Heart Attack and Atherosclerosis Prevention (cont.)

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How can coronary atherosclerosis and heart attacks be prevented?

One can help to prevent atherosclerosis and reduce heart attack risks by:

  • Controlling high blood pressure and diabetes mellitus;

  • Never smoking or stopping cigarette smoking;

  • Exercising regularly;

  • Losing excess weight;

  • Lowering blood levels of LDL cholesterol;

  • Increasing blood levels of HDL cholesterol;

  • Lowering blood levels of lipoprotein A cholesterol and triglycerides;

  • Increasing LDL cholesterol particle sizes;

  • Taking anti-platelet medications (such as low dose aspirin) to prevent blood clots;

  • Consuming antioxidants to prevent blood vessel damage (however, not scientifically proven to date);

  • Consuming folic acid and other B vitamins to decrease blood levels of homocysteine(however, not scientifically proven to date); and

Many of the measures that prevent coronary atherosclerosis also benefit other arteries such as carotid arteries and cerebral arteries (arteries that supply blood to the brain). Therefore, these measures also prevent strokes.


Last Editorial Review: 4/1/2009


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