Heart diseases or Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading cause of death in several countries across the world. Scientifically, heart diseases refer to any problem that affects your cardiovascular system. They are categorised into several different types and affect the heart and blood vessels in different ways.

Types Of Heart Diseases

• Coronary artery disease
• Congenital heart defects
• Arrhythmia
• Dilated cardiomyopathy
• Myocardial infarction
• Heart failure
• Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
• Mitral valve regurgitation
• Mitral valve prolapse
• Aortic stenosis

Are There Symptoms Of Heart Diseases Which Are Ignored?

There are some common signs and symptoms that may be indicative of heart disease but are snubbed. They include angina, chest pain, difficulty breathing, fatigue and lightheadedness, swelling due to fluid retention, or oedema. While these are common, there are others which often get snubbed.

Dr Shrey Kumar Srivastav, senior consultant, at Sharda Hospital underscored that there are certain atypical symptoms of heart diseases. "These subtle symptoms include fatigue, shortness of breath on early exertion, swelling in both lower legs, lightheadedness, jaw pain, and chest pain on exertion," he said. He added that women are more likely than men to experience atypical symptoms, such as indigestion, extreme fatigue, or upper abdominal pain, rather than classic chest pain. These silent signs are frequently overlooked or attributed to stress or aging, delaying diagnosis.

What Is A Lifestyle Change That Can Be Done?

As per Dr Srivastav, one impactful lifestyle change to improve heart health is committing to a brisk 30-minute walk daily. Regular walking helps lower blood pressure, manage weight, and boost circulation. Pair it with a heart-healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein for optimal cardiovascular benefits.

He also warned people against the damage of chronic stress. "Mental health issues like depression and anxiety can significantly impact heart health. Chronic stress, a common symptom of these conditions, can increase blood pressure, heart rate, and inflammation, all of which are risk factors for heart disease," he said.

What Is The Right Age For Checkups?

Regular health screenings are crucial for identifying silent heart conditions. As per Dr Srivastava, women are more at risk as compared to men when it comes to heart diseases. "Obesity is more prevalent in females than their male counterparts and is a greater risk factor for Heart failure in women with an increased tendency for HFpEF ( Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction)," he said. Therefore, women should start checkups earlier in their lives than men.

Women should start with a baseline assessment around age 30 and have regular checkups thereafter. For men, the beginning age stretches to 35.

While we continue to discuss the risk factors, here are 4 simple everyday activities that you can do to boost your heart health:

Wiggle Your Toes: A simple habit like wiggling your toes for 30 seconds every hour can help maintain healthy circulation.

Maintain Proper Posture: Posture plays a crucial role in respiratory and cardiovascular health.

Laugh More for a Healthier Heart: Laughter isn’t just good for the soul—it's great for your heart too! Studies have shown that laughter therapy can improve cardiovascular health and ease symptoms of heart disease.

Practice Gratitude Daily: By practising gratitude—such as keeping a journal or reflecting on positive moments—you can lower stress and anxiety.

Try Pursed Lip Breathing: Pursed lip breathing, a simple technique where you inhale deeply and exhale slowly as if blowing out birthday candles, can improve airflow and prevent airway collapse.

We have all heard the phrase ‘Money can’t buy happiness’ however many people do not agree with it. A lot of the troubles they face are due to financial difficulties, so having money could actually be a reason for their happiness. However, a new study shows that while you may be flourishing in life, you may not be as happy.

A new global study suggests that true well-being, or "flourishing," goes beyond simply being happy. Researchers from Baylor and Harvard universities surveyed over 207,000 people across 22 countries and Hong Kong to understand this broader concept.

It is now more than ever a chance to look at the mental health of the current living generations and what factors could affect it.

They looked at how people are doing in areas like their health, their sense of purpose, the strength of their character, and their connections with others, alongside just how happy they report being. This broader view helps us understand overall well-being in a more complete way than just focusing on happiness alone.

What Does It Reveal About The Mental Health Of Youngsters

One of the more concerning findings of this global study was that younger adults, across many of the countries surveyed, reported lower levels of overall flourishing compared to older adults. Many young people expressed that they didn't have a strong sense of purpose in their lives, which is a key component of flourishing.

However, there were some exceptions, with countries like Tanzania and Poland showing better flourishing scores among their younger populations, suggesting that cultural and societal factors might play a significant role in this age-related trend.

Experts suggest that increased competition for good jobs in developed countries could be a source of stress for younger individuals. Additionally, while richer countries often scored higher in financial security, they tended to rank lower in areas like relationships and a sense of meaning in life.

How Is Flourishing Different Than Happiness?

Their "Global Flourishing Study" looked at six important aspects of well-being: how happy people feel, their physical health, their sense of meaning in life, their character strengths, the quality of their relationships, and their financial security. By looking at all these areas together, the study aimed to create a more detailed understanding of what it means for people to be truly thriving in their lives across different cultures and countries.

The study revealed that Indonesia ranked highest in overall flourishing, followed by Mexico and the Philippines. Surprisingly, many countries that often top the World Happiness Report, such as Sweden and the United States, scored only in the middle range for flourishing.

Researchers point out that the findings raise important questions about how economic progress can be achieved without negatively impacting people's sense of purpose, the quality of their relationships, and their character development. Some of the most flourishing countries didn't even rank high in traditional happiness reports, indicating different factors contribute to overall well-being.

Going through chemotherapy can be very difficult for one’s body. To get better, chemo patients get sick regularly to ensure they get better. The Cleveland Clinic explains that side effects of chemo happen as the medicine used to destroy cancer cells can also often affect healthy cells. People experience extreme fatigue, nausea, hair loss, loss of appetite, weakened immune system etc. One of the reassurances is that normal cells can repair themselves allowing your body time to recover.

Another side effect of the treatment is the ‘brain fog’. According to the Mayo Clinic, it is characterized by trouble thinking and creating memories during and after the treatment. Some other symptoms of brain fog include trouble recalling what you’ve said to others or seen particular images and short-term memory loss issues. Experts do not know the cause of this side effect.

However, a new study revealed that having a loving and devoted partner can drastically improve brain fog symptoms in chemo patients.

A Partner’s Role In Chemo Management

Published in the Psychoneuroendocrinology journal, the research found that patients who reported having a fulfilling and happy intimate relationship were more likely to maintain their cognitive abilities and experience less of the mental fogginess often associated with chemotherapy treatment.

Based on their findings, the researchers suggest that therapy focused on strengthening the quality of a patient's relationship with their partner might be a helpful way to improve how well they handle the impact of chemotherapy on their thinking and memory skills.

For the study, researchers followed 48 women with breast cancer who were participating in a larger investigation looking at how chemotherapy affects the gut and brain. These patients underwent tests to assess their verbal skills, attention span, and short-term memory both before and after chemotherapy.

Satisfied Relationship = Preserved Brain Function

The key finding was that the more satisfied patients were with their relationship with their partner, the better their brain function held up while they were undergoing chemotherapy. This suggests a strong protective effect of a positive intimate connection on cognitive abilities during this challenging treatment period.

While general social support from friends and family also seemed to offer some benefit, the researchers noted that the link between a highly satisfying relationship and protected brain function was stronger and more consistent. This led them to believe that the intimate partnership is the most crucial social connection for cognitive well-being during chemotherapy.

Love Can Affect Chemo Treatment

The study also revealed that chemotherapy has an impact on the hormone oxytocin, often referred to as the "love hormone." Researchers found that levels of oxytocin in the blood significantly decreased while patients were receiving chemotherapy but returned to normal after the treatment was completed.

This temporary drop in oxytocin levels suggests that chemotherapy might be affecting the hypothalamus, which is the area of the brain responsible for producing this hormone that plays a role in social interactions and various other bodily functions.

Overall, the researchers concluded that supporting the intimate relationships of cancer patients through couples therapy could be just as important as providing other forms of support, such as support groups specifically for chemotherapy patients.

Incorporating enough fruits and vegetables into your daily meals can be a challenge—especially for those with picky palates. Yet, these plant-based foods are nutritional powerhouses, and one often overlooked leafy green in particular may deserve a second look: turnip greens.

A cup of cooked turnip greens contains fewer than 60 calories, but don’t let that fool you. This humble vegetable delivers an impressive 4.87 grams of protein, 5.05 grams of fibre, 39.1 milligrams of magnesium, 209 milligrams of calcium, and 29.7 milligrams of vitamin C. Despite this, its naturally bitter taste can be off-putting for many.

Kathleen Benson, a registered dietitian-nutritionist with Top Nutrition Coaching, says preparation is key. “You can toss turnip greens into soups or add them to a grain bowl with a tangy dressing to balance out the bitterness,” she suggests. A little creativity in the kitchen can go a long way in making these greens more palatable—and more beneficial to your health.

Why bother with turnip greens? Beyond their robust nutrient profile, they belong to the Brassicaceae family, also known as cruciferous vegetables. This puts them in the same league as kale, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts when it comes to health benefits. Among the most noteworthy is their potential to prevent cancer.

The cancer-fighting power of turnip greens is attributed to their glucosinolate content—naturally occurring compounds that can interfere with cancer development. A 2023 review in Medical Oncology emphasized their usefulness for both cancer prevention and treatment. Another review published in 2009 in Molecular Nutrition & Food Research noted a decreased cancer risk among people who regularly consumed these sulfur-rich compounds.

But the benefits don’t stop there. The calcium and magnesium in turnip greens support strong bones and play a vital role in maintaining healthy muscles, circulation, and nerve function. A 2011 study in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition also found that eating cruciferous vegetables like turnip greens may lower the risk of cardiovascular death for both men and women.

Vitamin C, another major nutrient found in turnip greens, is known for boosting immune health and aiding in tissue repair. This makes the vegetable an excellent ally in fighting off illness and helping the body heal from injury.

To make turnip greens more enjoyable, Benson recommends cooking methods that enhance their taste while preserving nutrients. Acidic ingredients like vinegar or lemon juice can "cut the bitterness." Garlic and olive oil not only add flavor but help the body absorb fat-soluble vitamins such as A and K. While cooking may slightly reduce the greens’ vitamin C content, Benson has a fix: "Adding a squeeze of lemon at the end can brighten the flavor even more and help preserve some of the vitamin C in the dish."

Turnip greens might not be the first vegetable that comes to mind, but with the right preparation, they can be both delicious and incredibly good for your health.