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Heart disease is caused by problems with your blood flow through the arteries and chambers of your heart. One major cause of heart disease is the buildup of plaque in the walls of your arteries which is called atherosclerosis. This buildup can get worse and cause narrowing of the arteries, which can lead to blood clots, heart attacks, and strokes.
Heart disease can also be caused by cases of arrhythmia, heart failure, and heart valve defects. The good news is that you can help prevent heart disease by maintaining a good lifestyle and healthy habits. 8 ways you can prevent heart disease include.
Quitting Smoking
Smoking not only raises blood pressure, it also causes damage to the lining of your arteries and aids in the buildup of plaque along the artery walls. Even if you have smoked for a long time, quitting can significantly lower your chances of heart disease.
Maintaining a Healthy Weight
Being overweight can lead to elevated cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, and high blood sugar, which can result in diabetes. Maintaining a proper BMI will also take the stress off your heart that comes from excess weight around the middle.
Eating a Balanced Diet
Eating a balanced diet not only helps you to feel healthier, it can also help to maintain your heart, keep your cholesterol and blood pressure under control, and prevent blood sugar related conditions such as diabetes. A proper diet will also ensure that you are receiving all the nutrients you need to maintain a healthy heart.
Keeping Your Blood Pressure under Control
High blood pressure can put excess strain on the heart which causes strain and problems with blood flow. This can lead to a buildup of fat and plaque in the arteries causing the arteries to narrow. The stress from the additional pressure in your arteries can cause strain on your entire cardiovascular system.
Exercising Regularly
Being active and participating in regular exercise will help keep your weight maintained, your cholesterol down, and your heart and blood pumping and flowing at an optimum level. Regular exercise can also help maintain good blood pressure.
Maintaining a Healthy Cholesterol Level
Consuming foods high in cholesterol will lead to artery plaque buildup. This will narrow the flow and sometimes cause clots which can lead to heart attack and stroke. Keeping your cholesterol at a manageable level will help maintain blood flow and prevent our heart from overworking.
Monitoring Your Blood Sugar
If you have high blood sugar or diabetes, you should have your blood sugar regularly checked. Diabetes can increase your risk of heart disease especially if it is not being treated.
Having Regular Doctor Visits
Scheduling routine wellness visits and going to the doctor when you have symptoms is an integral part of preventing heart disease. Your doctor will not only monitor you blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol levels, and heart rate, they will also be able to look for early signs of heart disease and schedule appropriate follow-up if necessary.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. Following the steps above will not only help you prevent heart disease in the future, but put you on the path to a new and healthier you.