So HOW can you protect yourself against getting a form of cardiovascular disease earlier in life or getting any disease at all? Some items were discussed about this in the previous section on "modifiable" risk factors, but in general here are some guidelines...
Diet
The Mayo clinic (an excellent hospital) has been providing us with lots of information this semester. The next article goes along with that same trend. To see several dietary changes that a person can do to help protect against cardiovascular diseases, read this article: Click Here for dietary protection agains CVD.
More specific than these suggestions, many clinicians recommend that individuals follow the D.A.S.H. diet: Click Here for DASH diet information. Much of the DASH diet is sound healthy advice that was found in the previous article in this section, but the diet also talks about recommendations for salt in the diet because of the link between salt (NaCl) and a person's blood pressure.
Another dietary change can come in the form of what you use on your table at home as a spread or cooking base: Click here for information on Butter vs Margarine
One more study following 1.4 million people over 30 years, Red and Processed meats https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10408398.2021.1949575?src=
"For each 1.75 ounces (50 grams) of beef, lamb and pork eaten, the risk of coronary heart disease rose 9%. A recommended serving of meat is about 3 ounces (85 grams), the size of bar of soap or deck of cards
For each 1.75 ounces (50 grams) of processed meats such as bacon, ham or sausage that were eaten, the risk rose by 18%."
https://www.cnn.com/2021/07/21/health/red-and-processed-meat-heart-disease-wellness/index.html
There was no association with poultry intake
Exercise
We have talked numerous times about the benefits of exercising (especially aerobic exercise) in relation to heart disease... Lowers LDL cholesterol, Lowers blood pressure, increases HDL cholesterol, reduces stress, reduces changes of getting diabetes, reduces body fat levels... basically, most of the modifiable risk factors can be modified by exercise.
Tobacco
With smoking being the top risk factor and the leading "actual" cause of death of individuals in the U.S. (most of these individuals dying from heart disease), Stopping smoking early in life is key to living a healthier life when one turns older.
Stress
We have also discussed numerous causes of health concerns from stress including higher blood pressures (which is both a cardiovascular disease and a risk factor for other heart diseases). Finding ways to reduce your stress levels or empowering yourself when you face stress (being more positive) can go a long way to reduce your risk of a heart attack or a stroke.