Introduction
Heart attacks are one of the leading causes of death in the United States. But, with the right knowledge and lifestyle changes, you can reduce your risk of having a heart attack. Eating the right foods and avoiding the wrong ones is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your heart health. In this article, we’ll discuss some simple tricks to avoid a “deadly” heart attack, say doctors now — eat this not that. We’ll look at the foods you should be eating to reduce your risk of a heart attack, as well as the foods you should avoid. With these tips, you can make sure you’re doing all you can to keep your heart healthy and reduce your risk of a heart attack.
Simple Tricks to Avoid a “Deadly” Heart Attack Say Doctors Now — Eat This Not That
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, and it’s a serious health concern for many. But there are simple steps you can take to reduce your risk of a heart attack. Doctors now say that eating the right foods and avoiding the wrong ones can help you stay healthy and avoid a deadly heart attack.
Eat These Foods
Doctors recommend eating a diet that is rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. Eating foods that are high in fiber, such as oatmeal, beans, and nuts, can help reduce cholesterol levels and lower your risk of heart disease. Eating fish, such as salmon, tuna, and mackerel, can also help reduce your risk of heart disease, as they are high in omega-3 fatty acids.
Avoid These Foods
Doctors also recommend avoiding foods that are high in saturated fat, such as red meat, butter, and cheese. Eating too much salt can also increase your risk of heart disease, so it’s important to limit your intake of processed and fast foods. Finally, it’s important to limit your intake of sugar, as it can increase your risk of heart disease.
Other Tips to Reduce Your Risk of Heart Disease
In addition to eating the right foods, there are other steps you can take to reduce your risk of heart disease. Exercise regularly, as this can help reduce your risk of heart disease. Quitting smoking can also help reduce your risk, as smoking increases your risk of heart disease. Finally, it’s important to manage your stress levels, as stress can increase your risk of heart disease.
By following these simple tips, you can reduce your risk of a heart attack and stay healthy. Eating the right foods and avoiding the wrong ones can help you stay healthy and avoid a deadly heart attack.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, every 40 seconds someone in the United States has a heart attack, that’s 805,000 people every year. Heart disease is the leading killer for men and women, but 90 percent of cases can be prevented with a few positive lifestyle changes. Eat This, Not That! Health spoke with experts who explained healthy habits that can help avoid a deadly heart attack. Read on—and to ensure your health and the health of others, don’t miss these Sure Signs You’ve Already Had COVID.
Dr. Nicole Harkin, Preventive Cardiologist and Founder of Whole Heart Cardiology says, “Sedentary lifestyle (i.e. prolonged sitting time) has been identified as an independent risk factor for the development of premature heart disease. The increased risk of cardiovascular disease appears to emerge fairly consistently at between 8 to 10 hours of sedentary time a day – and the risk of prolonged sedentary time appears to be independent of time spent in formal exercise. If possible, consider a standing desk, walking meetings, pace while talking on the phone, breaking up your day with errands, and even a fitness tracker to motivate you to get in those 7,500 steps a day.”
According to Dr. Harkin, “We know from an overwhelming amount of evidence that eating more plants reduces our risk of heart attack. Plants contain an abundance of fiber as well as vitamins, minerals, micronutrients, polyphenols and antioxidants. Evidence suggests we should aim to eat a diet that is rich in quantity and variety of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes (beans), nuts and seeds. Many trials have demonstrated lower rates of high blood pressure, cholesterol, obesity, inflammation and heart disease in those following a plant-predominant or plant-based diet.”
“Periodic check ins with your doctor can help identify risk factors for heart disease that you may not know about. Issues like high blood pressure and high cholesterol don’t give you any symptoms, but if left unchecked for a long time can put you at risk for heart disease,” says Dr. Harkin. “This is particularly important if you have a family history of heart disease. Your doctor will check your blood pressure, heart rate, weight, and likely labs such as cholesterol and measures of glucose.”
Dr. Jagdish Khubchandani, MBBS, Ph.D., a professor of public health at New Mexico State University says, “Alcohol abuse has multiple unhealthy effects that directly or indirectly affect the heart. Alcoholic drinks are rich in fat and sugar, promote unhealthy diet choices, cause body fat accumulation, burden the heart, liver, and kidney, and can lead to heart attacks and heart failure in the long run by depleting blood supply to the heart or by directly burdening the heart muscle function.”
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism states, ” According to the “Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2020-2025,” U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Department of Agriculture, adults of legal drinking age can choose not to drink or to drink in moderation by limiting intake to 2 drinks or less in a day for men and 1 drink or less in a day for women.”
Dr. Khubchandani explains, “In recent times, studies have shown that getting COVID infections is a major risk factor for heart disease. Even fully recovered individuals have had heart attacks after recovery or discharge from the hospitals. One should do all that they can to avoid serious outcomes from the infection (e.g. vaccinate, mask, etc).”
Heather Newgen