How to Prevent Heart Disease

How to Prevent Heart Disease: Four Factors to Help 

If you’re wondering how to prevent heart disease, you’re already on the right path. Unfortunately, heart disease is among the top causes of death among any gender. The good news, though, is that you can take steps to prevent it. Heart attacks and strokes are never inevitable, and you can work towards control over your heart health. 

A healthy heart can take work and diligence, but it’s attainable and a great goal. To help you start your heart health journey, here are four changes that can help you make an impact in preventive care. 

What Is Heart Disease? 

The first step in learning how to prevent heart disease is understanding what it is. “Heart disease” is an umbrella term covering many different conditions that impact the heart. Oftentimes, it refers to atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, which involves plaque buildup in either the coronary arteries or the peripheral arteries. 

Left unchecked, this buildup can put you on the path to a stroke or heart attack. However, you can take measures to prevent it. Other forms of cardiovascular diseases, such as heart valve issues or heart rhythm problems, are a little more difficult to prevent. Luckily, your Kingwood cardiologists are always ready to help you on the road to heart health. 

What Are the Risk Factors for Heart Disease?

When you understand what puts you at risk for heart disease, finding out how to prevent it is much more straightforward. 

Obesity – When your body mass index (BMI) sits above 30, it puts you at risk for heart disease. 

High blood pressure and high cholesterol – Having too much low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol causes plaque buildup in your arteries. This limits the flow of blood to your heart and brain. Additionally, hypertension increases your risk, known as the silent killer because people often don’t realize it’s an issue. 

Diabetes – Maintaining control over your diabetes helps you prevent a buildup of plaque and atherosclerosis. When plaque builds up in your arteries, it restricts the flow of blood to vital organs. In turn, this can lead to strokes, heart attacks, and other health problems. 

Alcohol – Overconsumption of alcohol also increases your risk of heart disease. This is because your blood pressure rises the day after a drinking session, so it’s best to limit your intake. 

How to Prevent Heart Disease: Nutrition 

Your diet is a key factor in working to prevent heart disease. Everyone’s body is different, but a balanced diet can help you build and maintain a healthy heart. Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats often provide some relief from heart disease. 

A healthy diet helps to lower your blood pressure and improve your cholesterol. However, crash diets and fads aren’t always sustainable. When you’re thinking about heart health, it’s important to find a balance that you can sustain well into the future. Focus on forming healthier habits over following restrictive diets. 

Get Physical 

Your heart is a muscle, and that means it needs exercise. When you get your heart rate into the aerobic training zone, it maintains the systolic function of the muscle – your heart pumping blood throughout your body. More importantly, regular physical activity often leads to a more stable weight and lower blood pressure – thus being a great way to help prevent heart disease.

A few hours of “moderate-intensity” exercise every week can set you on a good path. This means that you’re able to have a conversation as you move and can include a light jog or even a brisk walk. Don’t fret over a busy schedule preventing you from reaching your fitness goals, though. Quantity and quality are more important than the timeframe. 

Stop Smoking 

Smoking is a significant factor when it comes to atherosclerosis. The longer you maintain the habit, the higher your risk of heart disease. However, it’s never too late to stop and help prevent heart disease. Within a few months, quitting can have serious health benefits. 

Preventive Medicine 

Beyond lifestyle factors, genetics play a role in your risk of heart disease. For instance, adjusting your lifestyle and getting more active might reduce your cholesterol, but beyond that, your risk is genetically driven. Unfortunately, cardiologists don’t quite have the power to reverse aging, family history, or genetics quite yet. 

However, medications can assist in the prevention of heart disease. Cholesterol-lowering drugs and high blood pressure medications can help you stay on top of your risk. 

When you visit the Kingwood cardiologists at TCAH, we work to provide a comprehensive plan to help you on the path to a healthy heart. Schedule an appointment today to see how we can help you.