Eating a big meal—particularly a high-fat one—could potentially trigger a heart attack.
A 2000 study of heart-attack survivors hinted that the two-hour period after a heavy meal is risky. Diverting blood from the heart to aid digestion may also spur angina, or heart-related chest pain.
"Overeating should be considered a heart-attack trigger, much in the same way that extreme physical activities and severe anger episodes may cause a myocardial infarction,” says researcher Francisco Lopez-Jimenez, MD, a cardiologist at the Mayo Clinic, in Rochester, Minn.
3. Schedule regular checkups.
Seeing your doctor for a regular tune-up ensures that any irregularities with your blood pressure, blood sugar or cholesterol levels will be spotted — and dealt with — as early as possible.
4. Get your teeth professionally cleaned.
A study from Singapore found that people who got their teeth cleaned by a dentist or dental hygienist at least once a year had a lower risk of heart attack than those who never had a professional cleaning, because tooth scaling seems to reduce bacteria growth that causes inflammation and can up your risk for heart attack or stroke.
5. Keep diabetes under control.
If you have diabetes, your risk of heart attack is nearly doubled compared to someone who doesn't have it. Keeping your blood sugar in check can help you manage your diabetes and lower your heart attack risk.
6. Bike or take public transportation to work.
If you need an excuse to trade in your car keys for a bike helmet, here's one. A 2009 Swedish study found that people who regularly drive to work have a whopping 70% higher risk for heart attack than those who take a more active route like walking, biking or public transportation. Lowering your gas expenses is an added bonus!
7. Find an exercise buddy.
Being overweight and/or physically inactive puts you at greater risk for heart attack, so a good diet and proper exercise are key. Why not recruit a friend to work toward better heart health with you? Whether you join a recreational sports team, buddy up on a gym membership or simply get together for a walk or jog after work, having someone to work out with can help you stay motivated — and it’s a great way to bond.
8.Limit emotional involvement
Not with people! But avoid getting too emotionally invested in things that don't matter that much.
For example, researchers recently linked football team losses with a greater risk of heart attack. In Los Angeles County, deaths from heart attacks and just deaths in general (mostly in elderly people) spiked after the Pittsburgh Steelers routed the Los Angeles Rams 31-19 in the 1980 Super Bowl. But when the Rams pounced the Washington Redskins 38-9 in 1984, deaths in the county declined. So don't sweat the small stuff and remember that it's all small stuff.
9. Weigh yourself regularly.
If you’re looking to lose some weight and keep it off, monitoring your progress definitely helps. This doesn’t mean constantly obsessing over every crumb and calorie; it can be as simple as weighing yourself once a week. Greater weight self-monitoring is correlated to greater weight loss and less weight gain, according to several studies, as the frequent feedback may prompt you to make changes in your routine to get the results you want.
10. Track your target heart rate when you exercise.
The best way to find out whether any physical activity is improving the fitness of your heart and lungs is by tracking your heart rate when you exercise. According to the guide, your target heart rate should be between 50 to 75% of your maximum heart rate, which changes as you age. Over 75% may be too strenuous except for those in tip-top shape, while less than 50% is not enough to sufficiently condition your heart and lungs.
11. Play with your kids or pets.
Regular physical activity isn't just great for the waistline. It also lowers your risk of heart disease. But you don't have to hit the gym or start training for a marathon to get into better shape. Start simple, by spending some more time being active with the people — or pets — you love.
12.Avoid secondhand smoke.
Most people associate secondhand smoke with lung disease—but the danger to the heart is worse than you may realize.
Here’s why: Exposure to cigarette smoke—from smoking yourself or from secondhand smoke—increases arterial inflammation and impairs the ability of arteries to dilate and constrict normally. It also makes blood more likely to coagulate, the major cause of heart attacks.
If you live with an indoor smoker or spend time in other smoke-filled environments, your risk for a heart attack is 30% higher than in someone without this exposure. Cities (and countries) that have adopted public-smoking bans have reported reductions in heart attacks of 20% to 40%—with most of the reductions occurring in nonsmokers.
Will be showing my mum this. Thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteWow I didn't know about this thanks for sharing with us
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