Sudden cardiac arrest is one of the leading causes of death in the United States. While proper cardiac care can prevent occurrences, it is still of significant concern; even if an occurrence isn’t fatal, it can lead to a reduction in quality of life and other health complications down the road. This is true for older Americans, but is also of particular concern for American men between 35 and 44—and especially for men 45-55, as it’s the most common cause of death.
However, taking precautions early on can lower both males’ and females’ chances of experiencing cardiac arrest, especially early on. While each person’s heart health relies on many, many variables, the following care can help ensure you live a healthier, happier life.
It can be tempting and easy to routinely opt for red meat and fried or processed foods. While these options are OK for most people in moderation, they can lead to a host of complications if consumed regularly. Diet plays a huge role in how well (or poorly) our hearts function, so it’s about adopting a healthier daily, weekly, and monthly diet.
While everyone’s dietary needs are different, adopting the following foods into your diet are a good idea for optimal heart health:
Meal Prep
When you’re preparing your meals, opt for herbs and spices instead of salt. Salt is fine in moderation, but it can easily sneak up on you if you salt your food during preparation and right before eating. Still, it’s usually better to prepare more of your meals than eating out. Most restaurants use much more salt as a preservative than should be regularly consumed as part of a healthy diet.
Diet is an important part of heart health, but it’s only one part. Our bodies need healthy fuel to function most optimally. But to really keep our hearts in shape, we need to sweat. Regular exercise—whether walking, jogging, hiking, or hitting the gym—helps keep our hearts healthy and the odds of cardiac arrest much lower.
Stay Active
Regularly movement can help reduce the risk of the following:
Smoking is one of the worst decisions you can make for your heart’s health. In fact, smoking can increase your risk of death from cardiac arrest threefold. There are no health benefits to be gained from smoking, and you should cease as soon as possible.
However, we know kicking a habit like smoking is not easy. For many, it’s one of the most difficult challenges people can face—but the benefits are worth it. When you quit, make sure you have a support system to help you when you’re tempted to smoke. Just talking with a friend, family member, or coworker can make a huge difference.
Whether you’re concerned about your heart health and are looking for medical guidance on cardiac care or you need a more urgent procedure, Champing and Heart and Vascular can help. We offer a variety of services that can help you improve your heart health, prevent conditions, and help you recover from heart-related issues. Reach out to us today to schedule your appointment in Dunn or Henderson, NC, or to learn more.
