Cardiometabolic health: The new Horizon to a healthy life and desirable longevity
Cardiometabolic health is a measure of how well your body’s metabolism and cardiovascular system are functioning together. It is important for cardiometabolic health to be good because it can help to reduce your risk of developing heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and other chronic health conditions.
. The key components of cardiometabolic health include:
1. Obesity: Excess body fat, especially around the abdomen, is a major risk factor.
2. Insulin Resistance: The body’s cells don’t respond well to insulin, leading to elevated blood sugar levels.
3. High Blood Pressure (Hypertension): Increased pressure in the arteries, which strains the heart.
4. Abnormal Lipid Levels: High levels of LDL cholesterol (the “bad” cholesterol) and low levels of HDL cholesterol (the “good” cholesterol) can contribute to heart disease.
5. Inflammation: Chronic low-level inflammation in the body is associated with these conditions.
6. Fatty Liver Disease: Accumulation of fat in the liver, often linked to obesity.
7. Metabolic Syndrome: A combination of three or more of these factors, often occurring together.
According to Dr Saima Zafar, a Cardiometabolic specialist, who is the first Cardiologist in North Texas to be Board Certified in Obesity Medicine, managing these risk factors through lifestyle changes can help reduce the risk of developing cardiometabolic disease and its associated complications.
Regular medical check-ups are important for early detection and intervention.
The first thing you need is a complete evaluation by a Cardiometabolic specialist like Dr.Zafar.
After a detailed assessment with lab tests, a complete lifestyle and treatment plan is developed with a Road Map for the future. This includes labs, imaging and in patient with family history, genetic testing is done. Periodic follow up to see the impact of these steps is critical in order to stay on track to healthy living.
There are many things you can do to improve your cardiometabolic health, including:
- Eat a healthy diet. This means eating plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, and limiting processed foods, sugary drinks, and unhealthy fats. Try incorporating components of a Mediterranean diet in your daily life as it has shown to lower risk of heart disease
- Get regular exercise. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic activity each week. You should also do strength-training exercises that work all major muscle groups at least twice a week.
- Maintain a healthy weight. If you are overweight or obese, losing even a small amount of weight can improve your cardiometabolic health.
- Quit smoking. Smoking is a major risk factor for heart disease, stroke, and other chronic health conditions. Quitting smoking can greatly improve your cardiometabolic health.
- Get enough sleep. Most adults need 7-8 hours of sleep per night.
- Manage stress. Stress can lead to unhealthy behaviors, such as overeating and under exercising. Find healthy ways to manage stress, such as exercise, yoga, or meditation.
Improving your cardiometabolic health takes time and effort, but it is worth it. By making healthy lifestyle changes, you can reduce your risk of developing chronic health conditions and improve your overall health and well-being. Cardiometabolic diseases can lead to serious complications, such as heart attack, stroke, kidney failure, and blindness. However, many cardiometabolic diseases are preventable and treatable.
Take the first step and call Dr Zafar today at 972-962-2000 for an appointment to achieve the best Cardiometabolic health
