Heart attacks are more common than many people think. People are having heart attacks all over the US at all parts of the day. It is estimated that many Americans will have a heart attack this year and some of those people will die. There are things you can do to increase cardiovascular health and prevent a heart attack. You will want to eat healthier and get plenty of exercise. Woman and men alike are encouraged to do this. It is also encouraged to quit smoking if you smoke, even if you quit now, you increase your chance of reducing your risk by quite a bit.

Key Takeaways:

• There are about one million heart attacks in the US each year, with about 14 percent being lethal.
• You can greatly improve heart health with 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week, but even less than that can have significant benefits.
• Eating a balanced, nutrient-rich diet can help control your cholesterol, blood pressure, and other risk factors.

“The first step toward a healthier lifestyle for anyone who smokes is to quit. Research has shown that smoking increases heart rate, tightens major arteries, and can cause an irregular heart rhythm, all of which makes your heart work harder. Smoking also raises blood pressure, which increases the risk of stroke.”

Read more: https://www.theunion.com/lifestyles/health/know-your-risk-reduce-your-risk-take-steps-to-prevent-heart-attack/