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Heart Disease
Heart disease describes a range of conditions that affect your heart. Heart diseases include:
- Blood vessel disease, such as coronary artery disease
- Heart rhythm problems (arrhythmias)
- Heart defects you’re born with (congenital heart defects)
- Heart valve disease
- Disease of the heart muscle
- Heart infection
Many forms of heart disease can be prevented or treated with healthy lifestyle choices.
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What You Can Do To Help Prevent Heart Disease <p><a href="https://www.healthchoicesfirst.com/practitioner-type/cardiologist">Cardiologist, </a>discusses What You Can Do To Help Prevent Heart Disease</p>Cardiologist, discusses What You Can Do To Help Prevent Heart Disease
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The Role of Ethnicity in Cardiovascular Disease <p><a href="https://heartfailurenow.com/practitioner/dr-milan-gupta-cardiologist-brampton-on">Cardiologist</a><a href="https://www.healthchoicesfirst.com/practitioner-type/cardiologist">, </a>discusses the role of ethnicity in cardiovascular disease.</p>Cardiologist, discusses the role of ethnicity in cardiovascular disease.
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Taking Control of Atrial Fibrillation Through Healthy Living <p><a href="https://heartfailurenow.com/practitioner/ms-nicole-gorman-nurse-kelowna-bc">Nurse Practitioner,</a><a href="https://www.healthchoicesfirst.com/practitioner-type/nurse"> </a>discusses how patients diagnosed with atrial fibrillation can take control of their condition through healthy living, diet and exercise</p>Nurse Practitioner, discusses how patients diagnosed with atrial fibrillation can take control of their condition through healthy living, diet and exercise
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What You Can Do To Help Prevent Heart Disease
So in addition to medications, a critical aspect of treating patients after a heart attack
A large trial has shown that 90 percent of all heart attacks can be predicted by nine modifiable risk factors, which can be positively influenced by lifestyle changes.
The modifiable risk factors that can impact heart health include:
- Smoking: Quitting smoking is one of the most important steps to reduce the risk of heart attacks.
- High cholesterol: A healthy diet low in saturated and trans fats, along with regular exercise, can help lower cholesterol levels.
- High blood pressure: Regular exercise, reducing sodium intake, maintaining a healthy weight, and managing stress can help lower blood pressure.
- Diabetes: Managing blood sugar levels through a balanced diet, regular exercise, and medication if needed, can reduce the risk of heart attacks.
- Fruit and vegetable intake: Eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables provides essential nutrients and antioxidants that promote heart health.
- Truncal obesity: Maintaining a healthy weight, particularly around the waist, reduces the risk of heart disease.
- Physical inactivity: Regular physical activity, such as aerobic exercises and strength training, helps maintain a healthy heart and overall cardiovascular fitness.
- High levels of psychosocial stress: Managing stress through techniques like relaxation exercises, meditation, or counseling can help lower the risk of heart disease.
- Lack of moderate alcohol intake: If alcohol is consumed, doing so in moderation (up to one drink per day for women and up to two drinks per day for men) may have some cardiovascular benefits, but excessive drinking can harm the heart.
These risk factors can be modified by adopting healthier lifestyle choices, including a balanced diet, regular exercise, stress management techniques, and appropriate structure reduction techniques. These lifestyle changes complement and enhance the effects of any medication prescribed by your healthcare provider following a heart attack. It's important to consult with your physician or healthcare provider for personalized advice and guidance based on your individual health condition.
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Activity Plan for Heart Failure Patients
Living a healthier life with heart failure involves several important steps, and watching your salt intake is one of them. The majority of sodium in our diets comes from processed foods rather than the salt shaker on the table. It's crucial to read food labels carefully and limit your daily sodium intake to less than 2,000 milligrams to prevent fluid retention, which can lead to swelling in the feet, legs, belly, and even the lungs, making breathing difficult.
In addition to managing your sodium intake, being physically active plays a significant role in caring for yourself as a heart failure patient. Regular exercise can improve your mental well-being, physical fitness, sleep quality, and reduce breathlessness. It's important to consult with your family physician to develop an activity plan tailored to your specific needs and capabilities. Furthermore, connecting with a local cardiac rehabilitation program can be highly beneficial, as they can provide you with an exercise prescription and guidance to help you live well with heart failure.
Remember, it's always essential to work closely with your healthcare team, including your primary care physician and any specialists involved in your care, to develop a comprehensive plan that addresses your specific needs and ensures you maintain a healthier lifestyle with heart failure.
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