According to the Regional Health Agency of Ile-de-France, strokes will be the third cause of mortality in France, with around 40,000 deaths each year (2024 figures). Furthermore, it is the leading cause of acquired disability and the second cause of intellectual decline. Not very reassuring numbers.
Many people are therefore afraid of being affected by cardiovascular diseases. The good news is that according to experts, two simple habits could greatly preserve your heart health. Here’s how.
How to improve your heart health?
While physical appearance is often prioritized, the most important thing is to take care of your heart. And you will see that the two are closely linked! It is often mentioned that to be healthy, you need to have a healthy and balanced lifestyle. This generally involves good nutrition and regular physical activity. But we sometimes forget another essential element: sleep. If you pay attention to these different aspects, know that a few simple habits can be implemented daily.
On Monday, April 13, the topic was discussed by Gérald Kierzek on the Télématin program on France 2. The emergency physician and medical columnist shared a European study, which states that by adding just 11 minutes of sleep and 5 minutes of daily physical activity, the risks of heart attack or stroke could decrease by 10%. Minor adjustments, but accessible to everyone, which could make a big difference in the long run.
How many hours of sleep are needed per night for good health?
As explained by Dr. Gérald Kierzek, this extensive study published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology is based on monitoring over 50,000 people for eight years. They have concluded that by combining 8 to 9 hours of sleep per night, regular physical activity, and a balanced diet, the risk of cardiovascular diseases could drop by up to 57%.
In summary, to take care of your heart, it is not necessary to make radical changes but to make small adjustments. Regarding nutrition, ensure it is varied enough and especially prioritize raw foods, with sufficient intake of fruits and vegetables, proteins, carbohydrates, and less unhealthy fats. The key is to combine this with 30 minutes of daily physical activity and enough hours of sleep. And while being perfect may be difficult, the study shows that simple gestures can really make a difference.
