Protecting Your Heart: Lifestyle Tips and the Role of Health Insurance

By Dr. Harold Adamson, Chief Executive Officer, Jubilee Health Insurance

The heart is one of the most vital organs in the human body, the engine that keeps life moving by delivering blood, oxygen, and nutrients throughout the body. Yet, cardiovascular disease remains one of the leading causes of illness globally and in Tanzania. According to the World Health Organization, approximately one-third of all deaths in the country are linked to non-communicable diseases, with heart disease being a major contributor.

The encouraging truth is that many of these risks can be reduced and even prevented through conscious lifestyle choices and proactive healthcare.

A heart-healthy lifestyle starts with what we eat. Choosing a balanced diet that includes a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins supports cardiovascular health. Limiting processed foods, salt, and sugar helps prevent high blood pressure, obesity, and other heart-related conditions. Even small, consistent changes such as replacing sugary drinks with water, adding more vegetables to your meals, or choosing whole grains can strengthen your heart and improve overall well-being overtime.

Physical activity plays a key role in keeping the heart strong. Engaging in moderate exercise like walking, cycling, or dancing for at least 30 minutes on most days helps strengthen the heart, improve circulation, and boost overall fitness. Daily habits such as taking the stairs, walking short distances, or stretching between tasks also contribute to keeping your body active and your heart resilient.

Stress can take a silent toll on heart health. Chronic stress raises blood pressure and affects the body’s natural balance. Incorporating stress management techniques such as mindfulness, meditation, spending time outdoors, or engaging in enjoyable activities helps maintain emotional balance and heart health. Avoiding smoking and moderating alcohol intake further reduces the likelihood of heart complications and enhances long-term wellness.

Regular health check-ups and screenings are vital for early detection and prevention. Monitoring your blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels allows timely action before conditions worsen. Health insurance plays a powerful role in supporting this proactive approach. At Jubilee Health Insurance, our plans provide access to preventive screenings, routine medical consultations, and personalized care making it easier and more affordable to stay in control of your heart health.

Wellness programs such as MaishaFiti empower individuals to maintain an active lifestyle, track fitness progress, and adopt sustainable healthy habits. Through such initiatives, staying well becomes not just a goal but a rewarding daily experience.

Protecting your heart is one of the most valuable investments you can make in yourself. Through balanced nutrition, regular physical activity, stress management, and preventive care supported by health insurance, you can build lasting habits that strengthen your body and enrich your life. Your heart works tirelessly for you, take time to care for it today, so it can keep supporting you for the years ahead.