It is estimated that around 17.5 million people around the world die of heart attacks or heart related diseases. The good news is that around 80% of premature heart attacks and strokes are preventable. Regular physical activity, healthy diet and also avoiding tobacco products are the key to prevent heart attacks and other heart diseases. Checking and controlling risk factors for heart disease such as stroke, high blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes are also important steps which you need to follow. Let’s find out the steps to take care of your heart and on how to avoid a heart attack.

• Eat a healthy diet: A balanced diet every day is a crucial aspect for keeping your heart healthy. Include plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fish and pulses in your diet. Reduce the consumption of sugar, salt and fat. Avoid alcohol and other intoxicants completely

• Engage in regular physical activity: Exercising for at least 30 minutes a day helps in maintaining cardio vascular fitness. Exercises can include light to moderate workouts like cycling, swimming, jogging and so on. Practicing Yoga can also help in improving your health as it consists of different positions as well as breathing exercises

• Avoid using tobacco: Tobacco, in all the forms is bad for your health, may it be pipes, cigars or chewing of tobacco. Exposure to tobacco smoke (second hand) is also dangerous. The risk of heart attack and stroke increases as a person uses tobacco products. There are also high chances for oral cancer or mouth cancer

• Check for cardiovascular risk factors if any: Find out if you have any risk factors which may lead to cardio vascular diseases. If yes, try to reduce the risk by keeping it under control or by eliminating the same. Some of the risk factors which may lead to heart attacks can be diabetes, cholesterol and blood pressure

• Get enough quality sleep: Insomnia or sleep deprivation can harm your health. People who do not get a normal sleep have higher risk of obesity, blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes and depression. Most adults need 7 to 9 hours of sleep per night. Make sleep a priority in your life. Adjust your other day to day activities and schedule time for proper sleep

Dr Alla Gopala Krishna Gokhale is the director of heart and lung transplant program, senior consultant cardiothoracic and minimal access surgeon. Dr Gokhale is well experienced in handling lung or vascular problems, especially for those with advanced diseases and lung disorders. Dr. Gokhale has had the distinction of performing India’s first heart-kidney combined transplant and performing heart transplant for a 69 year old person, who is the oldest man to undergo heart transplant in India.

Dr Gokhale can guide and help the patients recover from heart and lung ailments. He can also provide tips on how to protect your heart from heart attacks. Reach Dr Gokhale at these numbers: 91-40-2360 7777 / 5555 / 2000