The statistics are heartbreaking. More than 1.3 million Canadians have heart disease, making it one of the leading causes of death in the country.
But as the adage goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. You can reduce your risk of heart disease by understanding - and reducing - the risk factors that cause it, such as smoking, overeating, lack of exercise, stress and high blood pressure, to name a few of the biggies.
The good news is there are many apps to help you adopt and maintain a healthier, heart-happy lifestyle. The following are some downloadable suggestions.
HIGHLIGHTS
- <30 DAys presents you with daily challenges to improve your health, such as going for a walk, for example.
- Withings Health Mate gauges your heart rate just with the touch of a screen, using the Withings Wireless Blood Pressure Monitor.
- Instant Heart Rate uses your smartphone's camera to measure your heart rate.
- Lose It! app helps you achieve fitness goals by allowing you to rack what you've eaten for the day, and advising on number calories allowed to obtain your goal.
<30 Days
From the Heart and STroke Foundation of Canada, the <30 Days app (iOS and Android) was built to lower your risk of heart disease and stroke, by presenting you with daily challenges. As you complete challenges - such as slowing down your eating, stretching while sitting at your desk, setting a long-term weight goal and putting a bowl of ready-to-eat fruit in the fridge - you'll unlock trivia questions that will boost your learning along the 30 days. You can track your completed challenges, badges earned and trivia answers, as well as your daily steps as calculated by your phone. The app includes reminders, positive reinforcement, tips and social support.
Withings Health Mate
With more than a quarter of the world's population affected by hypertension - as reported by a 2005 university study - there might be a desire for a blood pressure monitor to use at home or when on the go. The Withings Wireless Blood Pressure Monitor ($249.99) is a wireless accessory that works with a free app accessory that works with a free app for iOS and Android. Simply wrap the blood pressure cuff around your left or right arm, sit comfortably and then tap the screen to start the reding. Full results - including systole, diastole and heart rate numbers - are immediately displayed on the phone or tablet screen. Readings can also be saved and charted, if desired, and automatically synced with popular health sites, if you like.
Instant Heart Rate
If you don't hae a need for a blood pressure cuff but could benefit from a heart rate monitor - without the need to buy a wristband or chest strap - the free Instant Heart Rate from Azumio uses your smartphone's camera to find your target heart rate in mere seconds. Simply place your finger over the rear camera of your iPhone or Android device and the award-winning app measures your heart rate by analyzing colour changes on the tip of your finger.
After a few seconds you'll see your beats per minute (such as 73BPM), and see a real-time chart (PPG graph) that shows your every heart beat.
You can also set desired HR zones, add "tags" to your measurements, make note and share, if desired, to a physician, family member or friend. The app maker says the accuracy is constantly tested by doctors, nurses, EMTs, fitness coaches and others.
Lose It!
Available free from the App Store and Google Play. Lose It! is a handy tool to help you achieve your weight loss goals.
Use your fingertip to set a goal - such as "lose five pounds in one month" - and the the program will calculate what should be your caloric intake each day.
Type in what you've been eating(by food, such as "one medium apple," or even by brand, line one bowl of "Kraft macaroni and cheese"), and the app will automatically calculate the calories for you (and even fat, sodium, sugar and so on). Exercise is also factored into your daily routine, which allows you to consume more calories as a reward.
Full Fitness
Formerly iFitness, Toronto-made Full Fitness: Exercise Workout Trainer ($3.99; for iOS) is a full-featured workout companion that includes hundreds of exercises to master, each with clear text instructions, illustrations, photos and videos.
Exercises re divided by body region (arms, abdominals, legs, etc.), primry target areas (e.g. bleeps, quadriceps, glutes and so on) and equipment needed (such as dumbbells, kettlebells, bands, machines or none).
Add your own exercise or create a custom routine in the "my workouts" area, add photos and notes and then share your exercise with others.
by Marc Saltzman
from Toronto Star on February 4, 2016