A Cardiologist in Singapore has revealed five simple ways to relieve stress on the heart.
Heart doctor Michael MacDonald, who runs The Harley Street Heart and Vascular Centre, has laid down five tips for people who want to improve their heart health.
The heart specialist, who has lived and worked in Singapore for more than five years, said: “Reducing or managing stress will definitely play a key role in reducing the risk of heart disease. But this is just one thing to consider in the bigger picture of protecting your heart health.
“People who are experiencing stress will be experiencing a stress response in the body, which means that hormones like adrenaline and cortisol are released into the system, this affects blood pressure, the immune system and even the digestive system. When this happens day after day after day, it will damage the heart and the blood vessels.
“Stress will also lead to changes in lifestyle that can have a devastating impact on our health, like overeating, obesity, drinking too much alcohol, smoking and lack of exercise.
“Relieving stress will help our heart health, but I always explain to my patients that this is just one of a number of measures they need to consider. In clinic, we will look at the bigger picture – blood lipids, blood pressure, glucose profile, lifestyle, family history, obesity, stress and other health conditions that might impact the heart.
“Every single person’s risk factors will be very different when you take into account all of those areas, so it is important that any heart-disease risk management plan is tailor-made for the individual,” he added.
Dr Macdonald’s top tips for stress management are:
1. Making the Right Food and Drink Choices
Sugar is a big danger to heart health and acts as a stress on the bodies metabolism. Reducing sugar and processed foods and reducing alcohol and sugary drinks will have a positive impact on weight and cholesterol.
2. Sleep
Sleep is a wonder drug! It is the key to health and for the body to function properly. It is advised that people should get seven to eight hours a night. A lack of sleep can lead to unhealthy eating and drinking patterns, obesity, inflammation and effects almost all bodily symptoms in a negative way. If you don’t sleep enough it is very hard to cope with stressful events.
3. Exercise
Exercise helps with the whole circulatory system, keeping arteries and blood vessels healthy and even just a small amount has huge benefits on reducing disease and relieving stress.
4. Meditation
There is increasing evidence of the benefits of meditation on health and reducing stress. There are now lots of apps, where you can access guided meditations techniques.
5. Socialise
Many people who are stressed will not mix with their friends and family, this is the opposite of what you need to do. Isolation causes even more stress. Connecting with friends and family has a huge effect on stress reduction. A problem shared is a problem halved!
About Dr Michael MacDonald
Dr Michael MacDonald moved with his family to Singapore in 2015. Dr MacDonald’s vast experience and extensive training, includes a fellowship at the Scottish National Advanced Heart Failure and Transplant Unit and a Fellowship in cardiovascular MRI at Royal Brompton Hospital, London. He was appointed as Consultant Cardiologist at Western Infirmary, Glasgow, UK in 2013. He was elected Member of the Royal College of Physicians (MRCP) in 2004 and Fellow of the European Society of Cardiology (FESC) in 2010.
Media Contact
Company Name: Dr MacDonald Cardiologist
Contact Person: Dr. Michael MacDonald
Email: Send Email
Phone: +65 6235 5300
Address:11-07, 3 Mount Elizabeth
City: Singapore 228510
Country: Singapore
Website: https://heartdoctormacdonald.com/