Cardiovascular Disease and Environmental Factors
The definition of Health has changed a lot over the years. For most people the word health means well being with regard to physical health and it also usually includes a good attitude and a healthy lifestyle. Some other meanings include well being with regards to emotional health. There are many definitions and they all have different meanings.
Wellness can be thought of as a state of optimal state or quality of life. It is the result of dealing with challenges and overcoming obstacles. The dictionary meaning of wellness is “existing in a condition that contributes to one’s well-being”. Wellness can refer to a variety of things. One important element in the definition is the presence of a comprehensive set of wellness practices. These practices may include:
Healthy diet and physical activity: Eating a well-balanced and healthy diet with an emphasis on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low fat dairy products helps maintain a healthy weight and promotes well-being. Regular exercise helps strengthen your bones and muscles and builds good health. Physical activity prevents obesity and provides a variety of other health benefits. Stress management is another important component of a healthy lifestyle. Managing stress helps you cope with stress and different types of diseases, including cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, stroke, and arthritis. A good caregiver can provide much needed emotional, physical, and spiritual wellness support to their loved one suffering from chronic diseases and can improve the quality of life for their loved ones.
A healthy lifestyle: People need to make healthy lifestyle choices. These choices include avoiding tobacco use and limit alcohol consumption. Studies have shown that nicotine, a substance found in cigarettes, can cause cancer and reduce the quality of life of an individual. Alcohol abuse also affects the quality of an individual’s life. Smoking causes other health services problems such as lung cancer and tooth decay.
Individual behavior modification: Individuals also need to change their individual behavior. This includes increasing the amount of physical activity, quitting smoking, and reducing the amount of caffeine intake. Studies have shown that a patient who makes changes to his or her behavior will begin to experience positive health benefits. This applies to heart disease, too, where individual behavior has been shown to affect the development of the cardiovascular system and decrease the chances of developing heart disease.
Environmental factors: Although environmental factors cannot be controlled, they do play a role in how a person performs on the cardiovascular system and has an overall effect on the quality of life. Smokers have poorer cardiovascular health than non-smokers. The environment can also cause changes to a person’s physical environment and psychological environment. For example, living in a neighborhood that is considered to be unhealthy can decrease an individual’s physical activity. Additionally, poor physical environment can lead to increased exposure to airborne allergens that can cause symptoms of asthma and other diseases.