NCD Watch

Reducing Heart Attack Risk

26 Sep 2011 (Mon)

A heart attack (or acute myocardial infarction) occurs when the flow of oxygen-carrying blood to a section of heart muscle suddenly becomes blocked. This is a life-threatening condition because if blood flow is not restored promptly, heart muscle cells begin to die due to a lack of oxygen.

Heart attack is a major killer in most parts of the world, including Hong Kong. Local mortality statistics from the past 10 years show that there were on average 1 872 registered deaths per year attributed to heart attack. In 2010, there were 2 006 registered heart attack deaths. In fact, heart attack can be prevented by leading a healthy lifestyle and managing certain risk factors.

For optimal cardiovascular health, follow the 'Simple 8' measures below:

1. do not smoke,
2. eat a heart-healthy diet (i.e. high in fruit and vegetables, with appropriate amounts of whole-grains and fish, and low in salt, sugar, fats and cholesterol),
3. get active and avoid prolonged sitting,
4. maintain an optimal body weight and waistline,
5. monitor blood pressure,
6. monitor blood cholesterol,
7. monitor blood sugar, and
8. manage stress.