If you smoke, quit. You can dramatically lower your heart attack risk. Tobacco smoke contains more than 4,800 chemicals, many of which damage your heart and blood vessels. It results in the narrowing of the arteries (atherosclerosis), which ultimately leads to a heart attack.
Smoking also decreases the amount of "good" (HDL) cholesterol and increases the "bad" (LDL) cholesterol circulating in the body. In addition, nicotine in cigarettes increases blood pressure and heart rate.
Smokers have more than twice the risk of having a heart attack as non-smokers. Smoking is the biggest risk factor for sudden cardiac death. Smokeless tobacco and low-tar and low-nicotine cigarettes also are risky, as is exposure to secondhand smoke. But if you quit smoking, your risk of heart disease drops dramatically within just one year.
Lower blood pressure
High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a silent killer. It causes the heart to work harder. Because of this, the heart muscle can enlarge. High blood pressure can also damage the lining of the artery walls, which encourages plaque build-up. A blood pressure level of 140 over 90 mm Hg (millimeters of mercury) or higher is considered high. A healthy blood pressure is 120/80 or less.
Poor eating habits and physical inactivity both contribute to high blood pressure. Table salt increases average levels of blood pressure in some people.
Reduce cholesterol
Cholesterol is a fat-like substance in the blood. High levels of triglycerides, another form of fat in the blood, can also indicate heart disease risk. There are two types of cholesterol in the body: LDL and HDL. LDL - or "bad" - cholesterol sticks to the inside of an artery's walls, causing plaque to build up. HDL - or "good" - cholesterol circulates through the arteries and decreases the risk of plaque build-up. Cholesterol is found only in foods derived from animals, such as milk, cheese and meat.
To know your cholesterol levels you have to undergo a blood test after fasting for nine to 12 hours. A lipoprotein profile will reveal your total cholesterol, LDL and HDL. All these are measured in milligrams (mg) of cholesterol per deciliter (dL) of blood.
Know Your Heart
