About 805,000 people in the U.S. have heart attacks each year, says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), but many heart attack risk factors are things we can control. Cardiologists have advice on what to watch for and how to lower the risk, shared in Parade.
Dr. Rigved Tadwalkar, a board-certified cardiologist, explains that habits like smoking, eating unhealthy foods, not exercising, drinking too much alcohol, and high stress can increase the risk of heart attacks. Conditions like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes also add to this risk.
One of the most important things is getting regular checkups. Dr. Jayne Morgan, vice president of medical affairs at Hello Heart, says that knowing your blood pressure and cholesterol levels can help you take steps to lower them. This can include exercising daily, eating well, and sleeping 7-8 hours every night.
Dr. Robert Salazar, an interventional cardiologist, suggests exercising for 20-30 minutes most days of the week to help with blood pressure, sleep, and stress. Quitting smoking is also key, as Dr. Morgan warns that smoking greatly increases heart attack risk. A heart-healthy diet, rich in vegetables, whole grains, fish, and olive oil, can make a big difference, adds Dr. Salazar.
Managing stress is another important factor. Techniques like yoga, meditation, and deep breathing help lower stress, which affects heart health, says Dr. Tadwalkar. Even fun activities can help, like caring for a pet, which Dr. Morgan says can reduce stress and promote heart health.
Surprisingly, singing or playing music also supports heart health by lowering stress and blood pressure, according to Dr. Estelle Jean, a cardiologist at MedStar Health. Dancing, as Dr. Tadwalkar explains, helps improve heart health while being enjoyable and social.
In Parade’s article, it’s also mentioned that taking walks, whether alone or with friends, can reduce heart disease risk. Dr. Chen, an interventional cardiologist, suggests taking short walks throughout the day to break up long periods of sitting.
Dr. Leonard Planko adds that spending time outdoors helps, especially soaking in the sunlight for vitamin D. Hugging a tree might even reduce stress!
For more unexpected ways to improve heart health, Dr. Kimberly Skelding, division chief of cardiovascular services, recommends snuggling, as it releases oxytocin, a hormone that lowers blood pressure. Socializing is also important, says Dr. Jean, as it helps reduce stress and loneliness, which both affect heart health.
Parade provides excellent insights, helping readers understand that making small changes in lifestyle, managing stress, and even having fun can significantly reduce heart attack risks.
https://parade.com/health/strange-thing-that-reduces-heart-attack-risk-according-to-cardiologists