Although some risk factors for heart attack cannot be controlled (such as your age or family history), you can take steps to lower your risk by changing the factors you can control.
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How to protect your heart
Lloyd-Jones offers these ideas to stay safer:
Know the warning signs: It’s important to know the signs of a heart attack — they vary in men and women — and to call 911 immediately. The sooner a person starts receiving treatment, the better the chances of survival and preventing heart damage.
Practice moderation: During the holidays, eat and drink in moderation, try to choose healthy foods and watch your sodium intake.
Look after yourself: Aim to reduce stress from family interactions, financial struggles, hectic schedules, travel and other challenges during the holidays.
Be sure to exercise: Find creative ways to be active, such as going for a family walk or another fun activity you can do with your loved ones.
Stick to your medications: Busy holidays can lead to skipping medications, forgetting them when away from home, or not getting refills in a timely manner. It’s also important to keep tabs on your blood pressure numbers.
Your heart is one of the most important parts of your body, so it is important that you take good care of it. Luckily, it’s something that you can work on with small gradual steps every day.