, whole grains, berries, walnuts, beans, avocado, fatty fish and fish oil and almonds.

* Do Yoga and breathing exercise regularly to maintain your normal heart rate.

* Reduce salt (sodium) intake in the diet; instead one can switch to rock salt or black salt. 

* Try to keep your weight on a healthy side so as to avoid obesity. 

* Avoid smoking and consuming tobacco, as it not only effects heart but is also a major cause of cancer. 

* Try to keep your cholesterol, blood pressure and diabetes in control. 

* Stay away from alcohol. If you have to take it, try it in moderate quantity. 

* Don't overeat.

* Stressful life is big no-no as it increases blood pressure and results in faster heart rate.

* Last and the best way is: Don't forget to eat choclates, though in moderate quantity. Cocoa in chocolate has antioxidants which if taken in moderate quantity helps in increasing good cholesterol and reduce the chances of developing blood clots.