Heart disease kills hundreds of people every year worldwide. Several factors can lead to a heart attack – family history, poor lifestyle, stress, age, and high blood pressure. Heart disease starts with clogging and narrowing of the arteries. This obstruction is caused due to the accumulation of excessive cholesterol in our arteries.
During an attack the supply of blood to the heart is greatly reduced. The cells of the heart muscle do not receive sufficient oxygen which results in their dying. It becomes crucial to restore the flow of blood to the heart as quickly as possible.
Signs Of Heart Disease
Heart disease is a “silent killer” as the onset of a heart attack can often be fatal. The symptoms you should watch out for are: pains in the chest, upper abdomen, back and shoulders; nausea; dizziness; tightening of the chest; panting after a strenuous activity; and feeling of anxiety.
Risk Factors
What puts a person at risk of heart disease? High cholesterol, tobacco intake, fatty diet, and a sedentary lifestyle are a few things that put you at risk. Other causes are heredity, obesity, stress levels, and high blood pressure.
Prevention
As heart disease can be life threatening, prevention is the best medicine to treat it. You can increase your chances of living a long and healthy life and reduce the risks of cardiac disease, by adopting a healthy lifestyle. These are some preventive measures that you can take to avoid the risks.
Avoid Alcohol And Stop Smoking
Quit smoking if you do not want to cut your life short. Passive smoking, smoking cigars, and chewing tobacco are also very harmful to your health.
Large intakes of alcohol can damage your heart muscle. It would be a good idea to quit drinking completely.
Knowing Your Cholesterol Level
Keeping a check on your blood cholesterol levels is another great way to prevent heart disease. It is essential for every adult to know his/her cholesterol level.
If the cholesterol level is high, your doctor will suggest you a diet plan and may also prescribe some cholesterol-lowering drugs and medications.
Diet
Eat healthy and nutritious food. Following a well balanced diet is also very important to avoid the risk factors and prevent heart disease.
Cut down on fat. Foods with large amounts of fat and cholesterol can eventually lead to hardening of arteries. A well balanced diet will not only control your cholesterol levels but will also take care of your weight and blood pressure.
Weight Loss And Exercise
If you are overweight, you must try and lose weight. Obesity can lead to diabetes and hypertension. It also makes it hard for the heart to pump blood normally.
You can lose weight by following a high-fibre, low-fat diet, and by regular exercise.
Exercise not only helps you lose extra weight but also increases the level of good cholesterol and keeps your blood pressure normal. However, it is imperative to consult your doctor before starting on an exercise program.