Heart Attack - Prevention






Some risk factors for heart attack cannot be controlled. There may be hereditary factors that make a person more or less likely to have CAD and a heart attack. However, many risk factors can be managed. Some ways a person can reduce the risk of CAD and heart attack are:

  • Eat a healthy diet that includes a variety of foods low in fat, low in cholesterol, and high in fiber. The diet should include plenty of fruits and vegetables, and limited sodium.
  • Get regular moderate exercise that lasts for thirty minutes, four or more times per week. Helpful forms of exercise include walking, jogging, cycling, and swimming. Everyday activities, such as active gardening, climbing stairs, and brisk housework, can also help.
  • Maintain a proper body weight by watching one's diet and exercising.
  • Stop smoking or don't start smoking. People who quit smoking gradually become less at risk for CAD and heart attack.
  • Adults should consume only moderate amounts of alcohol. In some adults moderate drinking is not necessarily bad for the body and may even help protect against CAD. Excessive drinking is bad, however, because it raises blood pressure and can produce toxins (poisons) in the body.
  • Adopt a more moderate lifestyle that reduces stress and anxiety. This kind of change may contribute to lower blood pressure and reduced risk of CAD and heart attack.
  • Take one aspirin tablet per day. Aspirin helps thin the blood and reduce the risk of a blood clot forming.

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