Good blood circulation is essential for maintaining health. Imagine a sudden blood clot forming and blocking a blood vessel. Just thinking about it is frightening. When a blood vessel is blocked, it threatens life and can lead to disabilities such as heart disease and stroke (ischemic stroke or cerebral hemorrhage). People who develop blood clots are often overweight or obese. Why is that? Let's take another look at vascular health.

 

Be careful on chilly mornings if you have underlying health conditions... Why do blood clots form more easily?

 

These days, the large temperature fluctuations increase the risk of blood clots. When exposed to cold air in the morning, the body's sympathetic nervous system reacts strongly, causing the blood vessels (peripheral arteries) to constrict, which leads to increased blood pressure and heart rate. When body temperature drops, platelet issues make the blood thicker, making it easier for blood clots to form (according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency). Especially if you have hypertension, diabetes, or hyperlipidemia, your ability to control blood pressure is further compromised. If you have these underlying conditions, you should be very cautious during the period when mornings are chilly and temperatures rise during the day. Even pre-hypertension and pre-diabetes should not be taken lightly.

"Too many people with damaged blood vessels"... Heart disease, the leading cause of death from single-organ diseases

 

In 2022 alone, 1,833,320 people visited hospitals due to cardiovascular problems. This represents a 19.9% increase from 1,529,537 in 2018 (Korea Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service data). It is expected to increase further due to changes in eating habits. Cardiovascular diseases have a very high risk of death. They are the second leading cause of death in Korea after cancer. Cerebrovascular diseases rank fifth (2023 Statistics Korea data). Cancer includes various types such as lung and liver cancer, while heart disease is the leading single-organ disease. Over the past ten years, the number of deaths caused by heart and cerebrovascular diseases was highest during periods of large daily temperature fluctuations and the coldest winter days.

 

Importance of managing triglycerides and cholesterol... Why does belly fat also appear?

 

Diet is very important for the prevention and management of vascular disease. It is essential to prevent and manage the underlying conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia. Foods that raise blood pressure, such as salty foods, and fatty foods like meat fat, internal organs, and processed meats (sausages, ham, etc.) that increase triglycerides and cholesterol in the blood should be reduced. While salt intake is necessary, consuming two to three times the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended amount (less than 5g per day) is problematic. Such eating habits also lead to belly fat. This signals a warning for vascular and obesity management. Cigarettes, which constrict blood vessels, must be quit immediately.

 

You need to be selective about what you eat... exercising improves your blood vessels and helps you lose weight.

 

When you reach middle age, you should not eat as you did when you were young. You need to consistently consume dietary fiber (vegetables, fruits, seaweed) and legumes that reduce triglycerides and cholesterol. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency and the U.S. FDA have stated that consuming an appropriate amount of soy protein can help prevent heart disease. Once the heart muscle is damaged, it cannot recover, and complications can continuously develop. Prevention is the best approach for vascular disease, and if symptoms appear, you should change your eating habits and exercise. Exercising for more than 30 minutes a day, about five days a week, can improve your blood vessels and help you lose weight. Let's get up now and walk around the living room or office.

 

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Apple. Onion. Oat. They say it's a blood clot cleaner.

These days, apple flavor is really good.

Make sure to take care of yourself.

 

Vascular management is important.