Preventing Heart Attacks

Preventing heart attacks is possible even after a lifetime of bad habits. Yes, it is possible to prevent, even reverse heart disease, no matter how old you are. Here is a list of a few things that will help keep your heart healthy for many years to come.

1. Quit smoking. If you smoke cigarettes, you're at greatest risk for having a heart attack. In fact, by smoking you are at 2 1/2 times greater risk from dying of a heart attack. Even those that have smoked for years can improve their cardiovascular health by quitting.

2. Reduce your cholesterol levels. By watching your diet, not only can you reduce cholesterol levels, but you can reduce levels of saturated fat as well. Saturated fat causes your body to produce cholesterol, so reducing your intake of it can lower your risk factor for heart attack.

3. Take an aspirin. By taking an aspirin, you reduce the likelihood of having a blood clot. Also, if you've already had a heart attack, taking an aspirin each day will decrease the likelihood of having a second one. There is even some evidence that taking aspirin can help with preventing heart attacks in those with no previous history of them.

4. Lower your blood pressure. Hypertension places undue pressure on your arterial walls and places extra stress on your heart muscle. If you have high blood pressure, you are more than two times as likely to have a heart attack as someone who doesn't. Try to reduce salt levels in your diet, while increasing fresh fruits and vegetables that are high in potassium.

5. My last tip for preventing heart attacks is to exercise regularly. By participating in a regular exercise program, not only do you strengthen the heart muscle, you increase levels of the good cholesterol, while lowering levels of the bad cholesterol. It also strengthens the arterial system and helps to prevent blood clots.

For more tips on preventing blood clots, visit:

Preventing Heart Attacks - 10 Steps to Help You Live a Long, Healthy Life