Preventing a heart attack is SIMPLE…follow these 3 golden rules and it could save your life
Stopping smoking, getting enough exercise and eating a healthy diet can prevent 80 per cent of heart attacks, experts say
Heart disease is the leading cause of death across the world - accounting for one in five deaths in Europe.
And the most deadly consequence of cardiovascular disease, is a myocardial infarction - put simply, a heart attack.
But, experts are adamant, there are simple steps everyone can take to reduce their risk.
And it's not rocket science - stop smoking, get moving and eat better!
That's the advice set out in the new European standards to prevent repeat heart attacks.
Professsor Massimo Piepoli, lead author of the new guidelines, said: "Cardiovascular disease is the world's number one killer.
";The biggest consequence of cardiovascular disease is myocardial infarction, or heart attack.
"One in five people who survive a heart attack have a second cardiovascular event in the first year - even when receiving optimal treatment and care.
"The people behind these numbers spurred this call for action to reduce the risk."
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Though the new guidelines are aimed at people who have already survived a heart attack, the principles are relevant to everyone.
The advice outlines the steps patients and doctors can take to help prevent future heart attacks.
"A heart healthy lifestyle is the most effective way to avoid another heart attack," said Professor Joep Perk, of the European Society of Cardiology.
"This should be supported with good medical treatment and follow up."
The steps you can take to prevent a repeated heart attack, or indeed your first are:
- QUIT smoking
- Do REGULAR exercise
- Eat HEALTHY food
And experts advise those people already diagnosed with heart disease should also take their prescribed medication to protect their blood vessels, and control risk factors including high blood pressure and cholesterol.
Professor Perk stressed: "Stopping smoking beats everything for preventing heart attacks.
"Combine that with exercise and a healthy diet and we could avoid 80 per cent of all myocardial infarctions."
A recent survey found that after suffering a heart attack, 16 per cent of patients continue to smoke, 38 per cent are obese and 60 per cent report little or no physical activity.
Only half of patients are advised by their doctor to attend rehab programmes, of which 80 per cent actually attend.
Stopping smoking beats everything for preventing heart attacks. Combine that with exercise and a healthy diet and we could avoid 80 per cent of all myocardial infarctions
Professor Joep Perk
As such, European guidelines on preventing heart disease outline targets for blood pressure and cholesterol levels, which are missed.
Professor Piepoli said: "Having a heart attack is an upsetting experience but it does not seem to motivate patients to adopt a healthy lifestyle to avoid having another one.
"We also know that more than half of heart attack patients stop taking their preventive medications.";
His colleague, Professor Perk, warns patients not to rely too heavily on the medical interventions, and treatments available, including stents.
He said: ";Patients are almost blinded by the excellent results of stents to clear block arteries.
"There is an over-belief in what medical care can provide and patients feel they don't have to do anything.
"The challenge is to convince patients that the best way to prevent another heart attack is to take responsibility for their own health.
"Many lives could be saved - there is too much to lose by not doing."
The new guidelines are published today in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology.