The Center For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that someone suffers a heart attack in the US every 40 seconds. Many health experts believe that several heart attack-related deaths are preventable with the right lifestyle changes. It is prudent to take proactive steps to lower your risks of suffering this condition, given this medical emergency’s prevalence in the country. Please consider the points below to learn more about preventing heart attacks.

1. Eat a heart-healthy diet

What you eat has a significant effect on heart health and overall wellbeing. Therefore, it is critical to consume foods that promote heart health. For instance, foods high in fat and sodium can increase your cholesterol and lead to clogged arteries, subpar blood flow, and an increased risk of heart attacks. Consequently, eliminate these fried and fatty foods and processed foods from your diets to lower your chances of developing a heart attack. Instead, replace them with colorful vegetables and fruits high in nutritional value and low in calories. Additionally, include plenty of Omega-3 fatty acid and protein-rich foods like nuts and fish in your diet to lower your risks of suffering heart attacks.

2. Take your medication

Doctors typically prescribe blood thinners to individuals with an increased risk of heart attack or stroke due to irregular heart rhythm. Blood thinners can reduce your risk of heart attack and stroke, so taking these medications as directed by your doctor is essential. In addition to taking in these drugs, you can speak to your doctor about adding ginger to your diet as it’s a natural blood thinner that is instrumental in maintaining optimum heart health. Beta-blockers, diuretics, and statins are some of the other drugs you should take as prescribed to lower your risks of heart attacks.

3. Quit smoking

Smoking deposits harmful chemicals into your bloodstream and is a primary risk factor for coronary artery disease (CAD). CAD causes fatty deposits to build up in your arteries. Over time, the continuous build-up of these fatty deposits can result in the narrowing of your arteries, reducing blood flow to the heart, and increasing your risks of heart attacks. Consequently, consider quitting smoking entirely without relying on other tobacco products as substitutes. In addition,  avoid all secondhand smoking as much as you can since health experts believe that it has similar adverse health effects as firsthand smoking.

4. Increase physical activity

There is no denying that exercise constitutes the foundations of a heart-healthy lifestyle. Consequently, consider engaging in aerobic and strength-building activities to take care of your heart and prevent heart disease and attacks from occurring. As per a review published in Circulation, individuals who did 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercises weekly had a 14% lower risk of coronary heart disease. Therefore, you can start with a decent amount of low-intensity aerobic activities and work your way up to two-and-a-half hours of such exercises every week. However, remember that exercises can sometimes heighten the risk of heart attacks, so always consult your physician before you begin exercising, particularly if you have heart disease.