Heart Disease Prevention

Is Heart Disease Preventable?

There are some risk factors for heart disease that are out of your control, like age, ethnicity, and family history. Fortunately, there are a number of things that you can do to help prevent heart disease.

How Do I Prevent Heart Disease?

Leading a healthy lifestyle is the best way to reduce your risk of heart disease or a heart attack. 

• Exercise regularly – regular cardiovascular exercise can strengthen your heart and improve circulation. Aim for 30 minutes a day
• Maintain a healthy weight 
• Eat heart healthy foods - fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains and foods low in saturated fats. Include healthy fats from olive oil, avocados, and nuts
• Reduce stress
• Don’t smoke or do drugs and limit your alcohol intake
• Take a low-dose aspirin – some older individuals with a high risk of a heart attack may see benefits from taking a low-dose aspirin daily. Be sure to consult with your doctor before starting an aspirin regimen

In addition, be sure to get regular health screenings to monitor your blood pressure, cholesterol and risk of diabetes as these things can all have an impact on your heart health. If you have a question about your heart health or want guidance on how to maintain a heart-healthy lifestyle, schedule a visit with one of our heart specialists or your primary care provider.

High Blood Pressure (Hypertension) and Heart Disease 

Having high blood pressure long term can cause excess strain and damage to your arteries. This can lead to a heart attack or other heart disease conditions so it’s important to keep your blood pressure under control. You cannot feel high blood pressure so be sure to have your blood pressure tested by your doctor regularly.

Learn more about high blood pressure and how it affects your heart

Cholesterol and Heart Disease

Too much bad cholesterol in your bloodstream can cause a buildup of plaque in your arteries which can lead to heart disease. Maintaining healthy cholesterol levels is an important part of preventing heart disease. Be sure to get your cholesterol levels tested by your doctor on a regular basis.

Learn more about cholesterol and its impact on heart health

Diabetes and Heart Disease

If you have diabetes, you have a higher risk of heart disease. This is because over time high blood glucose can damage your blood vessels and cause heart disease. Often diabetes can be prevented or reduced which in turn can help you prevent heart disease.

Learn more about diabetes and its connection to heart disease