Experts urge healthy lifestyle to prevent heart attacks

Cardiovascular diseases claim approximately 17 million lives worldwide each year, with more than half of these deaths attributable to acute myocardial infarction.

According to the National Health Commission of China, the country experiences over one million new cases of myocardial infarction annually. Since 2014, November 20 has been designated as China's Myocardial Infarction Treatment Day, aiming to raise public awareness of the dangers and severity of acute myocardial infarction and to improve the capability of treating it. 

As the weather turns colder, the risk of acute cardiovascular diseases increases. To better protect heart health, experts recommend making lifestyle changes and adopting healthier habits. 

Wang Liansheng, chief physician of the Cardiovascular Department at Jiangsu Provincial People's Hospital, noted that due to modern lifestyles, coronary heart disease is increasingly affecting younger individuals. Unhealthy diets, irregular sleep schedules, and sedentary lifestyles are major risk factors for coronary heart disease and its severe complications.

"Long-time sitting can lead to reduced energy expenditure, affecting insulin sensitivity and thereby increasing the risk of diabetes and high cholesterol, both of which are linked to heart disease," said Wang.

Additionally, spending too much time on smartphones before sleep can disrupt sleep patterns and affect the body's natural rhythm. Exposure to blue light from screens can further disrupt sleep and potentially impact heart health as well.

Wang emphasized the crucial role of healthy lifestyle habits in the primary prevention of cardiovascular diseases. He recommended adopting a Mediterranean-style diet, which involves consuming plenty of fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy products, poultry, fish, legumes, nuts, and whole grains while limiting sodium, sugar, sugary drinks, and red meat. Olive oil and other non-tropical vegetable oils should be the primary cooking oils.

Regular exercise is crucial for heart health. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity per week, such as brisk walking or swimming. 

Additionally, incorporating strength-training exercises can further enhance cardiovascular health. Even for those with sedentary jobs, it's important to take short breaks every hour to get up and move around, Wang added. 

According to Wang Liansheng, maintaining an active lifestyle can help control weight, lower blood pressure, and improve cholesterol levels. By making these simple changes, individuals can significantly reduce their risk of heart disease and other related health problems. 

(Cover: via CFP.)