The Heart and Kidney health are two vital organs in our body which work in synchronization with each other for the proper functioning of the body. A happy heart beats strong and the kidneys clean the blood and keep the right amount of fluids circulating in the body which helps produce good overall health. Unfortunately, our busy, nutrition-deficient lifestyles and overall lack of activity do damage to both of these bodies too. It’s hard work, whether it’s eating right, or staying healthy, regular check-ups and stress and strain are part of it. We not only lower our risk of chronic disease, but also better our quality of life and length of life (Longevity).
The Value of a Healthy Heart
The heart is the body’s workhorse, sending oxygenated blood to every one of its cells. So without the heart pumping in some fashion, the body is not capable of living. And anything that’s good for the heart is likely to reduce the risk of serious conditions such as high blood pressure, stroke and coronary artery disease.
A strong, healthy heart also equals healthy circulation, so your whole body is getting what it needs i.e nutrients, oxygen — to be able to function on all cylinders. And on top of that, you need to have good mental and emotional health to have a good heart. Energy, mood and a certain amount of resilience to stress tend to be higher among those with a healthy heart.
Importance of Good Kidney Health
Kidneys may be the Rodney Dangerfields of the body (they get no respect), but they are vital to allowing the body to perform optimally. These bean-shaped organs help to filter out waste, balance electrolytes, control blood pressure and more, to say nothing of producing some important hormones.
Healthy kidneys equal healthy detoxing, healthy blood pressure and healthy body fluids. When the kidneys do not function optimally, toxins can accumulate in the body causing fatigue, swelling and if badly out of whack, serious life threatening conditions including kidney failure. Many years ago, maintaining kidney health was complicated. Luckily for all of us, this is no longer the case – a few hints to a healthy lifestyle as well as your daily care will keep them healthy!
How to determine good heart and kidney health?
Identifying it will indicate your symptoms of sound heart & kidney health, and let you prevent complications. A normal healthy heart is defined as being free from signs of illness (diseases), which make us sick. Just as we can enjoy a healthy heart with unremarkable heart rates and rhythms and the lungs able to get air in and out without dyspnea, you can quickly evaluate the kidney function from normal urine out put, no edema to the legs, no weight gain, no edema to the face, and good hydration balance.
Imaging scans and routine blood tests (such lipid, blood sugar and kidney function) tell us how your organs are functioning. Checkups are important, because a lot of the early issues with the heart and kidneys are silent and don’t cause any symptoms until it’s too late.
Tips for Good Heart Health:
1.Eat to the best of your Ability –Since those who are COVID positive, find it difficult to taste or smell food you should stay away from sugar and include fatty fish, whole grains, lean protein, nuts and seeds. It is best to avoid processed foods and sugary drinks and foods with trans fat.
2. Active Exercise- Your blood vessels improve oxygen flow and blood, as your stronger muscles in the heart when you perform at least thirty minutes of aerobic activity a week (at least 5 days a week).
3. Calm down- Blood pressure also goes up and your heart can be damaged by years of chronic stress. The mind is calmed with meditation, yoga and hobbies.
4. Quit Smoking and Limit the Booze- We know, record scratch, but smoking is bad for your arteries and excess alcohol is bad for your heart. Risks plummet within a few months of quitting.
5. Soft Sand The Fitness Tool- Preferred form of exercise counter naturally. Keep an eye on blood pressure and cholesterol. Stay on top of the big numbers. That’s where diet, exercise and, in some cases, drugs come in to hold values in check.
6. Stay At a Healthy Weight for Your Body- If you are overweight, heart disease is more likely. But stop bone-building behaviors like eating and moving, and you are stressed — a magnet for it.
7. Get a good night’s sleep- Being sleep deprived increases our blood pressure, slows down our metabolism and there is a greater possibility of heart attack. Get seven to eight hours of restful, restorative sleep at night.
Tips for Good Kidney Health:
1. Stay Hydrated- Those kidneys love water and flush out the junk; don’t encourage kidney stones by not drinking water. But don’t overdo it: that amount can put a stress on the kidneys.
2. Limit your Salt Intake- Sodium raises your blood pressure and hence strains your kidneys. Season with herbs and spices instead.
3. Select Kidney Friendly Foods to Eat- Fresh fruits and veggies, whole grains and lean proteins help minimize the burden on your kidneys.. Try to avoid processed food with all the added stuff.
4. Don’t Take Painkillers Unless You Have To–
NSAIDs and other drugs can harm kidney tissue. Use for a long time should be consulted.
5. Manage Blood Sugar Levels- Diabetes is the leading agent of kidney disease. A healthy diet and if needed regular checkups can stop the damage from becoming permanent.
6. Get Regular Exercise- Exercising Helps To Boost recovery for healthy blood circulation, control and function of the kidney.
7. Control alcohol and stop smoking- Both can cause blood to become disrupted and harm the kidney over time.
8. Visit Your Physician Regularly- Standard blood and urine tests can detect early indicators of kidney issues even before you are aware that any signs are evident.
FAQs:
Q1.Why is heart and kidney connected?
Ans. Blood goeth by the heart, and is strained by the kidneys. Poor heart health can be disruptive to the flow of blood to the kidneys, while kidney disease can elevate blood pressure and overburden the heart. Each one of them is dependent upon the other for its physiologic action.
Q2. Is it bad to drink too much water for your kidneys?
Ans. Yes, though dehydration is bad but excess water is worst, it lowers down the sodium in the blood leading to overburden of kidneys. The specific number can differ, yet for most adults 7 to 8 glasses a day is OK.
Q3. Symptoms of kidney disease – Usual signs of kidney disease?
Ans. Early symptoms of kidney disease are often very vague and nothing specific, and may include swollen ankles, fatigue, less frequent urination at night (nocturia), foamy urine, as well as high blood pressure. Kidney problems can be identified through standard screenings long before they reach that point in symptoms.
Q4. How often should I be tested for issues of the heart and kidneys?
Ans. Diabetics, people with high blood pressure or those with a family history of kidney disease should be tested for kidney function once a year.
Q5. What are the heart and kidney foods?
Ans. Foods that are good for your heart and kidney are:- leafy greens, berries, apples, omega-3-rich fatty fish, whole grains, olive oil, nuts and more