HEALTH & FITNESS

7 Ways to Reduce Your Risk of Heart Attack

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While some people are certainly predisposed to particular diseases, others may suffer from an illness based on outside factors, such as environment and physical health. In the U.S. alone, about 610,000 people die of heart disease each year. With these alarming statistics, you probably want to do everything possible to ensure you’re at the lowest risk possible for having a heart attack.

We spoke with Dr. Allan Stewart, director of aortic surgery and co-director of the Valve Center at The Mount Sinai Hospital, to learn more. According to Stewart, when associated with a heart problem, more subtle symptoms, such as stomach issues, dizziness, nausea, or shortness of breath, typically reveal themselves in patients who have risk factors. “Smoking, obesity, sedentary people, folks with high blood pressure or poorly controlled diabetes can increase the risk of heart disease.”

Ways to Reduce Your Risk of Heart Attack

“There are several ways to prevent the progression of coronary artery disease, and therefore reduce the chances of a heart attack,” Stewart said. Here are seven ways to reduce the chances of a heart attack.

1. Exercise

Heart Attack

Fitness class | Source: iStock

It’s common knowledge that we all need exercise to live a healthy lifestyle, but the key is getting the right amount of exercise for an adequate amount of time. “The goal here is 30 minutes of aerobic exercise, at least four days a week,” Stewart said. “I tell my patients all the time, the most important feature on any piece of exercise equipment is the ON/OFF switch! Sorry, to all of you golfers, the goal here is sustained heart rate elevation. Golfing is not aerobic exercise.” Whatever kind of exercise you swear by, just make sure you’re getting your heart rate up.

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2. Limit alcohol consumption

Stewart recommends keeping your alcohol consumption to no more than two glasses per day. “Much has been written about the cardioprotective effects of red wine,” Stewart said. “However, the adage of, if a little benefit is good, more must be better does, not hold true! More than two glasses of wine per day increases the risk of fatty liver, obesity, and diabetes.”

3. Lose weight

Heart Attack

Man weighing himself on a scale | Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

Of course losing weight should help in preventing heart attacks later in life, seeing as a person’s weight plays a huge factor in overall health. “Look around. There are not a lot of obese 80 year-olds. They are all dead,” Stewart said. “Why, because obesity is a fatal disease. The fat you see on your mid-section is also all around the heart and can affect its function.”

4. Quit smoking

If you’ve not yet quit smoking, you deserve a wake-up call. “If you are a smoker, this is the greatest gift you can give yourself and will extend years on your life,” Stewart said of cutting smoking out of your life for good. Not to mention, you’ll feel better on a daily basis, and probably be able to do things with far more ease.

5. Eat the right foods

Food is your body’s fuel, so it’s important to make sure you’re getting all the best to ensure your body is running at its peak performance. Stewart recommends eating a diet high in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Fiber is one of the keys to heart health, and these foods all provide a whopping dose.

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6. Keep up with annual doctor’s visits

Heart Attack

Man meeting with his doctor | Source: iStock

Though you might consider yourself a healthy adult and swear off the doctor at all costs unless absolutely necessary, annual check-ups are important, and definitely worth both your time and money. “See your doctor at least once a year and follow your cholesterol, blood pressure, and glucose. Take your medicines if they are prescribed. Lowering your cholesterol, controlling your blood pressure, and reducing your glucose levels will make your heart healthy,” Stewart said.

7. Consider a baby aspirin

Stewart also recommends men above the age of 40 should consider a baby aspirin (81 milligrams), but of course, discuss any new drug regiment with your doctor first.

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