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7 Best Ways to Prevent and Manage Coronary Artery Disease and Other Heart Problem

    coronary heart disease prevention

     

    7 Best Ways to Prevent and Manage Coronary Artery Disease and Other Heart Problem

     

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    The life-threatening coronary artery disease is considered to be the most common type of cardiovascular disease. It affects both men and women. According to the report from The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 655,000 Americans die from different types of heart diseases each year. In the United States, one person dies every 36 seconds, suffering from one or other type of cardiovascular disease.

    When the blood flow in the arteries, responsible for carrying blood to your heart, is impaired or blocked then it can lead to coronary artery disease. Poor blood flow is typically caused by cholesterol plaque build-up called atherosclerosis. The main symptoms of coronary artery disease include:
    – Chest pain (angina)
    – Burning
    – Heaviness
    – Tightness
    – Shortness of breath
    – Heart attack

    You may experience other symptoms of CAD as well, such as:
    – Sweating
    – Pain in the arms or shoulders
    – Dizziness

    The more your blood flow is impaired, the more symptoms you develop. If plaque buildup cuts off blood flow fully, your heart will gradually cease to function and will eventually die. Ignoring coronary artery disease can lead to death, therefore if your symptoms are severe or last longer than five minutes, seek out medical help as soon as possible.

    Keep reading to find out tips that will help you prevent or manage coronary artery disease and live a healthy and happy life:

    Manage your blood pressure

    High blood pressure (hypertension) is a common condition that can lead to health issues, including coronary artery disease over time.

    Blood pressure can be easily checked. If you have hypertension, work with your healthcare provider to treat and manage it. Lifestyle changes, a healthy diet, regular exercise, and a healthy weight are the best options for CAD management. If you have a very high blood pressure, your doctor will likely prescribe certain medications.

    Manage your cholesterol levels

    Cholesterol accumulated in your arteries is insidious since it shows no symptoms for a long time. Sooner or later it might result in a heart attack or stroke. You should limit your consumption of saturated fat, trans fat, and cholesterol.

    You may need to go to a doctor to seek medication when your cholesterol level is not improving even after your have changed the diet and improved your lifestyle.

    To check your cholesterol levels you need to perform a special blood test called a lipid panel. It will report your levels of:
    – Total cholesterol
    – LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol)
    – HDL cholesterol (good cholesterol)
    – Triglycerides (a type of fat in the blood)

    There are lots of treatment options for high cholesterol. Non-surgical treatment includes statins, cholesterol absorption inhibitors, bile-acid-binding resins, and fibrates. Your doctor might also prescribe supplements such as omega-3 fatty acids, niacin, green tea extract, psyllium, or flaxseed.

    Give up smoking

    Smoking affects your blood vessels and lung tissue, lowers the amount of oxygen in your blood, and it causes your heart to beat at a faster rate. Smoking is a huge risk factor for coronary artery disease. Giving up smoking will help you improve heart health health and overall health.

    Talk to your healthcare provider about effective options to give up smoking. Keep in mind that secondhand smoke is harmful too. Always try to avoid smoking at any cost, even keep away from exposure to indirect smoking. 

    coronary heart disease prevention

     

    Maintain a healthy weight

    Obesity is extremely common among Americans of all ages. The only way to get rid of excess weight once and for all is to follow a healthy lifestyle always. Following a healthy lifestyle means managing your calorie intake, getting regular exercise, and sticking to a healthy diet. Obesity increases your risk of type 2 diabetes, gallbladder disease, osteoarthritis, stroke, coronary artery disease, and other dangerous conditions.

    Your Body Mass Index (BMI) is a very helpful measure that can predict if your weight is normal or you have obesity.
    If you are overweight or obese, weight loss can lower your risk of the aforementioned health issues. Maintaining a healthy weight will also help you maintain healthy levels of cholesterol and blood sugar.

    Change your diet

    A healthy diet is one of the most effective tools to combat and prevent cardiovascular disease. Your cholesterol levels, blood glucose levels, blood pressure, and weight depend on the foods you eat every day.

    Consider eating more foods full of vitamins, minerals, fiber, and other nutrients but are lower in calories. Follow a diet enriched with the menus and items of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains and also includes low-fat dairy products, poultry, fish, legumes, and nuts. Limit your consumption of sweets, sugar-sweetened beverages, and red meats.

    Consuming foods high in saturated fat and bad cholesterol raises your risk of coronary artery disease significantly. Saturated fat and cholesterol are commonly contained in animal products, fat saturated  dairy products, as well as in palm oil and also in coconut oils. These foods can lead to fat accumulation in your arteries.

    Reduce your stress levels

    Scientists have found a link between coronary heart disease risk and stress. People with chronic stress disorder generally prone to overeating, they can start smoking or smoke at much higher rate than they usually do when not under influence of stress. Stress management can bring down the risk of heart disease and other health conditions dramatically.

    Prolonged stress is related to health problems such as stroke, type 2 diabetes, acid reflux, weakened immune system, and various heart problems.

    Manage your stress by exercising, sharing your problems with friends and family, and making healthy food choices. Get regular screenings.

    The recommendation from The American Heart Association says that, one needs to monitor for heart  ailments or diseases starting from the age of twenty! the cholesterol level they prescribe to be checked every four to six years. 

    Get regular exercise

    Regular exercise is essential for your health. 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week can reduce your blood pressure, lower cholesterol levels, and maintain a healthy weight. If you’re currently inactive start with a few minutes of exercise per week. Even a moderate level of physical activity can reduce your risk of premature death.

    Exercise makes your heart work more actively which helps your body use oxygen effectively and strengthen your cardiovascular system. Physical activity lowers blood pressure and the amount of cholesterol and triglycerides in your blood.

    The Bottom Line

    A healthy heart is your best bet for living a long and healthy life. Don’t ignore high cholesterol, blood sugar, and blood pressure levels. These issues are asymptomatic until they turn into a heart attack or stroke or any other coronary heart diseases. A healthy lifestyle is the best choice for a healthy heart and a strong body.

     

     

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