Download LOOK AFTER YOUR HEART Preventing cardiovascular disease

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LOOK AFTER YOUR HEART
Preventing cardiovascular disease
Cardiovascular disease is the generic term for diseases
that occur in the heart and/or blood vessels in the
body. The two most common and best-known forms
are heart attack and stroke. Cardiovascular disease is
the number-one cause of death in Norway and the
western world. Some of us have experienced heart
disease in the family, and in such cases it is wise to
take extra precautions. You can do a lot to take extra
care of your heart, thus reducing the risk of developing
cardiovascular disease.
Three points are particularly
important:
1
Activity
•Physical activity is good for the heart. The heart is
a muscle that needs to pump faster from time to
time
•The fact that your heart is beating faster and you
are out of breath is not dangerous – on the
contrary, it is good for you!
•Walk quickly for half an hour every day, and try to
be active as much as possible
•Use the stairs; walk to the shop
2
Diet
•Food affects our cardiovascular health
•You should eat plenty of fruit and vegetables,
more fish, cereals and wholegrain foods, and less
red meat
•Use vegetable oils and liquid or soft margarine in
food rather than solid fats (such as butter and
hard margarine)
•Eat fewer biscuits, cakes and sweets, and drink less
soft drinks and juices, all of which contain sugar
3
Smoking
•Smoking leads to a higher risk of cardiovascular
disease
•Smokers should quit smoking altogether
•You will quickly achieve better health after you
stub out your last cigarette
Other diseases that affect heart
health:
High blood pressure increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. You can take medication to get your blood
pressure down. You can also reduce your blood pressure by eating less salt, by giving up smoking and by
losing weight if you are overweight. Exercising on at
least three days a week can lower your blood pressure.
Diabetes also increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. To prevent diabetes, or if you have diabetes, it is
advisable to eat healthy foods, be physically active and
avoid obesity. If you suffer from diabetes, it is important
to follow your doctor’s advice and treatment.
High cholesterol is a major risk factor that is also
influenced by lifestyle. Fats from fatty meats and dairy
products increase cholesterol levels, while vegetable
oil, fibre and whole grains lower them. For people with
high cholesterol, weight reduction and exercise are also
beneficial.
! After reaching the age of 40, it is advisable to
have your GP check your blood pressure and cholesterol and blood glucose levels every few years.
LHL – The Norwegian Heart and Lung Patient Organization
Tel.: +47 22 79 90 00 | Pb 8768 Youngstorget, NO-0028 Oslo | [email protected] | www.lhl.no
Source: LHL. | Quality-assured by Dr Wasim Zahid | Version 1.
To join LHL, text “medlem” to 2007 (Norway only).