A relationship with your heart

This is one you don’t want to let go of…Published in Absolute Brighton

As Valentine´s Day arrives this month we will celebrate love, relationships…and hearts. Heart shaped sweeties, cards with hearts on them, and romantic gestures from the heart will be given away on the 14.

Since heart disease has been the number one killer in Britain and many other countries for the last 90 years, perhaps we should all take some time this month to celebrate our own hearts. This most essential of organs works hard for us by tirelessly pumping blood around the body, delivering nutrients and oxygen while carrying away waste. From the moment we are born to the moment of our death, our heart is there for us and certainly deserves an occasional “thank you”.

Heart disease is actually a build up of fatty deposits (plaque) within the walls of the arteries. As these deposits grow they hinder the flow of the blood, and therefore the transportation of vital nutrients and oxygen. The plaque can grow anywhere and cause a variety of problems, but the tiny arteries that thread through the heart are particularly susceptible to fatty deposit accumulation, and blockages in this area can result in a heart attack.

The good news is that with the exception of those born with congenital heart defects, most heart issues (heartbreaks not included) are entirely preventable! It is wise to have your blood pressure and cholesterol checked every five years, as high levels can be good warning signs for heart disease.

If you are a smoker, you are already aware that your addiction is dangerous. Everyone knows that cigarettes are the number one cause of lung cancer. In addition, smoking causes a large proportion of heart related problems. Now is always the best time to quit! Hypnotherapists and kinesiologists have a fantastic success rate for helping people kick this nasty habit. Furthermore, if you're single and searching for your valentine, cigarette breath may the reason.

Get your heart working! Our hearts are actually muscles and must be used. 30 minutes of exercise everyday, or an extended workout of an hour and a half 3 times a week will help to prevent future heartaches (and I don't mean those with someone you fancy). Taking brisk walks is one pleasurable way give your heart a workout. Jumping on a rebounder, (a small trampoline) gets the heart pumping, the circulatory system flowing, and the lymphatic system going. It is claimed that 10 minutes on a rebounder is equal to 25 minutes of running.

Put simply, a healthy and heart nurturing diet consists of eating food that you prepare yourself using ingredients that you know you are not intolerant to (via a food intolerance test). An absolute minimum of 5 fruits and vegetables should be consumed daily. Heart disease is less prevalent in countries where fish and olive oil are eaten regularly, so ensure that they are both part of your weekly diet. Oils heated on high temperatures should be used sparingly. Fibre (found in fruits, veg, seeds, nuts, brown rice, beans, and lentils) has been shown to control cholesterol and prevent heart disease. Lifeless foods such as sugar, white bread, and crisps should be kept to a minimum. With a diet like this you will be feeling and looking great for your special valentine.

There are certain supplements that have been proven to prevent heart disease. If you are taking heart medication, consult your doctor before supplementing. Vitamin E prevents the development of plaque and blood clots. Vitamin C keeps the arteries flexible, thins the blood, and lowers blood pressure. Folic acid, B12 and B6 lower homocysteine, which is an amino acid by-product linked to heart disease. Omega 3 fatty acids such as fish oil or flaxseed oil keep cholesterol in check, and magnesium stabilises heart rhythm. Ginko Biloba is great for the heart, circulation, and lowering cholesterol. If you feel that your heart needs some tender–loving care, it is advisable to see a practitioner who can work with your individual needs.

So this month, it's time to fall madly, deeply, passionately in love with your own heart. This is one relationship that you really don't want to end prematurely. Take care of it, nurture it, and be faithful to it till death do you part.