What is a heart attack? / How to prevent heart attacks? / lifestyle changes
Certain risk indicators for heart attack such as high cholesterol levels,
Studies on the prevention of heart attacks or myocardial infarction is a top priority for many research projects worldwide because
When fatty deposits called atherosclerosis form along the walls of the blood vessels that lead to the heart, the blood vessels narrow down to cause
Certain risk indicators for heart attack such as high cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, high blood sugar and
- Go for a healthy diet to lower cholesterol—such as trans fat-free food, fruits and vegetables
- Beat obesity by taking up a weight loss program
- Reduce salt intake to reduce blood pressure
- Increase physical activity such as walking and other forms of exercise
- Quit smoking and excessive alcohol intake
- Do yoga, meditation and spend quality time with family and friends to beat stress
Modern living, mainly dictated by market forces, that makes sure people always “want” something is undeniably stressful. Life gets complicated by the day because of constantly shifting priorities that lead to changing lifestyles. Ultimately, good lifestyle principles such as healthy snacking; regular working, eating and sleeping hours, and good and clean habits seem old-fashioned and obsolete.
For example, upsetting circadian rhythms or the internal body clock by irregular eating and sleeping habits due to differing work shifts or erratic lifestyles will surely lead to stress and fuel premature heart attacks.
Smoking increases blood pressure and causes the narrowing of blood vessels. The carcinogenic compounds present in tobacco can cause damage to the artery walls and the carbon monoxide from burning tobacco pollutes the oxygen-bearing blood to the heart. Kicking the butt is of utmost importance in any program that aims to prevent a heart attack.
Earlier there were studies showing single men as prone to heart attacks, probably because married men shared the emotional burden of life with a supportive wife. Now with more women opting to work outside home, demanding deadlines, ego clashes and flaring tempers at home and at work places, mayhem and chaos prevail for spouses too. These ‘trigger factors’ raise the risk of a heart attack. The global financial crunch and market crash have done their bit in launching people right into the stress zone.
A Harvard Heart Letter puts psychosocial factors on par with
Though there is no scientific evidence that directly relates emotional stress to heart disease, there are studies that show people who are chronically stressed out at office or at home resort to smoking, overeating and neglect regular
Research has shown that people reeling under stress related to work overload, frustration, anxiety and relationship problems resort to a higher intake of sugars, highly processed foods and caffeine that can increase the stress factor and lead to burn out and finally, a heart attack.
Heart attack is now no longer a male prerogative. Instances of women and youngsters succumbing to heart attacks are increasing by the day all over the world.
Though most doctors consider
- 95% experienced new or different symptoms a month ahead of the heart attack
- 70.6% reported unusual fatigue
- 47.8% had sleep disturbances
- 42.1% had shortness of breath
- Less than 30% had chest pain or discomfort before their heart attacks
- 43% said they did not have chest pain during any phase of the attack
The study, one of the first to investigate women heart attack symptoms observed that it is imperative not to miss the earliest opportunity in detecting and forestalling heart attack, which is the leading cause of death in the advanced world.
Though heart diseases can be treated and managed effectively with modern medicines, prevention is the best strategy to live a life free from the threat of heart attacks.
Making small lifestyle changes such as opting to use the stairs instead of the elevator, snacking on fruits and vegetables instead of burgers and fries or other food items loaded with meat or cheese, kicking the smoking habit, consuming alcohol in moderation, exercising regularly and learning effective ways of stress management can negate the chances of heart attack.
Stress management programs that involve breathing exercises, yoga, aerobics, stretching exercises, swimming, meditation, and massage are found useful in relaxing and calming a person while also controlling the sudden spike in adrenaline levels in response to stress.
A recent Duke University research showed a considerable reduction in heart attacks among patients with coronary artery disease who participated in a stress management program, along with other programs to stop smoking, control lipids and encourage
