The American Heart Association found that 1 in every three deaths occurs due to heart disease. This is an astonishing statistic considering the majority of Americans do not understand how significant it can be. Those who suffer from heart disease know the pain and suffering it causes, but many don’t realize that early detection saves lives. Statistics show that those with heart disease have a 10 percent chance of dying in the next year, but that percentage goes down to two with early detection. Looking at these numbers, it is clear that heart disease is a huge problem, and we should do all we can to prevent the condition. Here are some tips on how you can prevent heart disease. If you already have symptoms of heart disease, you should see a Plano heart disease specialist for treatment.
Table of Contents
1. Exercise
We all know that exercise is essential, but the benefits of working out are not limited to weight loss. Exercise helps prevent heart disease by improving your cholesterol levels and reducing blood pressure. All types of exercise are suitable for the heart, but high-intensity workouts work best because they force the body to adapt. This adaptation includes increased blood flow, which reduces the risks of heart disease. The American Heart Association suggests exercising for 30 minutes a day, five days a week, to ensure heart health.
2. Check Your Diet
What we eat is just as important as how often we work out. Many people know that a diet high in sodium and saturated fats causes problems with the circulatory system. Still, they don’t realize that eating foods with cholesterol can cause heart disease. You should avoid trans fat and excess sugar as much as possible because they contribute to heart disease. By sticking to a high fiber, low-calorie diet, you can ensure a healthy heart. Maintaining your weight also plays a crucial role in heart health because extra pounds strain the cardiovascular system.
3. Maintain Healthy Weight
A common cause of heart disease is obesity and extreme weight loss. Having an unhealthy body mass index (BMI) can increase the risk of heart disease because it changes how your blood flows throughout your arteries. If your BMI is too low, you may not be getting enough nutrients, leading to other health problems such as brittle bones and osteoporosis. Talk to your Plano heart disease specialist if you are concerned about your BMI because there are treatments available that can improve the health of your heart.
4. Quit Smoking
Smoking cigarettes is bad for more than just the lungs. It also causes damage to the blood vessels, which increases the risk of heart disease. The American Heart Association suggests smokers try to quit using varenicline or bupropion since these are the most effective aids for smoking cessation. The side effects of these drugs are not very bad, and they have been proven safe to use. Even if you cannot quit, reducing your tobacco intake can still help to improve your heart health.
In summary, heart disease is an issue that affects millions of people worldwide. Early detection plays a massive role in health, but it’s never too late to take preventative measures. Make sure you check your diet and exercise regularly to live longer and enjoy your time here on earth.
