While genetics and one's family history cannot be controlled, many of the other risk factors listed above are subject to modification. Your physician can discuss ways to lower your risk of heart attack.
How Can I Prevent a Heart Attack?
Since prevention is always the best medicine, it would be wise to know what you can do to avoid having a heart attack. Most healthy individuals are encouraged to engage in some form of physical activity, such as walking for thirty minutes three times a week.
If you are a smoker, now is the time to stop. Studies have shown that the longer a person remains smoke free, the lower the risk of heart attack. In other words, it's never too late to stop smoking.
What you eat can also affect your risk. Studies have shown that eating a diet high in fruits and vegetables and low in saturated fats can lower the risk of getting many of the conditions which contribute to heart disease, such as diabetes, hypertension and obesity.
Also, you should always take all of your medication as prescribed, particularly if you already have an illness such as high cholesterol that puts you at risk for a heart disease. Your physician may also routinely perform blood tests and EKGs during office visits. An EKG is a painless test using adhesive pads placed on the chest wall to measure the heart's electrical activity.
