Coronary heart disease
Alternate Names : Coronary artery disease, Arteriosclerotic heart disease, CHD, CAD
Prevention
See your health care provider regularly. Tips for preventing CHD or lowering your risk of the disease: - Avoid or reduce stress as best as you can.
- Don't smoke.
- Eat well-balanced meals that are low in fat and cholesterol and include several daily servings of fruits and vegetables.
- Get regular exercise. If your weight is considered normal, get at least 30 minutes of exercise every day. If you are overweight or obese, experts say you should get 60 - 90 minutes of exercise every day.
- Keep your blood pressure below 130/80 mmHg if you have diabetes or chronic kidney disease, and below 140/90 otherwise
- Keep your cholesterol and blood sugar under control.
Moderate amounts of alcohol (one glass a day for women, two for men) may reduce your risk of cardiovascular problems. However, drinking larger amounts does more harm than good. If you have one or more risk factors for coronary heart disease, talk to your doctor about possibly taking an aspirin a day to help prevent a heart attack or stroke. You may be prescribed low-dose aspirin therapy if the benefit is likely to outweigh the risk of gastrointestinal side effects. New guidelines no longer recommend hormone replacement therapy, vitamins E or C, antioxidants, or folic acid to prevent heart disease. The use of hormone replacement therapy in women who are close to menopause or who have finished menopause is controversial at this time.
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