The Educational Package
Take Heart mercy mission is keen to work with schools on a variety of projects.
We would be delighted if schools could organise events to help raise funds to support our work, but we will also be working on educational projects with no obligation. These will include information about Sri Lanka, including its language, history, culture and geographical features, as well as information about the heart and healthy lifestyle advice to help young people live long and healthy lives.
For more information on Sri Lanka and our educational package check out our Kids Corner section.
Howwever here are our top ten healthy heart tips for all!!
1. Have a heart-healthy diet
You really are what you eat. If you regularly eat bacon and eggs, cheeseburgers, and chips, then you and your heart aren't going to be in the best condition.
2. Know your family medical history
Certain diseases and illnesses can be passed from generation to generation, and heart disease is one of them, If your father died from heart attack at the age of 50, then the chances are you may be headed down the same road. Even the healthiest of us cannot do anything about the genes we have inherited, so it is important to take action to cut the risk.
3. Do not smoke
Every smoker on the planet knows that it's not good for them. The problem is that it's really hard to give it up and almost half of patients who undergo surgery for lung cancer continue to smoke.
4. Exercise
When you lift weights, your muscles get stronger and healthier. Your heart is a muscle, so the same things hold true for it. Doctors recommend a minimum of 30 minutes exercise three times a week.
5. Preventive screenings
It is best to stop a problem before it becomes one.Health screenings can give you and your doctor a lot of information about how at risk you are for heart disease.
6. Lower your blood pressure
The first step in controlling your blood pressure is to have it checked on a regular basis. Once you find out you have high blood pressure, your doctor will ask you to eat less fatty foods, cult your salt intake, stop smoking if you are a smoker, exercisse and limit the amount of alcohol you drink.
7. Lower your cholestrol
There are two kinds of cholesterol - one good and one bad. The good one is produced in the liver and plays a vital role in the functioning of your body's cells. However, the second kind enters the walls of your blood vessels and if enough of it sticks around, it's called plaque. Over time, this plaque can rupture and block the vessels altogether - and then it could be heart attack time.
8. Sleep
In today's hectic world, it seems like some of our basic needs aren't often met - and sleep is one of them. Although it varies for everyone, doctors suggest that adults should try to get about eight hours sleep per night, and more for children.
9. Aspirin
People who have already had a heart attack are often advised to begin taking an aspirin a day to help prevent another one. The popular pain reliever, in low doses, works to help prevent clotting by thinning the blood. If your blood isn't clotting, you're less likely to have a heart attack.
10. Chill out
Everyone knows that being stressed out isn't a good feeling. However, it goes a little deeper than that - stress can actually have severe effects on your body.