Prevent Heart Disease with These 12 Tips

To prevent heart disease, a healthy diet with anti-inflammatory fats must be included. Many nutritionists say it is impossible to have good health without the benefit of monounsaturated fat, such as fish oil and avocado. Recent research shows heart risk factors are reduced by these additional tips as well.

Prevent heart disease and possibly reverse heart disease by:

1) Flossing reduces bacteria that cause gum inflammation and periodontal disease. These often stimulate the liver to produce C-reactive proteins. CRP's cause coronary artery inflammation which reduces artery openings and shuts off blood supply. All of this can contribute to artery closure which increases heart attack risk.

2) Holding hands slows heart rate by 5 beats per second which reduces stress. When stress is reduced, heart risk factors drop. Those who are lonely show a 30 point difference in blood pressure compared to those in good relationships.

3) Tests show a 26% decrease in heart disease in those who sip half a glass of red wine per day. If consumption is higher, heart risk factors can increase.

4) Add 10 grams of fiber daily to decrease total cholesterol.

5) Drink 8 oz. of cranberry juice 3 times per day and causes of heart disease drop by 40%.

6) Mediation, twice daily, increases blood vessel dilation by 21%. This increases oxygen and nutrients to the heart and reduces stress.

7) Losing 10 pounds reduces chances of developing type 2 diabetes and related heart complications.

8) Reducing sugar consumption increases healthy cholesterol levels. Emory University just found consuming large amounts of added sugar lower HDL ("good") cholesterol levels and increases higher triglyceride levels than individuals who eat less. American Heart Association recommendations advise women consume fewer than 100 calories added sugar daily and men consume fewer than 150 calories.

9) Pump iron 30 minutes, 3 times weekly, to prevent heart disease by 23%.

10) Chances of being hospitalized for heart disease are reduced by 19% by getting a flu shot.

11) Napping for 20 minutes, 3 times weekly, lessens chances of dying of heart disease.

12) Check good cholesterol (HDL). If it's below 50 mg/dl, this is a red flag for women, so tell your doctor.

Heart Risk Factors

The causes of heart disease may be tied in with these tips. Add one or two weekly and within 2 months, you may have decreased heart attack risk by 50%. There are no statistics that prove if these tips reverse heart disease, but they do show promise to prevent heart disease.

Related articles:

*The One Thing You Must Know about the Anti-inflammatory Diet
*Part II of the Anti-inflammatory Diet

Source:
Dr. Oz
American Heart Association
Better Homes and Gardens, February, 2010

Article for information purposes only. Not intended for replacement of medical care.

Prevent Heart Disease with these 12 Tips copyright 2010