Lifestyle and Heart Disease
Dr. Sonny Wong has led a successful career as physician for 25 years. Being from New Zealand, Dr. Wong attended University of Otago Medical School, graduating in 1978. He went on to complete further training in the United States at the University of Hawaii, and the University of Nevada. Bering certified in Cardiology... more
A healthy life style does a lot in preventing heart attacks and strokes.
Cigarette smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes mellitus, along with obesity and physical inactivity are all risk factors that everyone can control.
Ideally one should maintain a reasonable body weight, and in terms of good health, a BMI of less than 29 is helpful.
High cholesterol can be controlled with a healthy diet that emphasizes a lot of whole foods, fruits and vegetables with whole grains. Red meat, chicken and fish, which are all high in saturated fat, should be kept to a minimum. Perhaps a meal a week would be best. Sugar, in its many forms, should be avoided, including sodas, candy, cakes and cookies. And also, fried food is off limits and oils should be kept to a minimum.
Blood pressure should be well controlled with diet, exercise and medications as needed to maintain a blood pressure of or lower than 130/80.
Diabetes can be controlled with diet and medications as well.
Cigarette smoking needs to be stopped.
Exercise should be something that is enjoyable and should occur in most days of the week. You should walk for at least a half an hour a day. Running, jogging, swimming all can be enjoyed. Any movement is better than no movement at all. Working in the garden and yard work all count. Taking the stairs instead of the elevator counts as well, along with parking a block away from work and walking.
I hope these tips will help get people motivated to change. Prevention is the best medicine!
