What helps prevent cardiovascular disease?

Preventing cardiovascular disease requires making healthy lifestyle choices, catching problems early, and managing risk factors like diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and quitting smoking. These steps are important to lower the chances of developing heart disease and slowing its effects in people already with heart disease.

Eat healthy 

The American Heart Association suggests eating a heart-healthy diet rich in vegetables, fruits, nuts, whole grains, and fish, while limiting unhealthy fats, red and processed meats, processed food, and sugary drinks

Exercise regularly

Regular exercise is also essential; adults should aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise each week.

Maintain a healthy body weight 

Managing weight through healthy eating, exercise, medication, and  and counseling is recommended for those who are overweight and obese.

Identify health problems early

Adults between 40 and 75 should talk to their doctors about their risk of heart disease, and to screen for diseases like high blood pressure, diabetes and cholesterol. These diseases often don’t have symptoms early on, and there are many well-tolerated treatments that improve long term heart health.