You can protect your heart by living healthily.

Heart attacks and heart diseases, which are among the most common causes of death in the world, are increasingly being seen at younger ages, and there are many factors that increase the risk of heart attacks. Cardiologist Uzm. Dr. Veli Gökçe states that one of these factors is obesity and emphasizes that cardiovascular diseases can be prevented by choosing a healthy lifestyle.

In health systems, the cheapest and least painful method is to prevent people from getting sick, while treatment methods are riskier and more expensive than prevention. Therefore, lifestyle changes have become significantly more important in cardiology, according to Uzm. Dr. Veli Gökçe from Medicana Konya Hospital’s Cardiology Department, who explained ways to protect the heart through healthy living.

“Obesity triggers the heart”

It is known that cases of heart attacks seen in younger ages have increased recently. Cardiologist Dr. Veli Gökçe notes that it is essential to prevent obesity in order to avoid heart attacks, stating that obesity triggers not only heart and vascular diseases but also many chronic diseases. Uzm. Dr. Veli Gökçe recommends a Mediterranean diet for heart health, emphasizing that unhealthy eating and packaged foods are not good for the heart and continues:

“As the preference for packaged foods, which have replaced organic foods, increases, an increase in heart attack cases has also been observed. It is important to consume every fruit and vegetable in season and to eat organic foods made at home instead of packaged foods. Foods that are low in fiber and have been refined should not be preferred for heart health. A diet suitable for calorie, fiber, vitamin, and mineral needs should be followed. One should avoid ready-made foods as much as possible.”

In addition to unhealthy eating, changing living conditions also affect the heart, Uzm. Dr. Veli Gökçe explains, “The unhealthy eating, inactivity, and bad habits like alcohol and tobacco that have become prevalent due to the pace of daily life are other significant factors increasing the risk of heart attacks. With technological advancements, easy access to packaged foods, fiberless refined foods, and the obesity brought on by a sedentary lifestyle are emerging as causes of almost all diseases.”

“30-45 minutes of brisk walking is the most basic recommendation”

In addition to healthy eating, Uzm. Dr. Veli Gökçe points out that regular exercise also protects the heart, saying, “Exercise is important not only for the musculoskeletal system but also for normalizing cardiac values. Although there are various recommendations, taking 10,000 steps a day or 30-45 minutes of brisk walking are the most basic recommendations. Of course, other sports and cardio exercises can also be done.”