5 Tips to Prevent Heart Attacks during Mid-Life

5 Tips To Prevent Heart Attacks during Mid-Life

by Guest Writer Zara Andrew

The thought of a heart attack can send a chill down everyone’s spine, and with a good reason. Heart disease is among the leading causes of death for many people. Men are more likely to get heart disease during mid-life when compared to women. However, this risk increases for women as they approach menopause, and eventually surpass that of men. By following the 5 tips to prevent heart attacks during Mid-Life below, an individual can reduce his or her chances of having a heart attack.

Quit Smoking 

Smoking is quite harmful to a person’s cardiovascular health. It remains the top preventable cause of cardiovascular disease, with over 50 percent of heart attacks among middle-aged people attributable to tobacco. Smoking also leads to clogged arteries, thus raising the blood pressure in the clogged arteries. This condition doubles the risk of heart attack for smokers when compared with non-smokers. Chances of cardiovascular disease start to decline within a few months of smoking, reaching the level of a non-smoker in between 3 and 5 years. Therefore, an individual’s body immediately begins to bounce after quitting and leads to improvement of cardiovascular health.

Control Cholesterol Levels 

High blood cholesterol is a condition capable of significantly increasing one’s chances of getting coronary heart disease. Extra cholesterol within the bloodstream settles on the arteries inner walls, narrowing them and allowing less amounts of blood to pass to the heart. Cholesterol levels can be controlled by consuming fewer calories and avoiding saturated fat. It is also advisable to eat foods that are rich in fibre, like fruits and vegetables. If the cholesterol levels are very high, a person may take drugs in order to lower them.

Consume Alcohol Moderately 

Moderate consumption of alcohol is related to decrease of cardiovascular disease. However, it may increase the risk of breast cancer and raise blood pressure. According to studies, one alcoholic drink per day can have a protective effect on the heart. Such a drink can be 5 ounces of wine, 12 ounces of beer or 1.5 ounces of liquor. Additionally, the effects are more beneficial for middle-aged people or older who have suffered a heart stroke or attack, or already suffer from cardiovascular disease.

Do Regular Exercise 

Exercising regularly is good for a middle aged person as it helps in reducing cholesterol levels, stress, excess weight and high blood pressure. It also makes the heart stronger, resulting in a lower pulse rate. According to recent evidence, even moderate-intensity activities like brisk walking are associated with significant decrease of cardiovascular disease risk. However,

Over doing exercise is not advisable, particularly weight-lifting exercises that are likely to trigger heart attacks. Before starting any exercise program, one should consult a doctor.

Manage Stress

Poorly controlled stress can have an undesirable effect on blood lipids. A hostility attitude has been linked to a higher incidence of cardiac events. Cynical distrust is known to trigger accelerated progression of carotid artery disease. Yoga, stress management techniques and relaxation methods like mediation are essential for preventing coronary heart disease and cardiovascular disease.

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For our European readers, by getting a European Health Card and following the tips above, an individual can reduce his or her chances of getting a heart attack.