How to Reduce Your Risk of Heart Disease

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A lot of conditions relating to heart disease can be prevented with a healthy lifestyle and diet. Of course, genetics are also involved and can raise your risk, but many cases allow you to make the changes that you need to in order to prevent and treat heart disease.

Whether you’re at risk for high cholesterol, high blood pressure, stroke, heart attack or congestive heart failure, there are some very important things that you need to know. Let’s take a look.

Get Sufficient Exercise

Try to exercise at least four times per week to reduce your chances of developing heart disease significantly. If you can manage more, that will be even more beneficial.

The exercise you do should include any aerobic or weight-training activities that increase your heart rate. You can do all kinds of great things for your heart and overall health when you get moving and sweating.

Change Your Diet

Your diet is extremely important, especially if you’re at risk of heart disease. Keep a close eye on cholesterol levels, salt intake, saturated fats, and trans fats. Stick to a diet that is full of fruits, veggies, whole grains, and lean proteins.

You’ll also benefit from cutting out red meat and replacing it with fish or chicken. If you have dietary restrictions that you don’t quite understand how to follow, work with a nutritionist to come up with a diet plan.

8 Ways to Reduce your Heart Disease Risk

Learn the Warning Signs of a Heart Attack and Stroke

It’s important that you know what’s going on with your body. There are some very common warning signs of a heart attack or stroke that could end up saving your life if you recognize them.

If you’re experiencing pain in your chest or shoulder, shortness of breath, confusion, dizziness, weakness on one or both sides of your body or you cannot speak, you need to find help right away. Get treatment as quickly as possible.

If you’ve had a heart attack, your doctor will likely prescribe medication to lower your chances of having one again. According to Stewart J. Guss, blood thinners can help prevent blood clots, strokes and heart attacks.

Reduce Stress

Stress is something that can greatly increase your risk of heart disease, according to the University of Rochester Medical Center. You need to make appropriate changes in your lifestyle so that you’re not feeling so stressed out all the time.

Make sure you shut down for the day at a certain time. Give yourself time to unwind before falling asleep. Find ways to pamper yourself. It could be something as simple as taking a warm bath at the end of the day. You could also treat yourself to a massage.

It’s important that you learn how to take care of yourself from a heart perspective. Heart disease is the major leading cause of death. Fortunately, there is a lot that you can do to make sure you aren’t a victim.

Talk to your doctor to find out ways that you can reduce your risk. Also, speak with your doctor about what your risk is for developing heart disease during your lifetime. Knowledge is power.

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