How to Prevent a Heart Attack?

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How to Prevent a Heart Attack?

 

Can you prevent a heart attack from happening? If so, how?

 

-- Chris Shriver

 

Today's Answer

 

You absolutely can prevent a heart attack. You can make many changes in your

diet and lifestyle that reduce the risk of one ever happening.

 

First, if you smoke, quit. Nicotine constricts your arteries, increases the

heart's workload and reduces the blood's capacity to carry oxygen.

 

Next, get to work on your blood cholesterol.

High cholesterol leads to the buildup on coronary arteries known as

atherosclerosis, which reduces the blood supply to the heart and increases the

probability of clots.

 

Most heart attacks result from blood clots that close off an already narrowed

and roughened arterial wall.

 

You don't need to take drugs to lower cholesterol. Instead, reduce the saturated

fat in your diet by cutting way back on meat, butter, and Dairy products. If you

also have a low HDL cholesterol and high triglyceride levels, reduce the sugars

and starches in your diet as well.

 

Keep your weight and your blood pressure within normal range.

 

Avoid hydrogenated fats and processed foods.

 

Incorporate protective foods in your diet: hot peppers, raw garlic, ginger root,

shiitake mushrooms, alaskan salmon and green tea. Eat lots of fruits and

vegetables, especially greens, to make sure you get plenty of folic acid.

 

Folic acid reduces the level of an amino acid called homocysteine that can

damage arteries.

A supplement of at least 400 mcg folic acid is a good idea. Also, take an

antioxidant formula. Vitamin C, magnesium, Coq10, Hawthorn berry, Selenium and

Niacin protect the integrity of artery walls, and vitamin E helps prevent

atherosclerosis by blocking the oxidation of bad (LDL) cholesterol.

 

 

Ease up on the coffee and other caffeinated liquids. Caffeine increases the

workload of your heart and makes it harder to relax.

 

 

Exercise is extremely important. Aim for 30 minutes of aerobic activity five

days a week. This will improve your heart's pumping ability and tone your entire

system. It reduces the chance of abnormal clots and lessens the danger of sudden

death should you have a heart attack.

 

 

Practice relaxation techniques and try to neutralize stress. Stress -- and the

high-level reactivity that goes along with a stressed-out personality -- can

increase cholesterol and boost clotting. It can also heighten the activity of

your sympathetic nervous system -- the one that goes to work in emergencies --

and make your heart work harder.

 

You also can thin your blood by including omega-3 fatty acids in your diet. Get

them from sardines, alaskan salmon or flax seeds. If you have a diagnosis of

high cholesterol or heart disease, you may also include a high quality fish oil

supplement.

www.udoerasmus.com

 

Raw garlic and raw onions, eaten regularly, also lessen clotting danger.

 

Finally, take care of the other side of your heart. Spend time with yourself,

and forgive yourself for your imperfections. Tell your troubles to a friend --

and listen to theirs. Learn how to express your feelings, and connect with

others in your life that you love.

Andrew Weil, Ph.D.

www.drweil.com

 

_________________

JoAnn Guest

mrsjoguest

DietaryTipsForHBP

http://www.geocities.com/mrsjoguest

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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