AKURAT.CO A heart attack occurs when something blocks the flow of blood to the heart so it can’t get the oxygen it needs. In the medical world, a heart attack is called a myocardial infarction (MI). “Myo” means muscle, while “cardiac” refers to the heart, and “infarction” means tissue death due to lack of blood supply.
Lifestyle changes are the first line of defense against a heart attack. Most of the major risk factors for heart disease are related in some way to lifestyle, including obesity, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels.
Following AKURAT.CO describe some of the most basic ways to prevent heart attacks, Wednesday (15/12/2021):
Blood pressure control
High blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart disease. It is important to have blood pressure checked regularly, at least once a year for most adults. You are advised to do it more often if you have high blood pressure. Take steps, including lifestyle changes, to prevent or control high blood pressure.
Control cholesterol and triglyceride levels
High cholesterol levels can clog arteries and increase the risk of coronary artery disease and heart attacks. Lifestyle changes and medications (if needed) can lower cholesterol. Triglycerides are another type of fat in the blood. High triglyceride levels can also increase the risk of coronary artery disease, especially in women.
Maintain an ideal weight
Being overweight or obese can increase your risk of heart disease. This is largely because it is linked to other heart disease risk factors, including high blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels, blood pressure, and diabetes. Controlling your weight can lower this risk.
Eat healthy food
Try to limit saturated fat, foods high in sodium, and added sugar. Eat lots of fresh fruit, vegetables, and whole grains. Diet Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) is an example of an eating plan that can help lower blood pressure and cholesterol. This is an important factor for lowering the risk of heart disease.
Regular exercise
Exercise has many benefits, including strengthening the heart and improving circulation. It can also help you maintain a healthy weight and lower cholesterol and blood pressure. All of these can lower the risk of heart disease.
Limit alcohol
Drinking too much alcohol can increase blood pressure. It also adds extra calories, which can lead to weight gain. Both increase the risk of heart disease. Men should not have more than two alcoholic drinks per day, while women should not have more than one.
Do not smoke
Smoking increases blood pressure and puts you at a higher risk for heart attacks and strokes. If you don’t smoke, don’t start. If you smoke, quit immediately to lower your risk of heart disease. You can talk to a healthcare provider for help in finding the best way to quit smoking.
Manage stress
Stress is strongly associated with heart disease in many ways. This can increase blood pressure. Extreme stress can even be a “trigger” for a heart attack. There are several factors that contribute to stress, such as overeating, drinking excessively, and smoking. While some ways to help manage stress include exercise, listening to music, focusing on something quiet or peaceful, and meditating.
Manage diabetes
Having diabetes will double your risk of heart disease. That’s because over time, high blood sugar caused by diabetes can damage the blood vessels and nerves that control the heart. So, it is important to have a diabetes test. If you have one, make sure to keep it under control.
Make sure you get enough sleep
If you don’t get enough sleep, you increase your risk of high blood pressure, obesity, and diabetes. These three things can increase the risk of heart disease. Most adults need seven to nine hours of sleep per night. Also make sure you have good sleep habits. If you have frequent sleep problems, contact your healthcare provider.
One sleep problem, sleep apnea can cause people to stop breathing several times during sleep. This interferes with the ability to get good rest and can increase the risk of heart disease.
Here are some tips to prevent you from having a heart attack.
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