8 Helpful Tips For Preventing A Heart Attack

Approximately 720,000 people in the United States have a heart every year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A heart attack can happen when one of your coronary arteries gets blocked from buildup such as cholesterol. Some of the common symptoms of a heart attack include shortness of breath, dizziness, pain in chest and heartburn. A heart attack is very scary to think about, but you can lower your risk of having one. Here are eight helpful tips for preventing a heart attack.

Do not Ignore Snoring

Snoring can be more than a mild annoyance to the person you sleep next to. If you snore all the time, you could be suffering from sleep apnea, a disorder that causes pauses in breathing while you sleep. If sleep apnea is not treated correctly, it can put you at risk of a heart attack.

Reduce Stress in Your Life

Did you know that being too stressed can increase your risk of a heart attack? When you are overly stressed, you can raise your blood pressure and make yourself more susceptible to a heart attack. That is why you should do things to lower your stress levels such as meditating, practicing yoga, writing in a journal or talking to someone you trust. 

Consider Taking Aspirin

If you have a family history of heart disease, you should consider taking aspirin. Aspirin can lower your risk of a heart attack by thinning out your blood and preventing blood clots. However, you should talk to your doctor before you take it. Your doctor will examine your medical history and determine if it is safe for you to take aspirin regularly.

Include Fish in Your Diet

Another way you can lower your risk of a heart attack is to include more fish in your diet. The omega-3 fatty acids in fish can reduce inflammation in your body, which can lower your blood pressure and reduce blood clots that lead to heart attacks. If you eat fatty fish, such as tuna, salmon and herring, twice a week, you will be less likely to suffer a heart attack in the future.

Exercise Regularly

If you include regular exercise in your schedule, you will be less likely to suffer a heart attack. Regular exercise will help you maintain a healthy weight and even reduce your risk of developing health problems that can damage your heart like high cholesterol and high blood pressure. Try to exercise for at least 30 minutes about four to five days a week. 

Stop Smoking

Are you a smoker? If so, you should really think about quitting. Smoking does not just increase your risk of lung cancer; it also make you more susceptible to a heart attack. If you can't stop smoking on your own, you should talk to your doctor about helping you quit.

Avoid Eating Too Much Red Meat

Red meat might be tasty, but it is not the best for your heart. Red meat not only contains saturated fat; it also is filled with carnitine. Carnitine can be converted into compounds that thicken your artery walls. If you want to reduce your risk of a heart attack, don't eat red meat more than once a week.

Limit Alcohol

If you want to lower your risk of having a heart attack, don't drink more than one or two alcoholic beverages a day. Drinking too much can raise the levels of triglycerides in your blood, raising your risk of a heart attack.

If you follow these helpful tips, you will be less likely to suffer a heart attack. However, if you still experience symptoms of a heart attack, go to an urgent care center (like 24 Hour Urgent Care of the Desert) immediately. 


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