Reverse Heart Disease

Just another muscle but the most important of all that will keep you alive - the heart, can develop diseases when left uncared for. Lack of exercise, obesity and unhealthy lifestyle are sited as the major reasons for heart disease. Heart disease is the most common health problem faced by people around the world. Heart disease is one amongst the primary causes for death amongst men and women in the US. Heart diseases can also lead to other medical conditions like diabetes, stroke, etc.

High cholesterol, high blood pressure and/or heart disease can result in an early heart attack in many people. The good news for such people is that reversing heart disease is possible. People who have suffered from a mild heart attack can also try and reverse heart diseases. Reversing heart disease is not just for people who have already experienced a heart attack; it is applicable for all individuals.

Simple aspects like avoiding food that is high in cholesterol and saturated fats can help reverse heart disease. Eating plenty of fruits, vegetables and food high in fiber are imperative for a healthy heart. Eating healthy at all times might not be possible due to the hectic lifestyles we follow these days. You can take useful supplements like, fish oil capsules, fiber supplements, garlic capsules etc to maintain a healthy heart.

Reversing heart disease in simpler terms means adopting a healthier lifestyle and following it all through your life. Regular health checkups and keeping a check on your blood pressure are imperative to keep your heart healthy and functioning perfectly. Do not look at reversing and prevention of heart disease as restrictions on your lifestyle but recognize it as a measure to improve the quality of life.

People who have already experienced heart diseases can also follow the reversal and prevention plan provided below. Reversing and preventing heart diseases can be achieved by

• Following a strict and healthy diet.
  
• Reducing stress levels.
  
• Exercising regularly.
  

• Heart disease can be reversed only if it is identified early.
  
• Plan for regular health check-ups.
  
• Never overeat, eat small frequent meals instead of eating one large meal. Never skip a meal too.
  
• Eat a diet that is heart friendly; include salmon, blueberries, spinach, etc. Changing your diet can help prevent or even reverse heart disease.
  
• Consume a protein rich diet.
  
• Stress is a prime factor contributing to heart disease in scores of people. Learn to de-stress your body by exercising regularly. Yoga and breathing exercises are found to be highly beneficial for the heart.
  
• Your heart is a muscle like any other and it should be exercised like the rest. Cardiovascular exercises can help your heart and keep it fit.
  
• Try and avoid food containing excessive saturated fat, sugar and cholesterol such as baked sweets, oily food, candies. Consume healthy fat like canola oil, olive oil, etc.
  
• Watch your blood pressure.
  
• Learn to mange your cholesterol levels. High cholesterol levels can prove fatal for your heart.
  
• Exercise regularly. If you have not exercised until date, start with a little walking and stretching daily. This will definitely benefit your heart as the heart will get the exercise it needs.
  

• Include plenty of fresh fruits, whole grains and vegetables in your diet.
  
• Exercise regularly. While exercising if you experience excessive pain and shortness in breath, stop your workout and consult a doctor immediately.
  
• Lose weight, start a low-fat diet and get into the desirable weight slab.
  
• If you belong to a family with history of heart disease, talk to your doctor about it.
  
• Ensure that your blood pressure is under control.
  
• Drink plenty of water.
  
• Avoid saturated fat and trans-fat in your diet. Choose foods that are low in saturated fat.
  
• Quit smoking.
  
• Limit salt (sodium) intake.
  
• Limit food high in cholesterol.
  
• Eat foods that have high levels of omega-3 fatty acids, such as fish.
  
• Maintain a healthy weight, watch the number of calories you consume and make sure you balance your calorie intake and your physical activity.
  
• Check your blood cholesterol level.
  
• If you are diabetic, keep your blood sugar levels within desirable limits.
  

Heart Attack Prevention

Lifestyle is the key to a person's healthy heart. People who have already gone through a heart attack can also prevent a heart attack by combining drug therapy with a healthy life style. For those who have already faced a heart attack or for people who are at the risk of having one, doctors prescribe drug therapy.

Blood-thinning medications: Drugs like aspirin reduce the stickiness in your blood and hence prevent it from clotting. People who have had a heart attack should take aspirin everyday.

Cholesterol-lowering/controlling medications: Medications like statins, niacin, fibrates and bile acid sequestrants can reduce blood cholesterol levels. Cholesterol-lowering medications can prevent subsequent heart attacks.

Beta blockers: These drugs help in lowering the heart rate and blood pressure. This will reduce the demand on your heart and thereby prevent further heart attacks.

Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors: ACE inhibitors are prescribed for almost all patients after a heart attack. These drugs allow the blood to flow from your heart more easily and also prevent few of the complications of heart attacks thus reducing the chances of a second heart attack.

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