Foods to add in your Diet to Prevent Heart Attack

Heart attack is a leading cause of death in obese people. “Prevention is better than cure” is also true for heart attacks. People have to pay more attention towards finding out ways for preventing heart attacks rather than getting ready for curing it. Eating a healthy diet, maintaining a healthy weight, routine screening for cholesterol levels and blood pressure, getting plenty of cardiovascular exercises and at least eight hours of sleep each night can help you to prevent a heart attack as well as to stay fit and healthy. A heart attack takes place due to the blockage of blood vessels which supplies blood to the heart. The blood vessel blockage obstructs the supply of oxygen to the heart, which may enduringly damage the heart muscles. Heart attack risk may be increased by several factors such as smoking, atherosclerosis, hypertension and diabetes. Everyone can prevent the risk of heart attack by including some heart-healthy foods in regular diet.

Garlic

Garlic is a very ideal herb for heart health. Several studies have shown that regular consumption of garlic has potential benefits on serum triglyceride level, blood pressure, platelet aggregation and cholesterol levels – all of these keep your heart to perform well. In a food, garlic makes a great seasoning as well as reduces salt. To prevent heart attack, consume 2 cloves of garlic every morning on an empty stomach.

Onion

Onion is very beneficial for people who have increased heart rate. Onion contains sulfur compounds which have anti-clotting capacity and help to prevent the unwanted clumping of blood platelet cells. Also, these compounds can lower blood levels of triglycerides and cholesterol, and improve the function of cell membrane in red blood cells. Onion is most commonly consumed along with other foods in the form of salad.

Tomatoes

Tomatoes are an excellent source of vitamin C, beta-carotene, lycopene, vitamins and potassium, which have been shown to reduce heart attack risk. The amount of lycopene is more in the canned tomato sauce and cooked tomato sauce than raw tomatoes. To get benefits of tomato, include thick slices of tomatoes to salads and sandwiches or enjoy tomato sauce on whole wheat pasta.

Carrots

To reduce the increased heart rate, carrots are very beneficial. Carrots help to reduce your cholesterol levels as they contain lycopene and soluble fiber, which decrease the amount of low-density lipoprotein, (LDL or bad cholesterol) in your blood. Try to include sliced carrots in your favorite soup and grated carrots to your favorite salad. You can also consume carrot juice. Carrot sticks dipped in low-fat dressing create a healthy snack.

Bottle gourd

Bottle gourd (Lauki) has a lot of medicinal value and is very effective for heart patients. Daily consumption of bottle gourd juice twice a day is of great help for heart problems, blood pressure and many other ailments. To reduce a risk of heart attack, consume a juice of bottle gourd, 4 to 5 pudina leaves and 2 Tulsi leaves - also add pepper for taste - twice a day.

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