Heart Disease and Preventative Methods You Can Take
Given the prevalence of sedentary lifestyles these days, heart disease is fast emerging as the leading cause of death and disability around the globe. There are numerous risk factors that make certain individuals more susceptible to heart disease than others; these include modifiable risk factors such as obesity and non-modifiable risk factors such as genetics.
However, there are preventive measures that you can adopt to improve your heart health and lower the risk of heart disease in the long run.
Maintain a Heart-Healthy Diet
Include plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean meats, and fish in your everyday diet. Restrict your consumption of sugar, alcoholic beverages, and trans/saturated fats.
Quit Smoking
Smoking is one of the major risk factors associated with stroke, heart attack, and coronary heart disease. The chemicals present in tobacco can cause narrowing of the arteries due to the buildup of plaque. The condition is called atherosclerosis and can eventually lead to a heart attack.
In addition to this, smoking damages your organs, reduces the concentration of good cholesterol in the body, and elevates your blood pressure, causing stress to your arteries.
Exercise Regularly
Regular exercise is one of the most effective ways of managing your weight and making yourself less vulnerable to conditions that might have a detrimental effect on your heart. These conditions include hypertension, diabetes, and high cholesterol.
Experts recommend a minimum of 150 minutes of physical aerobic exercise per week. The key is to start slow and gradually increase the intensity, frequency, and duration of your workouts to achieve the best results.
Make Sure to Manage Your Stress
Research indicates an undeniable relationship between stress and a higher risk of coronary heart disease. Stress not only contributes to high blood pressure but may also considerably degrade your lifestyle by driving you to overeat, smoke more, or indulge in alcohol abuse.
As mentioned, unhealthy lifestyle habits may increase the chances of developing cardiovascular disease. Try managing your stress by taking up meditation, yoga, or any sport that helps you unwind. Get a good night’s sleep and steer clear of negative emotions whenever possible.
Go for Regular Health Check-Ups
Regular health check-ups are a smart way of identifying any health issues in their initial stages and nipping the problem in the bud. Get yourself screened for blood cholesterol levels, blood pressure, and diabetes to ensure that you are perfectly healthy and are not straining your cardiovascular system in any way.
In case the testing reveals an underlying issue, Dr. Sami will prescribe appropriate medication and suggest remedial lifestyle changes to better manage your condition. If kept in check, hypertension, high cholesterol, and diabetes may not lead to heart disease.
Since most heart conditions are linked to unhealthy lifestyle habits, making simple everyday changes can be very effective in preventing the risk of cardiovascular disease and ensuring a long and healthy life.
Contact Us for More Information Regarding Heart Disease
If you’re interested in learning more about ways to reduce your risk of a heart attack, multi-board-certified cardiologist Dr. Shehzad Sami is here to help. Contact our office to schedule your initial consultation today.