Six steps may help to reduce the risk of a heart attack

Reducing the risk of a heart attack boils down to six simple actions, according to the National Institutes of Health Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. Yet, each year an estimated 1.1 million Americans experience a heart attack and 460,000 of those people die from it.

“Taking preventive steps is crucial to avoiding a heart attack,” said Jenni Markos, M.S., an exercise physiologist at Texas Health Fitness Center HEB who works with the cardiac rehab program. “These days many resources are available online or through a physician’s office to help decrease an individual’s risk of a heart attack. Basically, individuals should live healthy, active lifestyles and maintain a healthy diet along with working alongside their physician.”

To help lower the risk of heart attack, the institute recommends that individuals:
• Stop smoking,
• Lower high blood pressure,
• Lower cholesterol,
• Maintain a healthy weight,
• Live an active lifestyle, and
• Manage diabetes.

The American Heart Association says to look for these signs that can mean a heart attack is happening:
• Chest discomfort, including uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain.
• Discomfort in other areas of the upper body, such as one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.
• Shortness of breath.
• Sweating and cold sweat with clammy skin.
• Anxiety
• Pain with physical exertion.

If you suspect you or a loved one could be having a heart attack, call for emergency medical help immediately. Don't waste time trying to diagnose the symptoms or driving to the hospital. Often people affected aren't sure what's wrong and wait too long before getting help.