Heart attacks are responsible for causing almost 1 in 25 of all deaths, according to the data published by the Heart Foundation. This equates to one person dying of a heart attack approximately every 80 minutes, or on average, 19 people every day.
To safeguard your heart, it is important to understand that there is no single fix. According to Dr Jeremy London, a board-certified heart surgeon, minimising the risk of a heart attack is multifactorial and requires five key lifestyle changes.
How to prevent a heart attack?
In an educational video shared on July 16, with the caption, “Asking a Heart Surgeon how to prevent a heart attack in 60 seconds or less,” Dr Jeremy London identified five essential lifestyle adjustments to minimise the risk of a heart attack.
He emphasised that cardiovascular health is multifactorial, requiring people to abstain from all forms of smoking and vaping and to strictly monitor their blood pressure at home. The surgeon also emphasised the importance of tracking specific cholesterol markers and maintaining stable blood glucose levels. Beyond physical health, he noted that maintaining social connections is a critical defence against heart disease.
Here are the five lifestyle reforms the heart surgeon suggests in his video:
1. Smoking
Firstly, Dr London stressed the importance of avoiding smoking. He cautioned against any form of it, including vaping, cigarettes, or marijuana.
2. Regular blood pressure check
Next, he advised checking whether you have high blood pressure. “This is crucial. [It] damages the inner lining of the blood vessel. Get a home blood pressure cuff and know your numbers,” he stressed.
3. Cholesterol
“We know it’s causal for heart disease. You need to know your ApoB and Lp(a) lab,” Dr Jeremy advised. According to the Cleveland Clinic, an ApoB (Apolipoprotein B-100) test is a blood test that can indicate your risk for cardiovascular disease.
Meanwhile, the lipoprotein (a) test measures the level of lipoprotein (a) in your blood. A high level may mean you have a high risk for heart disease and stroke.
4. Avoid insulin resistance
According to Dr Jeremy, limiting or reducing the amount of sugar in your diet. You want to keep your blood glucose very stable.
5. Avoid loneliness
“Pay attention to your social connections. This is a powerful risk factor for cardiovascular disease,” Dr Jeremy advised.
Lastly, the heart surgeon stated that if you can do these five things, you’ll stack the deck in your favour.
