01.How to prevent getting a heart attack
Coronary heart disease is the most common cause of heart attack, which can be life-threatening. Fortunately or unfortunately, the biggest risk factors of heart diseases are in your control. Knowing about them and following a lifestyle to keep all these risk factors at bay can prevent you from developing any kind of heart disease or risk of heart attack. Here are five most common risk factors for heart disease:
02.High blood pressure
High blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart disease. It happens when the pressure of the blood flowing in your arteries and other blood vessels is too high. This high blood pressure can affect your heart, kidneys, brain, and other major organs. You can manage your blood pressure with healthy lifestyle changes or medication if prescribed by your doctor.
03.Unhealthy diet
An unhealthy diet high in salt, fat and sugars can increase the levels of cholesterol in your body. Extra cholesterol can build up in the walls of your arteries, including those of your heart. This can harden and narrow your arteries, decrease the blood flow to the heart, and increase your risk of heart attack.
04.Drinking too much alcohol
Having more than three drinks of alcohol in one sitting can temporarily raise your blood pressure, according to health experts. If you binge drink, it can lead to long-term increase in your blood pressure. This high blood pressure can put strain on your heart muscle over time, putting you at risk of cardiovascular disease, heart attack and stroke.
05.Inactive lifestyle
An inactive lifestyle characterized by lack of physical activity can put you at risk of heart disease, even if you have no other risk factors. Lack of physical activity can also put you at risk of other heart disease causing factors, such as obesity, high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, and type 2 diabetes.
06.Smoking
Smoking is very harmful for your heart health. According to the US CDC, chemicals in cigarette smoke cause the blood to thicken and form clots inside veins and arteries. It increases your risk of developing heart diseases by increasing the formation of plaque in your blood vessels. This reduces the flow of blood to your heart and increases your risk of heart attack.
