99% of Heart Attacks Linked Four Hidden Risk Factors: Here’s How To Prevent And Protect Your Heart

Know the four hidden risk factors behind most heart attacks and practical ways to prevent them for a healthier heart.

More than 99 per cent of those who suffer from a heart attack, stroke, or heart failure had at least one of four modifiable risk factors at unhealthy levels before the incident, according to recent research. What this indicates is that in almost all cases, there were silent warning signs developing slowly that could have been known early before they got dangerous.

Heart Attack Risk Factors

These are the four risk factors which the research identified, and what the term 'non-optimal' implies in this context.

1. High blood pressure (hypertension)

Most of them are not aware of the fact that their blood pressure is higher as it is often not accompanied by very noticeable symptoms.But hypertension pressurises the heart and destroys blood vessels.

2. High cholesterol

This means that there are high levels of cholesterol that go out of healthy ranges (or managed due to high levels).Bad cholesterol may cause accumulation of plaques within the arteries, which limit the circulation of blood.

3. Elevated fasting glucose

The elevated level of blood sugar hurts blood vessels and disrupts the normal functioning of the heart.Pre-diabetic glucose levels count even before that.

4. Tobacco use

This is among current smokers or previous users. Smoking leads to the destruction of blood vessels and encourages the formation of plaque, the danger of clotting, and the worsening of other contributing factors.

Heart Attacks Are "Silent Killers"

These risk factors are usually insidious. As a case in point, you may be having slightly high blood pressure or cholesterol that you do not feel unwell about. Damage is already caused before the heart pain, chest discomfort or any other symptoms can appear. The fact that the number of those with these warning signs before serious cardiovascular diseases is so high demonstrates the importance of the need to identifying them and taking action early.

Tips To Prevent Heart Attacks

To a large extent, these four factors can be controlled. Here are some of the practical actions you should follow:

1. Regularly check blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol.When it is detected, the intervention is at a tender age.
2. Eat more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins; less saturated and trans fats, processed foods, and too much salt and sugar.
3. Exercise regularly, such as brisk walking, bicycling, jogging, or swimming, most days of the week, will do.
4. In case you smoke tobacco, one of the quickest methods of decreasing the risk is to quit. Also, avoid secondhand smoke.
5. Maintaining a good weight is beneficial for blood sugar, cholesterol and blood pressure.
6. Limiting alcohol, stress, and getting enough sleep are not necessarily the four most important factors to have been realised in this particular study, but they affect the four and the overall health of the heart.

Consult a doctor or a health expert if you see any of the four factors occurring in your body to prevent a heart attack.