HOME HEALTH GUIDE

Chronicle (Levin), 12 June 1947, Page 8

HOME HEALTH GUIDE

HEART TROUBLE IN MIDDLE AG_ ' (By the Department of Health.) Ohce ihe jkear.t is •damaged, it caimo. b'C niade anew. ' One can often live hap piiyat a lower levei of activity, anu avoid the distress signhls, the shortness of lMreath, lieart pain or palpitation anu swelling of feet. One way to pr^venL heart 'damag'e progressing to the stagi of causihg symptoius is to have periodic health examinatious. . On detecting tht heart damage early, and wliile the heart has still full puinping" capacity, advice can be given to ease up and keeq, the heart above the brealcdown stage. This is oue of the values' of health over hauls. . Two of the causes of heart disease from middle age onwards — arteriosclerosis, or hai-dening of the arteries, and higli blood pressure, can be postpondd or mitigated, or even avoided, by being sensible in one 's living as one nears 'the meridian of life. One's life needs a balanCe of sleep and recreation, leisure and work. No .crowding out of sleep and leisure. Seven or eight hours sleep daily pays. Recre ation must be suited to one 's capability. If tennis malces you short of breath and tired unduly, give it up for somethiiig less strenuous. Have a little spell after meals is another wise idea — no hard game or exercise on a full stomach. Have a short nap instead. But do have some exercise that you find suitable— maybe golf, or walking, or gardening, or what yoir will without diseomfort. Cut out the liurry about things — whether driving your motor car or yourself. You '11 last longer if you don't go pushing everyvvhere. And if there ;is an easy wayr to do a liard job, study it out. Don't be .ashamed of having little "Spells of cbmplete relaxation in the middle of any task. As to eating, mod eration in ainount and eating less fats, sweets and starchv foods is a good idea, especially for heavy weights. Fresh vegetables, fruit, milk, eheevSe ai^d eggs should be the kernal of the diet. , 'A sensible ordered plan of living, avoiding exce'ss and high-pressure bnstle gives one the best ehaiiee of healthy long living liearts.