DECREASE YOUR RISK OF HEART ATTACK

The American Heart Association recommends several steps that can be taken to prevent heart attacks:

quit smoking
lower your blood cholesterol level if it is high
exercise regularly
lose excess weight and
keep your blood pressure within healthy limits

If you smoke, stop now. A smoker's chance of heart attack is greatly increased over that of a nonsmoker. Smoking is the biggest risk factor for sudden death. One in five deaths from heart diseases are credited to smoking.

Have your blood cholesterol checked. The risk of a heart attack rises as blood cholesterol increases. The risk is even greater when other risks, such as high blood pressure and smoking, are also present. A diet high in saturated fat and cholesterol raises blood cholesterol. A diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol usually lowers it.

Lack of exercise is a risk factor for heart disease. The heart is a muscle and if it is out of shape, it does not work as well as it should. Routine exercise plays a crucial role in preventing heart and blood vessel disease. Adults should get at least 30 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise most days of the week, preferably daily. (Children need at least 60 minutes a day.) Doing less than this will minimize your health benefits. Moderate aerobic exercise is generally defined as requiring about as much energy as walking 2 miles in 30 minutes. Seek medical advice before starting any exercise program.

People who have too much body fat are more likely to develop heart disease and stroke even if they have no other risk actors. Being overweight increases the strain on the heart. It raises blood pressure and blood cholesterol and can lead to diabetes.

High blood pressure increases the heart's workload. This causes the heart to enlarge and weaken over time. It also raises the risk of stroke, heart attack, kidney failure, and heart failure. The risk of heart attack is greatly increased when high blood pressure is combined with obesity, smoking, high blood cholesterol levels, or diabetes.

For more information, contact your local chapter of the American Heart Association, call the national office at (800) 242-8721, or visit their website at www.americanheart.org.

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

HIL File PREV4296.RF2 VRS# 6124 Data Version 7.0