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Everybody wants a heart that's always in good shape but others don't even notice if there heart is in bad or good shape. Some are thinking that there heart is in good shape even though its not, some are afraid to check themselves or consult a doctor, so here's a checklist of things, for us to know if our heart is in good shape:

• Are you overweight?
• Are you diabetic?
• Do you have a high bad cholesterol level?
• Do you get tired easily?
• Do you live a sedentary lifestyle?
• Do you smoke?
• Do you have an immediate family member who has had a stroke or heart attack?
• Do you have hypertension?
• Are you over 55?

According to history and research, heart disease is one of the notorious killer of mankind. Heart disease is generally a lifestyle sickness. People now live a more sedentary life with jobs that afford them little or no physical activity. Such inactivity makes us prone to cardiovascular diseases. Some symptoms of heart disease could be a nonspecific as hyper acidity, flatulence, and abrupt weight gain or as dramatic as a feeling of heaviness on the chest. If you are easily fatigued or unable to go on with normal activity, go to the doctor. The key to a healthy heart is to take good care of it before you even feel any symptoms. Here are some simple tips on how to take good care of our heart:

Exercise regularly - The heart needs regular exercise not sudden burst of activity. Exercise at least once every two to three days. It is not advisable to play sports only on the weekends some experts say, as the sudden physical exertion will stress the heart.

Floss and maintain Oral hygiene - If you have pre-existing abnormal or infected heart valves, it is best to maintain oral hygiene. The unsanitary condition in your mouth and gum's can infect valves and lead to heart disease.

Maintain a healthy diet - Avoid food with lots of fat and preservatives that tend build up your cholesterol. Supplement with vitamins. If you can see the fat in the food, you can be sure it will affect your heart.

Watch the numbers - High blood pressure, hypertension, and high cholesterol level cab cause the heart to become abnormally larger and less efficient. Your LDL cholesterol levels or bad cholesterol should be 130 mg. or less per deciliter. If you have more than one risk factor, your cholesterol level should be less than 70 mg. per deciliter. Here are some numbers game for a healthy heart:

Blood pressure

• Normal: lower than 120/80
• PreHypertension: 120/80 to 139/89
• Hypertension: 140/90 and higher

Total Cholesterol

• Desirable: Less than 200 mg/dl
• Borderline high: 200 to 239
• High: 240 and up

HDL cholesterol

• Protective: 60 mg/dl and up
• Moderate risk: 40 to 59
• Major risk: below 40

LDL cholesterol

• Optimal: (particularly if you have other risk factors, like diabetes) Less than 100 mg/dl
• Near optimal: 100 to 129
• Borderline high: 130 to 159
• High: 160 and above

Blood glucose (Fasting)

• Healthy: less than 100 mg/dl
• Prediabetes: 100 to 125
• Diabetes: 126 or higher
  

Having a new healthy lifestyle can really make a difference in taking care of our heart.