Celebrate World Heart Day on September 29th
At NY Foot Health, we know the health of your feet is dependent on the health of the rest of your body. World Heart Day is an excellent opportunity to focus on the importance of improving your cardiovascular health and its role in maintaining good podiatric health.
The Heart Sole Connection
A healthy heart pumps an incredible 2,000 gallons of blood through your body each day! This blood carries oxygen and other nutrients to all the tissues and cells in your body to function correctly and speed healing when there’s an injury. If there’s a slowdown in the circulation pipeline, your feet are often the first and worst affected by decreased blood flow because of their distance from the heart. There are three leading causes of heart disease, and half of all Americans have at least one of them. Fortunately, there’s something you can do about each of them.
Smoking—When you smoke, healthy oxygenated blood becomes polluted with the dangerous chemicals contained in cigarettes. These chemicals are known to harm blood vessels and decrease circulation, and they are also contributors to plaque buildup in your arteries. There are numerous smoking cessation programs available today. Talk to your doctor about finding the one that will help you quit for good.
High Blood Pressure—Think of those 2,000 gallons of blood again and imagine what happens when you increase the pressure as the blood travels through your veins and arteries. High blood pressure, especially if untreated for a long time can damage arteries and cause them to become narrow and potentially lead to an aneurysm forming. Losing weight, decreasing sodium in your diet, finding healthy ways to manage stress, and managing your blood pressure with medication as your doctor directs can all bring your numbers back into the safe zone.
High Cholesterol—This is a significant contributor to the plaque buildup in your arteries that restricts blood flow and leads to heart disease. For many people, dietary changes can significantly reduce cholesterol. Decreasing the amount of red meat and whole fat dairy products you eat, increasing soluble fiber (found in apples, oatmeal, and kidney beans), and drinking alcohol in moderation can help. Exercising regularly is another way to decrease cholesterol (and blood pressure).
Taking good care of your heart is a great way to guard the health of your feet. To learn more ways to be proactive about your podiatric health, contact us and subscribe to our free e-newsletter.