Heart Attack After 40: 5 Proven Habits That Protect Your Heart

Heart

attack was once considered a disease of the elderly. But now, due to lifestyle changes, heart attacks are striking younger adults - especially those in their 40s or even in their 30s. Doctors say poor dietary habits, lack of exercise, and stress conditions are putting mid-life adults at a greater risk than ever before. However, you can prevent this deadly condition with a few changes and regular monitoring. According to experts, while most heart attacks are not caused by just one bad day, they are built quietly over the years, due to ignored health. A few habits you can change to protect your heart health include:

Taking short walks after every meal

According to experts, taking short walks after meals is one of the best ways to take care of your heart, especially in the 40s when cardiovascular function begins to dwindle. After eating, make sure to go for just a 10-minute stroll, whether in the office or at home, to help manage your blood sugar, blood pressure, digestion, or weight. Even a 2 to 10-minute stroll offers benefits as it helps lower blood pressure - a major heart risk factor.

Eat more fibre

Consuming more fibre is the best way to support heart health – especially as you enter your 40s. According to experts, fibre supports in various ways, including lowering cholesterol, maintaining healthy blood pressure, and reducing overall cardiovascular disease risk. Found naturally in foods like oats, beans, and apples, fibre binds with cholesterol particles in the digestive system and removes them from the body before they are absorbed into the bloodstream, thereby helping you manage LDL or bad cholesterol levels.

Regulate sleep

One of the best ways to take care of your heart is to make sure you get to sleep uninterrupted for at least 7 to 8 hours daily. Following consistent nighttime regulation strategies helps keep blood sugar, cholesterol, and blood pressure levels – major markers of heart attacks and stroke – under control. Doctors say that in their 40s, your metabolism mostly begins to slow, and the cumulative effects of chronic stress and poor lifestyle habits can become more pronounced.

Ditch plastics

Exposure to plastics like BPA and phthalates, which are major chemical additives that cause hidden risk factors for heart diseases, should be completely avoided. According to studies, these chemicals lead to chronic inflammation, hormonal imbalance, and the development of arterial plaque – all of which spike the risk of heart attacks and strokes. While it is not possible to completely avoid plastics, you can try to swap them with steel, glass, or paper.

Get tested regularly

As you hit 40, it should be a part of your yearly routine to get health tests, including blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar, done to avoid any untoward incident. Tests like stress or ECG help catch silent risks like hypertension or high cholesterol early, as heart issues become more common, thereby preventing major problems. Tests like ECG, which records the heart's electrical activity, echocardiography, which is an ultrasound of the heart for structure and function, and thyroid and kidney function tests impact metabolism and overall heart health.