How Do You Prevent A Heart Attack

Cardiovascular Diseases: Avoiding Heart Attacks And Strokes

WHO estimates that more than 17.5 million people died of cardiovascular diseases such as heart attack or stroke in 2012. Contrary to popular belief, more than 3 out of 4 of these deaths occurred in low- and middle-income countries, and men and women were equally affected.

The good news, however, is that 80% of premature heart attacks and strokes are preventable. Healthy diet, regular physical activity, and not using tobacco products are the keys to prevention. Checking and controlling risk factors for heart disease and stroke such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and high blood sugar or diabetes is also very important.

Eat a healthy diet: A balanced diet is crucial to a healthy heart and circulation system. This should include plenty of fruit and vegetables, whole grains, lean meat, fish and pulses with restricted salt, sugar and fat intake. Alcohol should also be used in moderation.

Take regular physical activity: At least 30 minutes of regular physical activity every day helps to maintain cardiovascular fitness; at least 60 minutes on most days of the week helps to maintain healthy weight.

Avoid tobacco use: Tobacco in every form is very harmful to health – cigarettes, cigars, pipes, or chewable tobacco. Exposure to second-hand tobacco smoke is also dangerous. The risk of heart attack and stroke starts to drop immediately after a person stops using tobacco products, and can drop by as much as half after 1 year.

Fight Inflammation To Help Prevent Heart Disease

You probably already know that high cholesterol and blood pressure are major risk factors for heart disease. But do you know about inflammation? Recent research shows it plays a key role, and that working to reduce it can prevent heart attacks and strokes.

Just like were targeting blood pressure, cholesterol and blood glucose, we also need to target inflammation, says;Erin Michos, M.D., M.H.S., associate director of preventive cardiology for the;Ciccarone Center for the Prevention of Heart Disease. We all should be making an effort to reduce chronic inflammation in our bodies.

To protect your heart from the damaging effects of inflammation, heres what you need to know.

The Role Of Inflammation In Heart Disease

Inflammation is part of your bodys immune response to an illness or injury. When you have a wound or an infection, inflammation helps fight off germs and facilitates healing. Buildup of cholesterol and other substances in your arteries can set off an inflammatory response, too.

For short-term conditions, inflammation is helpful, explains Michos. But sustained low levels of inflammation irritate your blood vessels. Inflammation may promote the growth of plaques, loosen plaque in your arteries and trigger blood clots the primary cause of heart attacks and strokes.

When a blood clot blocks an artery to the heart, you have a;heart attack. If the blood clot blocks an artery to the brain, the result is a;stroke.

Also Check: Does Acid Reflux Cause Heart Palpitations

Consider Red Wine For Heart Health

Much has been made of the heart-health benefits of drinking red wine, but the evidence is still mixed. Some studies, such as one published in November 2018 in Nutrients, have shown that resveratrol, a substance found in red wine, may help decrease inflammation that adversely affects heart health. Red wine also contains antioxidants and may also raise levels of HDL in the blood. However, other evidence has suggested that, in moderation, alcohol of any kind such as beer, red or white wine, or hard spirits may help raise good cholesterol. And if you currently don’t drink alcohol, the possible boost to heart health isn’t a reason to start there are plenty of other ways to help your heart, such as regular exercise and a healthy diet. If you do drink, know that the heart benefits only apply if you drink in moderation, which is defined as one serving per day for women and two per day for men. A serving of alcohol equates to 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of hard spirits.

Medicines To Prevent Heart Attacks

Depending on your medical history, your doctor may also recommend certain medicines to reduce your heart attack risk.

Commonly prescribed drugs include:

Antiplatelet Drugs These drugs can also help prevent clots by preventing platelets in your blood from sticking together.

AspirinAspirin is the most widely used antiplatelet drug.

Angiotensen-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors ACE inhibitors lower blood pressure by expanding your blood vessels, which makes your heart’s work easier.

Beta-BlockersBeta-blockers slow your heart rate, lowering your blood pressure and reducing strain on your heart.

Calcium Channel Blockers Calcium channel blockers block the movement of calcium into your heart and blood vessels, which helps them relax and lowers blood pressure.

Diuretics Also known as water pills, diuretics lower your blood pressure by removing excess fluids and sodium from your body in your urine.

StatinsStatins help to lower levels of LDL cholesterol and triglycerides in your blood, which may reduce your risk of atherosclerosis .

You May Like: How Much Blood Does The Heart Pump

Lower High Blood Pressure

It’s a major risk factor for stroke;a leading cause of disability in the United States. Stroke recovery is difficult at best and you could be disabled for life. Shake that salt habit, take your medications as recommended by your doctor and get moving. Those numbers need to get down and stay down. An optimal blood pressure reading is less than 120/80 mmHg.

Visit High Blood Pressure.

Diet And High Blood Pressure

The advice on eating a healthy, balanced diet also applies if you have high blood pressure. In addition, cut down on the amount of salt in your food.

Salt raises blood pressure. The more salt you eat, the higher your blood pressure. You should aim to eat less than 6g of salt a day that’s around 1 teaspoonful.

Find out how to cut down on salt.

Eating a low-fat diet that includes lots of fibre such as wholegrain rice, bread, pasta and plenty of fruit and vegetables has been proven to help lower blood pressure. Fruit and vegetables also contain vital vitamins and minerals and help keep your body healthy.

You should aim to eat 5 portions of fruit and vegetables every day.

Find out more about getting your 5 A Day.

Don’t Miss: Can Acid Reflux Cause Heart Palpitations

Embrace Moments Of Positivity

Thinking positively “has a direct effect on a persons health. Some of the softer psychological risks can actually have hard outcomes,” said Dr. Collings, adding that “humor is often the best medicine.”

“There is data that show how we approach life in terms of positivity, how we interface with people in terms of creating connection and positive moments have direct physiological effects and health outcomes,” she said.

Know Your Heart Disease Numbers

Ask your doctor to check your blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels. Under the Affordable Care Act, most insurance plans must cover these tests at no cost to you. These tests will give you important information about your heart health. Your doctor can tell you what your numbers mean and what you need to do to protect your heart.

Read Also: Acid Reflux Heart Fluttering

Here Are A Few Simple Things That You Can Do To Prevent Your Heart From Getting A Blockage

Written by Debjani Arora | Updated : February 24, 2015 7:10 PM IST

Clogged arteries or atherosclerosis is one of the prime reasons for heart attack in many. While sedentary lifestyle, bad eating habits and lack of physical activity are often blamed for this condition, a lot can be done to reverse the outcome of these habits. Here are a few things that you can do to prevent blockage in your heart.

#1 Quit smoking: Smoking has always been linked to heart diseases. There are some 4,000 odd chemicals that are inhaled into the system when you smoke and they do no good to health. In fact, these chemicals constrict the arteries of the heart which leads to clogging. Secondhand smoke is equally dangerous and increases one s chances of blockage. Apart from this, environmental pollution is also responsible. The toxics inhaled from the environment are absorbed into the blood, causing inflammation in blood vessels, increased blood pressure, and clogged arteries. Here are 10 more reasons why smoking is bad for you.

When Do I Do If Someone Else Has A Heart Attack

An easy-to-use device called an AED is available in many public places and can be used by almost anyone to treat cardiac arrest. This device works by shocking the heart back into a normal rhythm.

Hereâs how to use an AED:

1. Check responsiveness

• For an adult or older child, shout and shake the person to confirm whether theyâre unconscious. Do not use AED on a conscious person.
• For an infant or young child, pinch their skin. Never shake a young child.
• Check breathing and pulse. If absent or uneven, prepare to use the AED as soon as possible.

2. Prepare to use AED

• Make sure the person is in a dry area and away from puddles or water.
• Check for body piercings or outline of an implanted medical device, such as a pacemaker or implantable defibrillator.
• AED pads must be placed at least 1 inch away from piercings or implanted devices.

3. Use AED

For newborns, infants, and children up to age 8, use a pediatric AED, if possible. If not, use an adult AED.

• Turn on the AED.
• Plug in connector, if necessary.
• Make sure no one is touching the person.
• Push the âAnalyzeâ button.
• If a shock is advised, check again to make sure no one is touching the person.
• Push the âShockâ button.
• Start or resume continue compressions.
• Follow AED prompts.

4. Continue CPR

You May Like: Can Reflux Cause Heart Palpitations

Water And Cayenne Pepper

Another online recommendation thats not effective is to drink a glass of water with a spoonful of cayenne pepper in it. Some people say cayenne pepper is a stimulant capable of increasing the heart rate and carrying blood all over the body, balancing circulation. Some claim that cayenne pepper can stop bleeding instantly.

There is no proof, however, that cayenne pepper or other types of pepper are useful when taken at the onset of a heart attack. Whats more, its not understood how capsaicin might interact with aspirin when taken during a heart attack and experts know that aspirin is helpful.

While you cant control all your heart attack risk factors, such as aging, gender , and heredity, there are some that you can control. To prevent your risk of a heart attack:

• Stop smoking and minimize your exposure to secondhand smoke.
• Get your high blood cholesterol and high blood pressure under control by modifying your diet, losing weight, taking medication, or doing a combination of these things.
• Stay physically active daily.
• Control your weight if youre overweight or obese.
• If you have diabetes, take care by sticking to your treatment plan and managing your blood sugar.
• Get a handle on the stress in your life by practicing relaxation techniques like deep breathing or yoga, or try talk therapy.
• Limit your alcohol consumption.

Take Any Prescribed Chest Pain Medication

If the person already takes medicine for chest pain, they should take it, or make sure they have already taken it, while they wait for the ambulance.

Medications that doctors might have prescribed for chest pain include:

• nitrates, such as Imdur
• beta-blockers, such as Metoprolol, Carvedilol, or Atenolol

Also Check: List The Steps Of How To Calculate Your Target Heart Rate Zone

Manage The Blood Pressure Levels:

This is also one of the best tips on how to prevent heart attack naturally that people should follow. Persistent;high blood pressure;can put your heart and your arteries under extra strain, making the risks of heart attacks increased unintentionally.

People can reduce the risk of high blood pressure levels by moderating the daily consumption of alcohol, following a healthy diet,;doing exercise regularly, and maintaining healthy weight.

Stay Active And Quit Smoking

Good lifestyle habits can keep your health on track. Regular, moderate-to-intense exercise is key to reducing cardiovascular disease risk. Be active for 30 minutes or more on most or all days of the week. If you smoke, quit. Smoking is the most preventable cause of death in the U.S. and contributes to heart disease and stroke. Use our tips to improve your chances of quitting smoking for good.

Also Check: Can Too Much Vitamin D Cause Heart Palpitations

Treatments For Related Conditions

Prevent heart attack by providing proper treatment for the conditions that is a risk factor:

• Hyperlipidemia lower the cholesterol by lifestyle changes, if not produce expected result have some medication to keep it close to normal ranges.
• High blood pressure take necessary steps or medications to keep it in control.
• Diabetes strictly follow lifestyle changes and have medications to keep it in the target range to avoid risk of heart attack and other diabetic long-term complications.

Adopt A Simple And Affordable Lifestyle To Prevent Heart Attacks

Many young and middle-aged people today are dying of sudden heart attacks. Studies show that cardiovascular diseases strike Indians a decade earlier compared to their Western counterparts.

Many young and middle-aged people today are dying of sudden heart attacks. Studies show that cardiovascular diseases strike Indians a decade earlier compared to their Western counterparts.

Why is this happening? How can we prevent it? Are we just focused on post-heart attack action? Or should we be focused more on prevention?

Luke Coutinho, Holistic Lifestyle Coach Integrative and Lifestyle Medicine shares an input that could prevent heart attacks at a young age:

Cholesterol is not the culprit, inflammation is: Many people believe that high levels of cholesterol and triglycerides are the sole culprits behind their heart attacks. The main reasons behind most heart attacks are inflammation and oxidative damage in the heart, blood vessels, endothelial lining, arteries, and more. While maintaining healthy cholesterol levels is important, we cannot blame heart attacks on cholesterol levels alone.

What then can you do to keep inflammation in check and your heart strong? Adopt simple lifestyle changes.

Learn to accept and let go. Build your self-worth, create a beautiful inner world, reflect inwards, and allow these teachings to slip into your daily living.

Also Check: Does Acid Reflux Cause Heart Palpitations

What Precautions Do I Need To Take

Limit alcohol

Drinking 3 or more alcoholic drinks every day while taking daily aspirin increases your risk for liver damage and stomach bleeding. If your doctor recommends aspirin, limit or stop alcohol usage.

Talk to doctor before a surgery or procedure

Before having a surgery or procedure that may cause bleeding, tell your doctor or dentist that you take aspirin. Aspirin may cause you to bleed more than usual. He or she will tell you if you should stop taking aspirin before your surgery or procedure. Make sure that you understand exactly what your doctor wants you to do.

Do not suddenly stop taking aspirin without talking to your doctor first. Talking to your cardiologist first is especially important if you have had a stent placed in a coronary artery.

Tell your doctor if you notice that you bruise easily or have other signs of bleeding. These include bloody or black stools or prolonged bleeding from cuts or scrapes.

Tell your doctor about all your medicines

Aspirin should not be taken with many prescription and over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, and natural health products. So before you start aspirin therapy, talk to your doctor about all the drugs and other remedies you take.

Be careful taking pain relievers

Take NSAIDs safely. If you need both aspirin and an NSAID pain reliever every day, talk to your doctor first. Ask your doctor what pain reliever you should take. You may be able to use another type of pain reliever, such as acetaminophen, to treat your pain.

Aspirin For Heart Attack Prevention

Aspirin can help prevent heart attacks in people with coronary artery disease and in those who have a higher than average risk. Only low dose, usually just 1;a day, is needed. But people who think they may be having an attack need an extra 325 mg of aspirin, and they need it as quickly as possible. For the best results, chew a single full-sized 325-mg tablet, but don’t use an enteric-coated tablet, which will act slowly even if chewed. And don’t forget to call 911, then your doctor. It’s a contemporary update on the old reminder to take two aspirin and call in the morning and it’s good advice to chew over.

Heart failure is manageable. To learn the mechanics of the heart, the symptoms and warning signs of heart failure, and, most of all, the keys to an effective treatment plan, buy the Harvard Special Health Report;Heart Failure: Understanding the condition and optimizing treatment.

Don’t Miss: What Branch Of Medicine Deals With Heart Disease

Take Care Of Yourself

Stress, anxiety, depression, and lack of sleep can raise your risk for heart disease. Take care of yourself with these steps:

• Get enough sleep. Most adults need seven to nine hours of sleep each night.
• Don’t stress. Keep stress in check by taking time each day to relax and unwind.
• Treat mental health problems. Get help if you have trouble coping because of depression, anxiety, or another health problem.
• Make a well-woman visit. Make an appointment with your doctor for an annual well-woman visit.

Symptoms Of A Heart Attack

Heart attack symptoms vary widely between individuals and present differently in men and women. Symptoms can come on quickly and intensely, or they might develop gradually over days or even weeks. Here are a few of the most common warning signs of a heart attack:

• Discomfort in the jaw, neck, back or chest
• Shortness of breath
• Lightheadedness or nausea

Recommended Reading: What To Do When Someone Has A Heart Attack