| Every year, more than a million people in the United | | | | Prevention is key against heart disease especially if |
| States alone suffer from a heart attack, a stroke or | | | | there is a medical history of this in the family or |
| cardiac arrest. Studies have shown that half of those | | | | because everyone has the same sort of diet or |
| patients will die within an hour after the first symptoms | | | | lifestyle risk. This means that everyone must sit down |
| start showing and on the way to the hospital. | | | | and consult with the family physician the changes that |
| Heart diseases are the end result of many things. | | | | have to be made. |
| These include diabetes, high blood pressure, smoking, | | | | Aside from making certain changes, here are two |
| drinking and being overweight. If people do not make | | | | medications that can also be used to prevent heart |
| some lifestyle changes, the chances of this happening | | | | disease. |
| are much higher as the person gets older. | | | | The first is aspirin. Studies have shown that this can |
| So how can people prevent the occurrence of heart | | | | make the blood thinner and lessen the size of blood |
| disease? It's best for the person to undergo a physical | | | | clots especially during a heart attack. This is usually |
| exam and discuss certain things with the doctor to be | | | | given to individuals who had an experience in the past. |
| able to find a solution for each. | | | | People who want are healthy and want to use aspirin |
| If the individual smokes a lot, it is best to quit. Studies | | | | must first consult with a doctor since this drug has not |
| have shown that people who stop are able to | | | | yet been approved for use by the Food and Drug |
| decrease the risk almost immediately. It is hard to give | | | | Administration. |
| up this habit so this should be done gradually to | | | | Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor or ACE is one |
| prevent the person from having withdrawal symptoms. | | | | drug that can be used for a lot of things. This can stop |
| Having high blood pressure is usually attributed to the | | | | the production of a chemical that makes the blood |
| kind of food being consumed by the person. It is best | | | | vessels narrow and help control high blood pressure |
| then to add some fruits, vegetables and whole grains | | | | for a damaged heart muscle. |
| to the diet to balance out the oils and fats usually | | | | The doctor may recommend this to a patient after an |
| found in meat. | | | | attack or for those who's heart is unable to pump |
| Exercise can also prevent heart diseases. The person | | | | enough blood to supply the body's needs. |
| doesn't have to enroll in a gym but take an occasional | | | | There are other drugs that can be used to prevent |
| stroll or engage in a sport with friends. This will help the | | | | heart disease. The right prescription can only be given |
| individual burn excess calories and keep the heart | | | | after a thorough checkup. |
| pumping. | | | | Timing is everything when a stroke occurs. The longer |
| Alcohol as mentioned earlier may also contribute to | | | | that blood is cut off, the greater the chances of brain |
| heart disease. Studies have shown that having one or | | | | damage. It's best then to take preventive measures so |
| two drinks a day is safe while anything more than that | | | | this can be avoided. |
| is dangerous to one's health. | | | | |