Heart Disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in most ethnic groups and according to the CDC someone has a heart attack every 40 seconds in the United States. Coronary heart disease is the most common type of heart disease and research shows that 18.2 million adults age 20 and older have it.
READ: How Women’s Heart Attacks Are Different Than Men’s
So I know you are wondering, what can I do to prevent a heart attack and if I had one in the past what can I do to protect myself from it reoccurring? Can you reverse heart disease? These are the most common questions that most people ask but the key to prevention is simple; you have to be disciplined and change your lifestyle.
Think of it this way, if you are dealing with a weight issue; the pounds you gained did not appear suddenly overnight. It took days, weeks, months, and years for you to compile that unhealthy weight onto your body and it’s going to take time, discipline and patience for you to get it off. The same method applies to your heart when it comes to heart disease and reversing the effects of your former lifestyle.
Just remember “ Don’t ignore the signs; if you have a heart, you can have an attack” and no one is exempt from the unfortunate pain that happens when part of the heart muscle doesn’t get enough blood supply. Your heart is a muscle and a severe spasm or sudden contraction of the coronary artery can stop your blood flow to your heart muscle.
READ: Don’t Ignore The Signs: “If You Have A Heart, You Can Have An Attack.”
Let’s discuss the symptoms of a heart attack and then talk about the risks and how you can reverse heart damage. Most heart attacks involve some level of discomfort within your chest. This pain can feel like someone squeezing or applying pressure in the center or the left side of your chest. This discomfort or pain can last for a few minutes, disappear and then return.
You could also feel shortness of breath along with chest pain and you may also break out into a cold sweat. Most people also experience back pain, neck, jaw, arms and shoulders pain accompanied with unexplained tiredness, nausea or vomiting. If you find yourself with these symptoms, immediately seek help and call 9-1-1 because every second counts and in some cases a heart attack may require CPR or a defibrillator.
READ: 911 Basics: Responding To A Heart Attack
You are more at risk of having a heart attack and heart disease if you have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoke, or have a family history of these risk factors. Making simple adjustments to your lifestyle can significantly reduce your chances of getting a heart attack or having heart disease. First, start with a change in your mindset and follow through with action. Start with an “I can” and “I will do this now” attitude because you will not be able to overcome your lifestyle changes if you don’t see a need to change your former habits and realize that you have the power to control them.