Technology has rapidly progressed in our time and has helped in all sorts of applications. From as simple as an automatic hand dryer for hygiene to a pacemaker for heart patients, technology has truly progressed. Pacemakers can be essential for cardiac patients, but one can take further precautionary measures to prevent cardiovascular disease.

More commonly referred to as CVD, it is known to be one of the leading causes of death that affects heart patients. Statistically, CVD occurs mostly in lower and middle-class families. It is recorded that an estimate of 17.9 people deaths occurred from CVD in the year 2019, which makes up 32% of all deaths occurring globally.

Cardiac patients must follow a precautionary routine and lifestyle to minimize the risk of dangerous or fatal attacks on their hearts. Following preventive measures will prevent cardiac patients from burdening health care systems, reducing hospitalization costs and significant long-term risks. We have assembled a list of precautionary steps that you must follow as a cardiac patient to prevent cardiac arrests.

1. Adopting a Healthy Diet

A cardiac patient must monitor their diet to determine if anything is not heart-friendly. Switching to a heart-friendly diet has many benefits as it is usually a safer and healthier option for anyone, even if they are not a cardiac patient.

The dietary plan for a cardiac patient should ideally include the following items. Vegetables and fruits are essential food items that people of all ages must integrate into their diets. Another on the list is fat-free dairy foods since it is hard to resist dairy. It is advised to switch to fat-free if one must intake dairy food into their diets. Whole grains are another healthy dietary option for cardiac patients and healthy fats like olive oils.

Just as there are diet options best recommended for CVD patients, there exists food that must be avoided or limited as much as possible. Intake of salt and sugar must be at a minimum. Saturated fat, which is mostly in red meat, and trans fat, which can be found in fried or baked goods, should be dismissed from your meals.

2. Limiting Addictions

Alcohol puts you at risk of having high blood pressure. High blood pressure puts your heart at risk, so a cardiac patient must avoid an excess of alcohol at all costs. Alcohol is also known to add to weight too, which puts cardiac patients in further danger.

Quitting smoking can be very helpful for the heart and can relieve it. Smoking cigarettes also raises blood pressure, further increasing the risk of heart attacks and strokes. It is recommended to minimize or even quit smoking to minimize such risks. A non-smoker cardiac patient should keep a distance from those who smoke to keep their hearts safe as long-term second-hand smoking can be risky.

3. Getting the Right Amount of Sleep

An average adult requires 7 to 9 hours of sleep to function fully. A cardiac patient mustn’t fail to obtain less than the average amount at any cost. Asleep deficiency may increase the risk of high blood pressure, which all cardiac patients should steer away from. Setting and sticking to a sleep schedule at night has proven to be very useful and can help in letting your body get sufficient sleep.

4. Engaging in Physical Activity

Physical activities lower the chances of developing conditions that are a risk to your heart. These conditions include cholesterol and diabetes, which can stress your heart and is very dangerous for CVD patients.

30 to 60 minutes of physical activities is recommended, and if that is not achievable, 10 minutes is a must. Engaging in some physical activity should be carried out no matter what. Be it gardening or walking, as long as physical movement is involved. However, excessive physical activity should be avoided, as it can harm the heart.

5. Minimising stress

Excessive stress is a common trigger for many heart attacks. Stress is another factor that causes a rise in blood pressure. People tend to resort to unhealthy coping mechanisms like alcohol or smoking due to stress. Managing stress through music, meditating, and exercise is vital for a cardiac patient, and it also helps relieve the mind and soul. It can be a great idea to consult a psychologist or therapist if stress gets too much to handle.

Cardiac patients must take certain precautionary measures while using devices like a pacemaker. They take extra care in managing their daily life routines. Diet is one thing that is an integral part of a lifestyle, and they must take certain foods while avoiding others.

Addictions like smoking and alcohol intake can raise blood pressure, so cardiac patients should quit them as soon as possible. Getting the right amount of sleep also helps reduce high blood pressure. Additionally, physical activity can help prevent certain conditions that can worsen heart conditions. Excessive stress can trigger heart attacks which is why cardiac patients should find ways to treat it.

We hope this article proves insightful and helps you take the proper steps to ensure that your heart remains healthy.