Cardio care: Before sickness steals your heart, fall in love with healthy lifestyle

Heart diseases continue to be one of the leading causes of death for individuals in the United States, which is why maintaining excellent heart health is the strongest defence against cardiac (or heart) problems, even while certain variables, such as heredity, may make a person more susceptible to heart illness. 

"Lifestyle is huge with your heart health," Holly S Andersen, MD, an attending cardiologist and associate professor of clinical medicine at the New York-Presbyterian Hospital, Weill Cornell Medical Center, told Health. "It's more important than genetics."

According to the American Heart Association  80% of cardiovascular diseases, such as heart attacks and strokes, are preventable.

Following are some important health care to keep in mind for a good strong heart.

High blood pressure is detrimental to a person's heart health, so it is important to approach a doctor in this case. Your doctor might prescribe medicine or suggest certain lifestyle modifications for you. 

If you are given medication, be careful to take it regularly. Additionally, you might want to empower yourself by purchasing an at-home blood pressure cuff so that you can consistently check your blood pressure.

An essential component of a healthy lifestyle is diet. The DASH diet is recommended by the AHA and MedlinePlus as being beneficial for heart health, even though the Mediterranean diet receives more attention due to its emphasis on healthy fats and fresh foods.

An underweight person may be more susceptible to cardiovascular disease, per a 2017 study that was published in Medicine (Baltimore). Underweight was defined in this study as having a body mass index (BMI) less than 18.5 kg/m2.

According to the American Heart Association, stress can be harmful to your heart, but it can also result in overeating and inactivity, which can raise your blood pressure and cholesterol. And heart disease may become more likely as a result.