Heart Disease
Information, Symptoms, Treatments and Resources
What Is a Heart Attack?
Prevention
Prevention
While you can’t control all of your risk factors such as age — men over the age of 45 and women over the age of 55 or after menopause are more likely to suffer a heart attack — and family history of heart disease, adopting healthy lifestyle habits are the most important things you can do to avoid having a heart attack:
- Reach and keep a healthy weight
- Eat a nutritious diet
- Get regular exercise
- Don’t smoke
- Drink alcohol in moderation
- Find healthy ways to cope with stress
- Keep your blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar in normal, healthy ranges, and
- See your doctor for checkups as often as directed.
By Jenilee Matz, MPH. Jenilee Matz, MPH, is a medical writer, health educator, and triathlete based in Charlotte, NC. Published May 29, 2012.
