A large percentage of heart attack cases are fatal. Fortunately, heart health is something that we can do something about. There are ways that are directly within our control that we can prevent a heart attack from happening. By taking care of our heart health, we can live longer and healthier lives.

Heart disease is the number one killer in the United States. It kills more people than all the cancers combined. Yet while people often worry about cancer – a disease that in many cases there is not much that can be done to prevent – they often put off taking care of their heart health. For over 500,000 Americans each year, this is fatal. More people can live longer if they take care of their heart health.

Here are 3 surprising ways to predict and prevent a heart attack:

1. Prediction: Obesity – Prevention: Losing Weight

If you are overweight, you have more of a chance of having a heart attack than if you are of an average weight. Those who are overweight often have high blood pressure as well as high cholesterol. While these conditions are not exclusive to those who are overweight, being overweight is a precursor to both conditions as well as diabetes, which also leads to heart disease and a heart attack. Good heart health starts with a good weight. It is not too late to start eating the right foods to lose weight, exercising and taking supplements that can lower your cholesterol.

A heart attack is often caused by the arteries being clogged. This is due to plaque build up by LDL cholesterol. Start now by eating foods that are good for you such as fish and whole grains and cutting down on your fat intake. Monitor your cholesterol and blood pressure levels regularly and get yourself into an exercise program that will help you lose weight. Losing weight is the first step to good heart health.

2. Prediction: Smoking – Prevention: Quit Smoking

Smoking can lead to a heart attack as well. It raises your blood pressure and puts an unnecessary strain on your heart. Among other things, smoking is bad for your heart health. You can quit smoking and start to lower your blood pressure right away. You will feel better, be able to exercise for longer periods of time and also cut your risk for heart attack if you quit smoking. Heart health begins with having a healthier lifestyle, so it is a good idea to quit smoking.

3. Prediction: Heredity – Prevention: Regular Checkups

Heredity also plays a key factor in heart health. If you have a family history of heart disease, with relatives felled by a heart attack, you are at a greater risk for a heart attack. Fortunately, there is much that can be done medically to prevent a heart attack that includes medications. Get your blood pressure and heart checked regularly during your visits to your doctor and go for an EKG if recommended. This can often end up preventing a heart attack from happening. Many people today are alive because they took care of their heart health and sought preventative measures to decrease their risk of having a heart attack.

OTHER HEALTH & WELLNESS ARTICLES

Post-Partum Depression (PPD)
The maternity ward is one of the only places, where an individual can witness a miracle. Eager fac [...]

Practicing Yoga and Relieving Stress
How many people out there actually love getting their butts out of that bed in the morning to go f [...]

Are You At Risk for Heart Disease?
There are a variety of factors that predispose you to heart disease. Your family history forms the [...]

3 Face Washing Tips to Get Younger Looking Skin
Everyone wants young skin or at least, the appearance of young skin. Did you know that the proper [...]