Heart Attack

Coronary heart disease causes more than 1.2 million heart attacks each year. The American Heart Association states that more than 7 million people suffer from a heart attack in their lifetime every year.

A large percentage of people die in the emergency department or before reaching the hospital. CPR helps improve chances of survival of heart attack victims.

The American Heart Association strongly recommends that everyone must learn and master the technique of CPR as it increases the chances of survival and lets one save the precious life of someone having heart attack.

There are several risk factors for heart disease. Some are controllable and others are uncontrollable.

The controllable risk factors include,

  • Smoking
  • High cholesterol
  • Obesity
  • Physical inactivity
  • Uncontrolled diabetes
  • Stress, anger, and anxiety
  • High blood pressure

Uncontrolled risk factors for heart disease include

  • Old age
  • Family history of heart disease
  • Male sex
  • Race
  • Post-menopausal

Though one can’t do anything to reduce one’s risk of heart disease if one has a family history of heart disease or if someone belongs to a particular race like African Americans or American Indians, or Mexican Americans.

People from these races are more likely to have heart disease than Caucasians. But one can definitely reduce one’s risk of heart disease by controlling controllable risk factors.

Here are some ways you can reduce your risk of heart disease

Quit smoking

Those who smoke are twice more likely to have heart attack than those who do not smoke at all. By giving up this habit, you can significantly cut down your risk of getting heart disease.

Reduce your cholesterol level

A diet that is low in cholesterol, and is devoid of sugars, saturated fats, and trans-fat helps control cholesterol level. You must also limit your intake of processed foods and junk food if you have high cholesterol level.

Control your blood pressure level

High blood pressure is the most common heart disease factor. You can control your blood pressure level with correct diet pattern, exercise, weight management, and medications, if required.

Manage your diabetes

Diabetes if not controlled can cause serious damage to your heart and other body parts. Diabetes can be controlled through diet, exercise, healthy body weight, and medications as prescribed by your GP.

Maintain healthy body weight

Research has shown that obesity increases the risk of heart disease. Eat right, exercise, and live an active lifestyle to shed extra weight. You may consult a nutritionist or dietician to help you get slim and healthy.

Stay active

People who don’t exercise or those who live a sedentary lifestyle are at an increased risk of heart disease. To reduce your risk of heart disease, live an active lifestyle. Go for walk, do jogging, cycling, swimming, and simple things at home like gardening. Avoid taking lift at office or at shopping malls. Taking stairs would keep you active and fit.

Manage stress and anxiety

Stress and anxiety can lead to heart attack. Manage stress through yoga, meditation or by indulging in your favorite hobbies.

It is very important to be prepared to handle emergencies. If you know what to do in times of emergency you can prevent the symptoms from getting worse and can save someone’s life. Join CPR classes in San Francisco to learn how to save someone’s life who is having a heart attack.

CPR is a valuable tool in times of emergency and if given correctly, it triples the chances of survival of the heart attack victim.