Heart Disease - Prevention Is Better than Cure

Heart disease prevention is becoming a matter of great concern as increasing numbers are diagnosed with some form of this disease. With stress levels increasing in our fast-paced society, heart disease is rapidly nearer epidemic proportions.

This month (April 2007), a reported study showed that workers with high job strain levels have higher Blood Pressure than workers with less strain. The study was reported in the April issue of the “Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine”, official publication of the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (ACOEM).

Heart disease prevention could begin by opting out of every form of employment that involved stress, but that is unrealistic. So what heart disease prevention steps can you take?

Heart Disease Prevention Measures

You will want to discuss these with your physician. Ask if there is any reason you should not pursue one of them, and whether he or she would recommend additional measures.

* Eating Habits - Obesity, cholesterol, and salt intake are just three heart disease prevention factors that can be controlled by eating habits. As with every other physical concern, it is important to reach and maintain a healthy WEIGHT for your body. Lowering cholesterol and sodium intake will also be important heart disease prevention measures. Add fruits and vegetables to your diet along with more fiber. It is easier to eat whatever you want, and as much as you want, but you will increase your heart disease risks.

* Exercise - It seems that every medical concern is addressed by two things: diet and exercise. Our bodies are fine machines that run best when they have proper fuel and exercise. Heart disease prevention calls for daily exercise such as walking, jogging, cycling, or swimming. Those with sedentary lifestyles can take advantage of shopping trips to park farther from the store door, and walk more briskly around the store to increase exercise. If you work in a building with stairs and elevator or escalator, opt for the stairs as a further heart disease prevention measure.

* Smoking - Nicotine must go if you are serious about heart disease prevention. Even second-hand smoking will increase the risk of contracting some form of heart disease. If you are the smoker, do whatever is necessary to quit smoking permanently. If someone else in the family smokes, discuss possibilities such as that person quitting, or smoking only outdoors.

Heart disease prevention is not going to change your family history and remove all genetic predispositions toward the disease. You may not be able to change your place of employment to avoid all possible work stress.

You can, however, take definite steps toward heart disease prevention. If you are serious about doing so, we strongly recommend that you read our review of the excellent e-book on preventing and reversing heart disease.

Caution: Please remember that this information is meant for educational purposes only. You should have regular physical checkups, and discuss any symptoms with your physician.