Strengthen the heart with a healthy diet and exercise

Shopping or working in the garden - with a healthy heart, none of this is a problem because the body receives enough oxygen. However, an illness can quickly change this and weaken the organ. But with the right diet and a little exercise, the heart can be strengthened.

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via Sabrina
04/10/2017, 11:10
Bewegung ist wichtig um das Herz zu stärken. Der Körper sollte aber nicht überfordert werden.© iStock
Exercise is important to strengthen the heart. However, the body should not be overtaxed.

If, after a heart attack, the cardiac output decreases or the heart muscle becomes abnormally enlarged over time, those affected have less strength and therefore find it difficult to cope with everyday life. This can even affect their lifespan. Last year, however, researchers made a discovery that could strengthen weak hearts!

The pathological cell growth is stopped

In tests with mice, the experts discovered that abnormally growing heart cells have one thing in common: A certain molecule is particularly abundant in them. If its activity is inhibited, the enlargement process can be stopped. Further studies must now be carried out to see whether this can also be achieved in humans. If this is possible, new drugs could be developed to strengthen the heart.

But it's not just diseases that reduce the heart's strength. Age also affects the heart and robs it of strength. Shortness of breath and rapid fatigue are typical symptoms. Fortunately, however, there are things we can do to strengthen a weak heart.

Exercise sprouts new blood vessels

One of the most important measures to strengthen the heart is exercise. New blood vessels even sprout in the heart! Endurance sports such as walking or cycling, three to four times a week for at least 30 minutes each time, are ideal. However, the body should never be overtaxed. One rule here is: make sure that you can still hold a conversation.

Strengthen the heart with the right diet

Nutrition plays an equally important role. If the body receives the right vital substances, such as omega-3 fatty acids, the blood vessels remain elastic for longer. The Mediterranean diet is particularly suitable. In other words, we should eat like the people of the Mediterranean: lots of fresh vegetables, salad, fruit, herbs, nuts, vegetable oils and fish.

The medicinal plant hawthorn has also been shown to strengthen the heart. But be careful! To really strengthen the heart, the dosage must be right! It should also be clear that the preparation is standardized, that the valuable ingredients are actually contained in sufficient quantities. This is the case, for example, with Crataegutt (pharmacy) with the standardized special extract WS 1442. Studies have shown that hawthorn extract WS 1442 helps well. Men and women who took it generally felt more powerful and energetic after around four weeks.