Heart attack deaths have risen for the first time in 50 years according to the British Heart Foundation. This is due to the slowdown in the rate of improvement in death rates combined with a growing population. Heart attacks are a major cause of death both in the UK and worldwide and is a very serious medical emergency. When the supply of blood to the heart is suddenly blocked, a clot is formed and this causes heart attacks. What are the ways a person can reduce their risk of having a heart attack?
Eat tomatoes
Tomatoes could improve the health of your heart as they’re rich in lycopene, according to dietitian Rachael Link.
Lycopene has antioxidant properties that help the body to get rid of harmful free radicals.
Without enough lycopene in the blood, you’re more at risk of some deadly conditions, including heart attacks and strokes. “Diet plays a major role in heart health and can impact your risk of heart disease,” Link wrote on medical website Healthline.
In fact, certain foods can influence blood pressure, triglycerides, cholesterol levels and inflammation, all of which are risk factors for heart disease.
Take note of sleeping patterns
When a person sleeps and often has repeated pauses in their breathing throughout the night, these breathing interruptions could threaten your heart’s health.
Snoring is one very obvious sign that you have sleep apnea and this ongoing unhealthy way of sleeping puts you at major risk.
Snoring is caused by the tongue not having enough room in the back of the throat, particularly in those people who are obese.
Cut out trans and saturated fats
Eating too much trans or saturated fat will majorly increase a person’s risk of developing a heart attack.
Trans and saturated fat increases the risk of coronary heart disease and high blood cholesterol levels.
This can lead to a build up of plaques in the arteries and this increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
Manage your other health conditions
Risky health conditions that could increase your chance of having a heart attack must be well-managed.
Risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, obesity and a lack of physical activity can greatly increase a person’s chances of having a heart attack
Reduce stress
A few studies have noted a relationship between coronary heart disease risk and stress in a person’s life that may affect the risk factors for heart disease and stroke.
People under stress often overeat, start smoking or smoke far more than otherwise.
Research has even shown that stress reaction in young adults predicts middle-age blood pressure risk putting a person at higher risk of having heart attack.
Complications of a heart attack can be serious and possibly life-threatening. These complications can occur quickly after a heart attack and are a leading cause of death
NHS
Eating a healthy, balanced diet is also crucial to reduce your chances of having a heart attack.
You could also lower your risk of a myocardial infarction by doing regular exercise.
Everyone should aim to do at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity every week.
Common heart attack symptoms include severe chest pain, difficulty breathing, and feeling an overwhelming sensation of anxiety.
You may also be having a heart attack if you start excessively sweating for no obvious reason.
Every seven minutes in the UK, someone has a heart attack. The NHS said: “Complications of a heart attack can be serious and possibly life-threatening. These complications can occur quickly after a heart attack and are a leading cause of death.”
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