Episode #19 Top Five : Top Five Ways To Prevent Stroke and Heart Attack

This week I was shocked to find out just how much women are at risk for stroke and heart disease. Quick and easy - My top five this week are tips to prevent stroke and heart disease.

#5 - Take responsibility for your own health and seek to educate yourself - the best way to prevent something from happening is to understand why it could happen and what your best options are for preventing it from happening.

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#4 - Don't smoke or expose yourself to second hand smoke - There is overwhelming evidence that cigarette smoking and second-hand smoke increases the risks of heart disease, lung disease, peripheral vascular disease and stroke.

#3 - Limit your calories - Fad diets don't work. I think we can all easily agree on that one. However, portion size in America has increased dramatically and with it, so has the calorie count of our meals. The obesity rate in America is a cause for concern and is the leading cause of diabetes which is a cardiovascular disease and can contribute to the risk of stroke and heart attack. Use portion control, limit soda - (1 soda or sugary beverage a day increases women's risk of stroke and heart attack by 83%), drink more water, and stop eating when you are full.

#2 -  Seek ways to reduce your stress - Stress is one of the leading contributors to heart disease and stroke. You can reduce stress by seeking to balance your work/home life, seek to have good relationships, get a good nights sleep, find things that make you laugh, and understand why certain situations make you anxious.

#1 - Make exercise a daily habit - The best thing you can do for yourself is to get a good exercise regimen going. Studies show that walking 2 miles a day is good for optimal health. Exercise is for more than burning calories - it activates genes that are beneficial to health in other ways. Plus, exercise is also great for treating anxiety and depression (which can be major stress causers).