In the time that it takes Michael Phelps to swim 2 laps in an Olympic pool someone has suffered a heart attack.
Did you know that there is a heart attack case every 40 seconds in the United States?
While suffering a heart attack can be deadly, a significant number of people survive every year. If you know the right precautions to take, you can significantly reduce your risk.
4 ways to reduce your risk
1. Stay active – Maintaining a healthy and active lifestyle is the best way to prevent heart disease.
a. Adults should engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous exercises weekly.
b. If you are physically active, increasing your routine can help you reap more heart health benefits.
2. Ensure your blood pressure is under control – High blood pressure is one of the leading risk factors for heart disease. Get your blood pressure checked regularly.
Questions to ask at your next appointment:
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- How can I keep healthy blood pressure levels?
- How often should I have my blood pressure measured?
- Do I need to take medicine for high blood pressure?
- Where can I find resources on healthy eating and physical activity?
Lifestyle Changes
I will ask my health care provider about the following lifestyle changes to help lower my blood pressure:
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- Maintain a healthy weight
- Read food labels and reduce salt (sodium)
- Eat plenty of fresh veggies and fruits
- Limit saturated fats
- Limit alcohol
- Get regular physical activity
- Manage other health conditions (e.g., diabetes)
- Take medicine as directed by your provider
3. Check in on your eating plan – To avoid heart disease, taking control of your eating plan is crucial. Consider including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, legumes, plant-based proteins, lean animal protein and fish in your diet.
Make smart choices, and if you are not sure about a healthy diet, ask your healthcare provider for recommendations at your next visit.
4. Control Cholesterol Intake – Reducing your blood cholesterol levels helps keep heart disease at bay. The more low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol you have in your bloodstream, the higher the chances of getting deposited in your coronary arteries.
Cholesterol build-up leads to a restricted flow of blood, which can cause your blood vessels to rupture. The rupturing of blood vessels can lead to stroke or death.
The following are measures to help reduce your cholesterol intake:
Limit consumption of food items high in saturated fat such as butter, ghee, margarine, fatty meats, dairy fats and processed foods. Instead, switch to low-fat dairy foods.
Heart disease is the number one killer of Americans, so it’s important that we take care of our hearts and stay educated about the symptoms.
Whether you have a new health concern or something you have been dealing with long term, Internal Medicine providers aim to prevent, diagnose, and treat adult diseases.
Internal Medicine providers treat short and long term illnesses:
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- Respiratory Care
- Heart Health
- Diet, Exercise and Nutrition
- Disease Prevention
- Gastrointestinal Care
- High Blood Pressure
- High Cholesterol
- Diabetes
- Blood Disorders
- Endocrine Issues
Meet our Internal Medicine Provider, Dr. Jacqueline D’Souza, MD
Dr. D’Souza helps her patients think beyond merely treating their surface symptoms. She empowers every patient with prevention education, personalized treatments, knowledge, and tools to enhance their entire life quality.
Call 715-531-6800 for an appointment with Dr. Jacqueline D’Souza, MD
