How to Prevent Heart Attacks

Prevention is better than cure they say, and how true. It is better to live a healthy life that will keep you away from diseases, than to finally get a heart disease and fear a heart attack. The good news is that it really isn't hard if you stay heart-healthy. Here are some commonsense tips:

• It is said that we usually are what we eat! So always try to eat nutritious, healthy food.
• Choose foods that are low in saturated fat. Make sure there is a serving of fruit, vegetables and whole grains each as these are rich in starch and fiber and low on fat!
• Try and cut down on dietary cholesterol as consuming this leads to low blood cholesterol. You can eat egg whites and foods from plant sources as they do not have cholesterol.
• Always read the food labels before purchasing them. Look for the amount of saturated fat, total fat, cholesterol and total calories per serving on the nutrition label.
• Try to be stress free as being under stress can be harmful for your raising blood pressure, blood cholesterol, and making your heart beat faster. Relax and always smile, don't get angry.
• Try to bring down high blood pressure and this can be done by minimizing risk factors, and making lifestyle changes, or by taking medication if necessary. Lead a healthy life and do more exercises.
• Stop smoking. Stub out that cigarette butt now, as it does not do any good to you.
• If you drink, do so in moderation. A limit of two drinks per day is okay, but more than this could lead to trouble. It is advisable to opt for red wine rather than any other hard alcoholic drinks.
• Obesity is bad, and can contribute to a lot of problems, heart attack being one. Stay fit and lean.
• In case if you are overweight then try to get fit by doing regular exercises and lose the excess weight.
• Don't try crash diets, they are no good and usually makes you ill. Therefore, instead opt for a slow, steady and sustained program to lose weight.
• Try and incorporate a higher activity level into daily activities like taking a walk, riding a bike to the supermarket, climbing stairs instead of using the elevator and playing sports like badminton and basketball.