How To Prevent Heart Attacks

Need to know how to prevent heart attacks? There are a number of lifestyle changes that can be made which will lower the risk of coronary artery disease and prevent heart attacks. While some are easy, others require a little more dedication and time.

1. Eat a low-fat diet which contains lots of fruits and vegetables. Five servings a day is the recommended minimum, but the more processed or high cholesterol foods that can be replaced with fruits and vegetables, the lower the chances of a heart attack.
2. Try losing weight. If a person is over his ideal weight, then losing some weight will help prevent a heart attack.
3. Stop smoking. The American Heart Association takes the position that a person who smokes is twice as likely to suffer a heart attack as a non-smoker.
4. Exercise. Increasing your level of physical activity not only helps to prevent heart attacks, but can also have other health benefits as well, including reducing the chance of diabetes. Before any exercise regimen is started, you should consult with your doctor to find out what type of exercise, as well as what levels, are prudent.

In addition to lifestyle changes, there are certain other medical conditions which are easily treatable and, when treated, prevent heart attacks by removing that risk factor.

1. Treat high cholesterol with medication. An increase in the bad cholesterol levels (LDL) can increase the chances of a heart attack, so regular testing and a cholesterol reducing medication may be necessary.
2. Treat high blood pressure. Another contributor to both heart attacks and strokes is high blood pressure, a condition which is easily regulated by medications once the problem is detected.
3. Treat diabetes. Diabetes is another condition which can be treated through medications as well as proper diet and exercise. Controlling diabetes will also help in preventing heart attacks. 

By following the steps above, it is possible to reduce the chances of, or even prevent, heart attacks.