Every day 100 people (50 men and 50 women) in the Netherlands die from cardiovascular disease: many lives can be saved, however, by being alert to the first symptoms and acting quickly. If you catch it in time, you have a 95% chance of being healed. We share 8 tips that reduce the risk of heart attack.
What is a heart attack?
The heart muscle needs oxygen to function properly. Blood carries oxygen to the heart muscle. Blood flows through the blood vessels that line the outside of the heart. These blood vessels are called coronary arteries. Sometimes one of the coronary arteries is partially or completely closed. This is usually because there is a blood clot in it. So too little blood with oxygen can reach part of the heart. The cells in that part of the heart muscle are destroyed. As a result, the heart muscle functions less well. This is a heart attack (myocardial infarction).
The numbers
The risk of mortality increases from the age of 55. Men die at a young age age to heart and vascular diseases than women. Average age to the death of heart and vascular diseases he was 78 for men and 84 for women. – Women die more often than men from stroke and heart failure, while men die more often from acute myocardial infarction.
8 tips to reduce the risk of heart attack
- watch your weight
Obese people are more likely to develop cardiovascular disease than healthy people. So eat healthy and get enough exercise. Not sporty? Walking for half an hour a day reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease - cigarette ban
It is always worth quitting smoking. Even when you are over 50 and smoke every day. People who “passively smoke” also have a higher risk of cardiovascular disease. - Prevent long-term stress
If you are constantly under stress, this can lead to an increase in blood pressure, among other things. But it’s not just the pressure of work that plays a role in this. Feelings of anxiety and situations over which you lose control also lead to an increased level of stress. And what about our hectic existence. Yoga and meditation can help you relax. - Be careful with alcohol
Drinking too much alcohol is bad for your health. Limit it to one glass of alcohol per day. Long-term excessive alcohol consumption increases the risk of hypertension, cardiovascular disease, but also other conditions. - Don’t eat too salty
Ready meals, sauces and snacks contain a lot of salt and are best left alone. Eating a lot of salt increases blood pressure. An added effect is that your heart is busier pumping blood around. Open your eyes? Check the packaging of the products to find out how much salt is in them and compare them with each other. - Follow a varied diet
When your menu is made up of too many saturated fats, your risk of cardiovascular disease increases. Choose lean and partially skimmed products, cook them with olive oil more often, use a handful of unsalted nuts instead of chips. - Get checked regularly
A heart attack is often caused by high blood pressure or cholesterol. It is therefore safe to have your blood readings checked regularly by your doctor. - Recognize the symptoms
If you are short of breath, have chest pain or upper back pain, see a doctor. If you are very worried, you can go to the emergency room. But don’t go around with complaints for too long.
