7 Simple Ways You Can Do to Prevent a Heart Attack
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Heart disease is the No.1 leading cause that takes people’s lives. Though some certain risks of heart problem, including your age, gender and family medical history, can’t be changed, it is possible to lower your risk and prevent a heart attack by making changes in the way you live your life. When you choose healthy behaviors, you can lower your heart disease risk while also preventing other serious chronic conditions like diabetes and some kinds of cancer. Keep it in mind: you are never too old to making healthy choices for your heart.
Here’s the list of healthy-heart lifestyles you should follow, from eating heart-healthy diet to exercising regularly, add just one of them to your life, and add another once you make it your daily habits, and your entire body will be better for it.
1. Choose good nutrition
A healthy diet is one of the best weapons you have to fight cardiovascular disease. Eating well can lower your risk of heart disease by improving heart health, keeping your blood sugar level, and boosting your energy. Heart health is important because it helps prevent heart attacks and strokes. A diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy products, lean meats, fish and poultry, will provide you with the nutrients you need to gain strength, stay healthy and reduce the risk of heart disease. There are many healthy and heart-friendly recipes to choose from, many of them can be made easily at home. A heart-healthy eating plan is an important part of any heart-healthy lifestyle. Choose a healthy meal plan, make a grocery list, plan ahead what you are going to eat, and keep healthy snacks around. Another important thing to remember is to drink water. Water is essential for life, and it can help reduce the risk of heart disease.
2. Maintain a healthy weight
People who are obese are at a greater risk of developing heart disease. Excess fat is associated with an increase in blood pressure, cholesterol, triglycerides and insulin resistance. Studies have shown that losing just 5% of your body weight can decrease your risk of heart disease by 18%. Another study found that people who maintain a healthy body weight have a 50% lower risk of dying of heart attack than those who are obese. So, instead of depriving yourself of all the things you love to eat, maintain a healthy body weight by eating a balanced diet that includes lean proteins, complex carbohydrates, and fibre. Limit your intake of saturated fats, trans fats, and sugar, and you’ll be on your way to living a heart-healthy lifestyle.
3. Don’t smoke
Smoking is the leading cause of preventable illness and death in the United States, according to the CDC. More than half of all heart attacks are caused by smoking. Stop smoking now, and you can reduce your risk of heart disease by 50%. Studies have shown that quitting smoking immediately reduces the risk of heart attack by 50%. Quitting smoking obviously isn’t easy, but it is possible. You can reduce your risk of heart disease by avoiding tobacco products. There are many ways you can do this, such as not smoking around people you love and not smoking in your car. If you need help quitting, there are many programs and treatments available. The best thing you can do is to talk to your doctor or pharmacist about how you can quit safely.
4. Limit alcohol intake
Alcohol is also a major contributor to heart disease. It can increase your blood pressure and cause your cholesterol levels to rise. It also increases the risk of developing a heart attack by narrowing the arteries and reducing blood flow to your heart. Although there are some studies that suggest that moderate drinking can have health benefits, there are many other studies that show that it can have the opposite effect. Moderate intake of alcohol is associated with an increased risk of heart disease. So, limit your intake and stick to non-alcoholic beverages if you choose to have a drink. If you do choose to drink alcohol, try to stick to low to moderate intake as well as make sure you don’t drink too much. Remember, the more you drink, the more you are risking.
5. Get yourself moving
A healthy lifestyle includes physical activity. This has been shown to improve your heart health, and prevent the risk of many diseases including heart disease. A recent study found that people who had at least 2 hours of daily physical activity had a 32% lower risk of dying from heart disease and a 55% lower risk of dying from any cause. The most important thing is to make sure you are getting the recommended amount of daily physical activity. A study found that those who were moderately active had a 50% lower risk of dying compared to those who were not physically active at all. Keeping a healthy diet and getting enough exercise are two of the best ways to prevent heart disease. However, it’s also important to remember to stay hydrated. Drinking water can help you feel full longer, so you don’t eat as much. It also helps clean your intestines, which can prevent deadly diseases like heart disease.
6. Manage stress and take some time off
Stress is one of the most common causes of anxiety, depression, and other mental health disorders. It can also cause physical health issues, such as heart disease. This can be prevented by practicing stress management techniques. Effective stress management involves learning how to identify and change the way you react to everyday stress situations. This helps to prevent you from feeling overwhelmed, angry, frustrated, and upset. Stress management should start with you recognising when you are experiencing stress and making an effort to find a way to let it go. For example, try breathing exercises, taking a walk, or doing yoga where you can let off steam without causing damage to other people or objects. You can also try journaling, visualization, or doing activities that require you to use your imagination.
7. Have a good sleep
Adequate sleep is the crucial to heart attack prevention. The chances of high blood pressure, obesity, and diabetes are increased with deprivation of sleep. These conditions can further increase the risk of heart diseases. On average, an adult requires seven hours of sound sleep per night. Also, ensure that you have a healthy sleep cycle. In case you experience any sleep disorder, make sure you get it treated to avoid further health complications.