Having a heart attack can have devastating effects on your life. Fortunately, there are many changes you can make in your lifestyle to help reduce your risk of a heart attack.
- maintain a healthy weight: Find out if you are at a healthy weight with the body mass index (BMI) calculator, and check your waist-to-hip ratio. Exercise and healthy eating can help you maintain a healthy weight.
- exercise: Try to get at least 150 minutes of moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical aerobic activity each week. Choose something you enjoy or try adding a daily brisk walk to your routine. Jogging, running, swimming, tennis, and gardening are all examples of activities that you can do. If you can't squeeze in long workouts, aim for exercise sessions that are no less than 10 minutes each. If you are new to exercise, check with your doctor before starting.
- eat healthy: A healthy diet can help you lower your cholesterol and blood pressure and maintain a healthy weight, which will reduce your heart attack risk. Eat more vegetables, fruits, and whole grains, and reduce your intake of sugar, sweets, and red meats. See Canada's Food Guide for more information on healthy foods and portion sizes.
- manage stress: Make time to relax, and take good care of yourself. This means getting enough rest, talking about your feelings, eating well, and staying active.
- quit smoking: Talk to your pharmacist or doctor about ways to help you stop smoking. If you don't smoke, then don't start. If someone in your household smokes, encourage them to quit.
- drink in moderation: Limit yourself to a maximum of 2 drinks per week and no more than 2 drinks per occasion to reduce your risk of alcohol-related harm.
- have regular medical checkups: Ask your doctor if you have any risk factors for a heart attack and, if so, what you can do to manage your risk.
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