4 effective ways to prevent coronary artery disease
Coronary artery disease is one of the common ailments that continue to claim millions of lives each year. This condition occurs when the major blood vessels which are responsible for supplying blood, oxygen, and nutrients to the heart become diseased or damaged. The cholesterol-containing deposits in the arteries and the inflammation caused by it are the major culprits that trigger coronary artery disease. When the plaque builds up over time, the blood flow to the heart decreases eventually, and this gives rise to symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, and in certain severe cases, it causes a heart attack.
Coronary artery disease is caused by high blood pressure, smoking, high cholesterol, diabetes, insulin resistance, and sedentary lifestyle. Though this condition appears to be quite formidable, there are ways to prevent falling prey to it. Read on to know about the effective measures to prevent coronary artery disease.
Make essential changes to your diet
The major causes of coronary artery disease like high blood pressure and high cholesterol often stem from erroneous eating habits. The plaque build-up is often caused by high cholesterol and this occurs when you aren’t eating healthy food. So, to ensure that you do not develop coronary artery disease, you need to make some major amends to your diet. Eat plant-based foods which are naturally free from cholesterol and add nuts and olive oil to your diet. You can even include high-fiber foods like beans and whole grains to your diet. For a healthy heart, you will need omega-3 fatty acids which certain fish like salmon, trout, and sardines have in abundance.
Choose a form of exercise
One of the major causes of coronary artery disease is a sedentary lifestyle. This implies that inactivity can slowly tread you down a dangerous path which will lead to coronary artery disease. If you aren’t keen on going to the gym and committing yourself to a lifetime of weightlifting and running on the treadmill, you can choose a form of exercise that doesn’t seem like a punishment to you. You can opt for yoga, jogging, Zumba, brisk walking, CrossFit training, or go on a run with your dog. All you have to do is figure out which exercise routine will keep you motivated and continue performing it.
Quit smoking
Numerous ailments stem from smoking, and no one has ever benefitted from smoking. In fact, smoking and second-hand smoking are major causes of coronary artery diseases. Smoking incessantly over the years hardens the arteries that carry all the major nourishment to the heart, and the arteries gradually lose their elasticity. Smoking damages the lining of the arteries and abets the build-up of plaque or fatty material in them. This narrows the artery and can lead to chest pain, heart attack, or a stroke. So, it is advisable to stop smoking right away if one wishes to prevent the onset of coronary artery disease.
Manage stress
Stress has known to intensify any health condition and brings the individual to the brink of death. Stress coupled with the other factors that cause coronary artery disease can have fatal repercussions. Which is why it becomes imperative that you learn to reduce and manage stress. You can devise your own methods of coping with stress. Exercise, art therapy, counseling, or simply relaxing can help you deal with stress.
