5 Effortless Lifestyle Tweaks That Can Protect You from a Heart Attack

Heart

attacks are among the leading causes of death across the world. Mostly, they come without a warning, and so it is important to prevent the occurrence through easy and simple lifestyle changes. And so, five effortless tweaks that can protect your heart from an impending heart attack – a combination of lifestyle and diet – include:

Walks after every meal

Whether you are a busy professional or a teenager, for your healthy and long life, you need to put in some effort by going for a walk, even for ten minutes after every meal. It not only boosts digestion but also helps reduce inflammation and control instant blood sugar spikes in the body that happen after you eat. A ten-minute stroll, just outside your home or office area, helps your body use glucose for energy rather than storing it, and so, it improves insulin sensitivity, and prevents blood clots, apart from managing blood pressure - all of which are key factors in heart disease prevention.

Look after your sleep

It is not just shocking but also worrying to know that lack of sleep increases the risk of heart disease by 200 per cent. Getting at least 7 to 8 hours of daily sleep significantly reduces your chances of a heart attack as it lowers inflammation, blood pressure, and blood sugar levels. Apart from sleeping longer hours, it is also crucial to maintain a consistent sleep schedule - even on weekends and holidays.

Keep your weight in check

One of the most important ways to keep your heart healthy is by losing weight and maintaining it consistently. According to experts, if there is no extra weight in your body, your heart does not have to work harder to pump blood, which helps reduce blood pressure levels. Lower blood pressure minimizes the risk of arterial damage, crucial in preventing cardiovascular diseases like heart attacks and strokes.

Stay away from plastics

According to studies, exposure to plastic materials and their chemical compounds, BPA and phthalates, can lead to inflammation, oxidative stress, and hormonal imbalance – all of which cause issues with your cardiovascular system. Doctors say microplastics are present in the environment in huge numbers, spiking the production of free radicals that damage your heart muscle cells and other cells. These chemicals also interfere with heart cell operations and calcium signaling pathways - essential for proper heart muscle contractions and rhythm maintenance. The full impact of plastic exposure on cardiovascular health remains under study, but experts recommend using glass or stainless steel instead of plastic for hot food and drink storage and avoiding plastic food packaging to minimize this hidden cardiovascular threat.

Regular heart testing

It is important to get regular heart health testing like blood pressure checks, cholesterol tests, and blood sugar tests - along with the electrocardiogram done from time to time. A few other tests, like stress tests, echocardiograms, and coronary calcium scoring, can help identify risk factors or underlying issues early, allowing for timely intervention through lifestyle changes or medication.