Knowing how to prevent heart disease is a necessary skill. We all need to watch our hearts daily so that we can keep our hearts healthy! Heart disease comes in many forms and affects people at any age. So, here are some simple steps experts recommend taking to help prevent heart disease.
What is Heart Disease?
A person can have any of the following types of heart disease: blood vessel disease, heart rhythm problems, heart defects from birth, heart valve disease, disease of the heart muscle, and other infections of the heart. You can lower your risk of developing heart disease by making some healthier lifestyle changes. Experts recommend:
Steps to Help Prevent Heart Disease
- Start and maintain a healthy diet. This diet should include foods that are low in saturated fat, trans fat, and sodium. Be sure to also eat fruits, vegetables, foods that are high in fiber, fish, nuts, legumes, and seeds. Select lean meat cuts and decrease how many servings of meat you eat in a week. For example, try choosing a few meals that do not contain any meat.
- Get moving! Work up to getting five hours of physical exercise per week. Combining cardio and strength training workouts is recommended.
- Don’t stress about it. According to the American Heart Association, chronic stress can cause “an increase in heart rate and blood pressure that can damage the artery walls.” There are many techniques available for managing stress you can benefit from. Speak to your doctor if you are having difficulty managing stress levels on your own.
- Talk about it. Consult with your primary care doctor about implementing annual screenings and other proactive measures if you have a family history of heart disease.
Knowledge is Power
For those living with heart disease, healthy lifestyle modifications can help prevent worsening of symptoms and serious complications. Also, ensuring you and your loved ones recognize the symptoms of a heart attack or stroke may save your life. By taking immediate action, your survival chances increase, and long-term complications decrease.
Do you have heart disease? Clinical research studies across the nation are currently evaluating potential new options for heart disease. Research studies are vital to improving the way we detect, treat, and prevent conditions that affect the heart. These advances are made possible through partnerships with patients that participate in research.
As a study volunteer, you can learn more about your condition and may gain access to potential new therapies not yet on the market. These may be safer and more effective than standard available options. Help advance medicine and prioritize your heart health by participating in a clinical research study. MyLocalStudy.com is a comprehensive website that matches you with studies in your area. Explore cardiovascular disease studies click HERE.
Sources:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heart-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20353118
