9 Ways to Reduce Your Risk for a Heart Attack

Someone in the US has a heart attack approximately every 40 seconds, which adds up to about 805,000 heart attacks annually. The medical providers at Honeycomb Medical Group don’t want you to be a statistic. With offices in Memphis and throughout the Southeast, we advocate knowing your risks and taking preventive steps.

Here’s how we advise our patients.

Know your risk factors

Many factors can put you at increased risk for a heart attack. These include:

• Age: The risk increases for men over 45 and women over 55. 
• Family history: If a close relative had a heart attack at an early age, your risk might be higher.
• Existing health conditions: People with high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes are at greater risk. 
• Poor lifestyle habits: Smoking and physical inactivity top this list.

While you can’t change your age or family history, there’s a lot within your control.

9 steps to a healthier heart

Here are nine ways to lower your risk:

• Manage your blood pressure: High blood pressure is often called a "silent killer" because it often has no symptoms. It puts extra strain on your heart and arteries.
• Control your cholesterol: High LDL (bad cholesterol) levels can clog your arteries. We can help you manage this through diet or medication.
• Eat a heart-healthy diet: Focus on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. Limit processed foods, trans fats, and added sugars.
• Stay physically active: Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise each week. Even brisk walking makes a difference.
• Maintain a healthy weight: Carrying extra weight, especially around the middle, stresses your heart and increases the risk of diabetes.
• Quit smoking and vaping: Smoking damages the lining of your arteries and reduces the amount of oxygen in your blood.
• Manage stress levels: Long-term stress can increase your heart rate and blood pressure. Finding healthy ways to relax is vital for heart health.
• Get enough sleep: Most adults need seven to nine hours of quality sleep. Poor sleep is linked to high blood pressure and obesity.
• Keep up with regular checkups: Routine visits allow our specialists to catch small issues before they become emergencies.

Preventive medicine is the most effective tool we have against heart disease. 

Why regular screenings matter

During a standard visit to our clinics, we check your vitals and run blood tests to monitor your glucose and lipid levels. These numbers give us a clear picture of what's happening inside your body.

If you've already experienced a cardiac event, the goal shifts to preventing a repeat heart attack. Since about 25% of annual heart attacks are repeat events, following a strict management plan is necessary. We provide the guidance and monitoring you need to stay on track. 

For your personalized heart health plan, contact the Honeycomb Medical Group location nearest you today.