Understanding Health, Heart Health, and Nutrition

Health & Quality of Life Defined

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines health as a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.

• A person's health cannot be defined solely by physical condition.
• The idea of health should be ambitious, including positive elements such as overall well-being.

Factors Influencing Personal Health

Health depends on three key factors:

• Individual Lifestyle: Includes personal behaviors such as diet and physical activity.
• Environmental Factors: Includes social aspects like climate and pollution.
• Genetic Factors: Depends on inherited genes.

Understanding Myocardial Infarction

A myocardial infarction (heart attack) occurs when the flow of blood through a blood vessel is blocked, preventing blood from reaching the heart muscle.

Recognizing Heart Attack Symptoms

Symptoms typically begin with pain in the center of the chest, which may cause trouble breathing, dizziness, and sweating.

Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors

Epidemiology studies the distribution and causes of diseases. Key risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) include:

• High Cholesterol: Lipids are necessary for building cell membranes, but excess cholesterol can form clots in the arteries.
• High Blood Pressure (Hypertension): Measures the elasticity of artery walls.
• Age and Sex: Risk can be influenced by age and biological sex.
• Diabetes: Inability to regulate blood sugar levels, leading to excess sugar in the body.
• Smoking: Damages lungs and heart, and increases blood pressure.
• Obesity and Stress: Often linked to inadequate dietary habits and lifestyle pressures.

The Electrocardiogram (ECG) Explained

An electrocardiogram is a graphic record of the heart's electrical activity.

Measuring Blood Pressure Explained

Blood pressure is measured with a device that gauges the pressure exerted on artery walls. It has two key values:

• Systolic Pressure: The maximum pressure.
• Diastolic Pressure: The minimum pressure.

Principles of a Balanced Diet

A balanced diet is one that provides all necessary nutrients in appropriate quantities to maintain good health and a healthy weight.

Understanding Dietary Fats

• High Energy Content: Fats provide twice the energy of carbohydrates or proteins.
• Saturated Fats: Primarily from animal sources; excessive accumulation can increase blood cholesterol.
• Unsaturated Fats: Mostly plant-based and generally healthier, though excessive intake can still lead to obesity.

Benefits of the Mediterranean Diet

The Mediterranean diet is rich in carbohydrates like fruits, vegetables, cereals, pulses, and rice. It emphasizes proteins from fish over meat, and healthy fats such as olive oil and nuts. This diet is highly valued for its abundance of fiber-rich carbohydrates, vitamins, and beneficial fats.

Obesity & Body Mass Index (BMI)

The formula for Body Mass Index (BMI) is: Weight (kg) / Height (m)²