Lifestyle Choices That Increase the Risk of Cardiac Arrest

Cardiovascular health is a huge make-or-break of your life. You may not be aware but there are many lifestyle choices that increase the risk of cardiac arrest. Now, cardiac arrest is a serious health anomaly and is influenced by a number of hereditary traits such as gender, ascribed dominant traits and increasing age. However, we aim to target those lifestyle choices that may increase the risk of cardiac arrest while you have complete control over them. Because we’re all fit and fine in our youth but the progression of age and the onset of serious responsibilities bring about a plethora of problems that require your constant care. Instead of jeopardizing your health and waiting for the heart attack symptoms to arrive, take note of these 5 lifestyle choices that can prevent a heart attack from happening. Let’s go.

Eating Unhealthy Food

While eating healthy foods does not guarantee the reduced risk of cardiac arrest, it does regulate the majority of the controllable risk factors of a heart attack – such as blood pressure, cholesterol, obesity and diabetes. You must inculcate a nutritious heart healthy diet. Heart healthy foods are those that are nutrient-rich and packed with vitamins, minerals and fiber. A heart healthy diet also contains poultry and dairy products. Green vegetables, fish and nuts are some of the healthiest food choices for people at risk of cardiac arrest. Fried and processed food items that have a higher calorific value must be taken sparingly. Food high in sugar also increases the risk of cardiac arrest.

Neglecting Physical Activity

Physical inactivity and a sedentary lifestyle are the most common causes of poor cardiovascular health. The human body is meant to move and isn’t restricted to the confines of your office desk! Neglecting physical activity due to work commitments and time restraints can make you severely regret in the later years of your life. Light to moderate physical exercise is a great remedy for preventing obesity, reducing blood pressure and regulating your heart health. Half an hour of brisk walking and another half an hour of exercise is the best answer to how to prevent a heart attack from happening.

Smoking – Tobacco Intake

Studies have shown that smokers are at a significantly higher risk of cardiac arrest as compared to non-smokers. Thus, smoking – both active and passive, is a major risk factor in the sudden death of people suffering from poor cardiovascular health. Tobacco intake is extremely injurious to your health and can aggravate health conditions that are directly linked with increase in the risk of cardiac arrest.

Stress and Bad Work-Life Balance

No amount of stress has ever done anyone any good! Increased stress has been directly linked to being a trigger for coronary heart diseases. A person’s work-life balance, resting time and overall socio-economic behavior has a huge impact on his/her health conditions. A bad work-life balance induces stress and anxiety that increase the risk of cardiac arrest. Remember that stressing out on insignificant matters is a choice! And it is not a good one.

Excessive Drinking

Excessive alcohol intake is known to raise blood pressure and increase the chances of a stroke. In fact, frequent drinking is also linked to the increased risk of cancer. It is specifically regarded as a lifestyle choice that increases the risk of cardiac arrest because it worsens related health parameters like obesity, poor mental health and reduced stamina. People at hereditary risk of cardiac arrest are advised to change their drinking habits and limit themselves to not more than one drink per day.  

Manisha Ray

A connoisseur of all things wonderful in life, Manisha is a literature major at Delhi University. She is a keen observer and a quiet thinker.

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