✅ Risk Factors You Can Control
High blood pressure
Eat less salt, exercise, take meds as prescribed
High cholesterol
Eat more fiber, avoid trans fats, consider statins
Diabetes
Manage blood sugar through diet and medication
Smoking
Quit — it’s the #1 preventable risk
Sedentary lifestyle
Walk 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week
Stress & poor sleep
Practice mindfulness, seek therapy, prioritize rest
🚨 When to See a Doctor
Seek medical attention if you have:
New, unexplained symptoms that last more than a few days
A combination of fatigue, swelling, and breathlessness
Chest pressure or pain that comes with activity
A family history of early heart disease
🩺 A simple EKG, blood test, or echocardiogram can detect early problems.
💡 Prevention Is the Best Medicine
Eat a heart-healthy diet
Mediterranean-style: veggies, whole grains, fish, olive oil
Move daily
Even walking helps
Know your numbers
Blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar
Get annual checkups
Especially if over 40 or high-risk
Listen to your body
Don’t dismiss “weird” symptoms
Final Thoughts
Your heart doesn’t always scream for help.
Sometimes, it whispers.
And those quiet signals — fatigue, swelling, breathlessness — are worth paying attention to.
You don’t need to panic.
But you do need to take your symptoms seriously.
Because heart disease isn’t just about dramatic heart attacks.
It’s about small changes, early action, and long-term care.
And sometimes, the best way to save a life is to listen — before the storm hits.
