7 tips from the British Heart Foundation to avoid heart disease

2

Fighting obesity, diabetes and a sedentary lifestyle help prevent heart disease at any age, scientists believe.

The Telegraph has published advice from the British Heart Foundation (BHF) that can help maintain heart health. What exactly do the experts recommend?

After 40 – strict control of weight and blood pressure.According to BHF staff member Dr Ashley, people who have reached the age of 40 need to monitor their condition especially carefully – at this age, many of the risk factors for heart attacks and strokes do not have pronounced, obvious symptoms. Therefore, forty-year-olds need to be aware and regularly monitor their weight, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels.

Quit alcohol.British experts emphasize that in order to avoid heart disease, it is necessary to reduce the amount of alcohol consumed, and better – to exclude it altogether.

“Alcohol in moderate doses thins the blood. Hence the data that confirms its cardioprotective properties. Nevertheless, we insist that alcohol does not protect the heart in the sense that physical exercise does,” said another BHF employee, Maureen Talbot.

Fighting obesity, diabetes and inactivity. A study by the British Heart Foundation showed that obesity, diabetes and a sedentary lifestyle are the main reasons for the increase in mortality from cardiovascular diseases under the age of 65. Their prevention is the best way to avoid heart disease during this period of life, experts say.

Also, to prevent cardiac problems, doctors advised:

• quit smoking,
• eat a balanced diet, optimally according to the Mediterranean diet,
• have an ECG regardless of age,
• regularly exercise for at least 150 minutes a week.