A heart attack, which doctors may call myocardial infarction, is a serious medical emergency. It occurs when part of the heart muscle stops receiving enough blood.
People can help reduce their risk of experiencing a heart attack by making lifestyle changes that can positively affect heart health and managing any existing health conditions.
Risk factors
Risk factors are traits or habits that can put a person at a higher risk of a heart attack. A person may be able to change some of these risk factors.
The following risk factors also have associations with heart attack and heart disease:
diabetes
overweight or obesity
diets high in certain fats, cholesterol, and salt
lack of exercise
Psychosocial factors such as depression, financial stress, family conflicts, and stressful life events may also contribute to a heart attack.
Heart attack risk factors that people cannot modify include:
Older age: The risk increases in males after age 45 and in females after age 55 or menopause.
Sex: Males are more likely to experience heart attacks and may have them at a younger age, but females have a greater risk of dying from a heart attack.
Genetics: A person whose parent, child, or sibling has a history of early cardiovascular disease has a higher risk of heart attack.
Eat a healthy diet
A healthy diet may help a person manage risk factors for heart attack, such as high blood pressure and obesity. A balanced and nutritious diet may include:
fruits and vegetables
plant-based proteins such as legumes and nuts
whole grains
lean and unprocessed animal protein
low fat or nonfat dairy products
A person may use nutrition labels to help them limit foods high in salt, added sugars, trans fats, and saturated fats. People may also limit processed foods and refined carbohydrates.
Stay physically active
The guidelines recommend that adults perform at least 150 – 300 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity or 75 – 150 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity per week, as well as muscle-strengthening exercises at least twice a week.
Manage existing health conditions
Many people are living with conditions that put them at higher risk of a heart attack, and they should speak with their doctor about treating and managing any existing health conditions. People should also take any medications according to a doctor's instructions and speak with their doctor about any side effects. A doctor may be able to recommend a different treatment if a person's current treatment is not effective.
Maintain a moderate weight
Overweight or obesity can increase a person's risk of developing CVD — particularly coronary heart disease and heart failure, which may increase a person's risk of heart attack.
High body weight may cause changes in heart structure and blood flow and lead to atherosclerosis.
Manage stress
A study found that stress may affect a part of the brain called the amygdala. Increased amygdala activity could lead to inflammation of the arteries. This, in turn, may lead to heart attack, stroke, or other forms of CVD.
Summary
There are many ways to reduce the risk of a heart attack, such as exercising regularly, managing existing medical conditions, and maintaining a moderate weight. A person should speak with their doctor about possible risk factors and ways to manage them.