Millions of people die from coronary heart disease each year in the U.S., so it is important that you know how to protect yourself from developing it. Heart disease develops over a number of years, and it can be fatal for many. If you want to live a long and healthy life, you will need to find out what exactly you can do to prevent this condition. Coronary heart disease is entirely avoidable, provided you take the proper steps.

Millions of people die from coronary #heart disease each year in the U.S., so it is important that you know how to protect yourself from developing it.Click To Tweet

Create a Plan for Healthy Eating

One of the most effective ways to prevent coronary heart disease is to come up with a plan for healthier eating. The foods you eat each day will play a vital role in determining just how healthy you really are. It is important that you have a balanced diet with plenty of fruits vegetables, protein, vitamins and minerals. The healthier you eat, the less likely you will be to develop heart disease later on in life.

Stay Active

Another great way to prevent heart disease from sneaking up on you is to stay physically active on a regular basis. There are tons of different ways to get exercise each day. Whether it is going for a walk outside or cycling a few miles, your options are practically endless. The more active you are, the healthier you are going to be. Cardiovascular exercise is great for the heart, though you should also think about getting into resistance training if you really want to get fit.

Understand Your Risks

There are a number of risk factors that you should be aware of when it comes to developing coronary heart disease. The older a person is, the more likely they are to have these health issues. Genetics are another key factor in determining how likely a person is to become a victim of heart disease. While there isn’t much you can do about your genetic makeup, there are many ways to decrease your chances of dying young. It is highly recommended that you take the time to find out if there is a history of heart problems in your family.

Quit Smoking/Don’t Smoke

If you are already a smoker, you will want to quit as soon as possible. The longer you smoke, the more likely you are to develop heart disease. There is plenty of scientific evidence that shows smoking can lead to heart attacks and strokes as well as a myriad of other health issues. Those who smoke are far more likely to develop heart disease than non-smokers.

Keep Your Blood Pressure Under Control

Your blood pressure also plays an important part in whether or not you develop coronary heart disease over time. By making a point of keeping your BP in check over the years, you can increase your chances of living a long and healthy life. One of the best ways to avoid hypertension is by reducing the amount of stress you experience on a regular basis. There are plenty of ways to de-stress each day such as meditation, exercise or just listening to some music. The higher your blood pressure shoots up, the more likely you will be to have these health problems at some point in your life.

Limit Your Caloric Intake

Make sure that you keep close track of the number of calories you consume on a daily basis. By keeping your calorie intake under control, it will be much easier for you to avoid having a heart attack later on. Those who have diabetes will need to be particularly careful of the number of calories they consume, as their risk for heart attack/heart disease is much higher than the average person. If you typically drink a lot of soda, you should consider making the switch to water or tea. Most people don’t realize how many calories they consume in liquid form alone.

Visit Your Doctor Regularly

You will want to make regular appointments with your physician to get check-ups so they can tell you how your health is. If you are exhibiting any signs of heart disease, your doctor can help you get back on track. Early detection of heart disease can be incredibly helpful when it comes to staying as healthy as possible and living long.

Educate Yourself

There is new information about heart disease coming out all the time, so you will want to stay on top of it. The more you educate yourself in these matters, the easier it will be to maintain your own heart health over time.

There is no question that heart disease is a huge problem in the U.S., and it’s imperative that you do everything you can to avoid becoming just another victim. With all of the different ways to prevent coronary heart disease, you really don’t have any excuses.

What are you doing to prevent coronary heart disease?
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