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How to Prevent Ischaemic Heart Disease

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Medically Reviewed by Dr. Aman Priya Khanna
Written by Sparshi Srivastava, last updated on 15 December 2023| min read
How to Prevent Ischaemic Heart Disease

Quick Summary

How to Prevent Ischaemic Heart Disease

Ischaemic heart disease (IHD) is a condition that occurs when the blood flow to the heart is blocked. This can lead to chest pain, shortness of breath, and other symptoms. IHD is the leading cause of death in the world, and it is important to know how to prevent it.

There are a number of things you can do to reduce your risk of developing IHD, including:

  • Eating a healthy diet
  • Getting regular exercise
  • Maintaining a healthy weight
  • Quitting smoking
  • Managing your blood pressure and cholesterol

If you have any risk factors for IHD, it is important to talk to your doctor about ways to reduce your risk.

According to a study by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME), in 2019, ischaemic heart disease alone took roughly 1.5 million lives in India. But how to prevent ischaemic heart disease? This is one of the most common questions asked. 

Preventing ischaemic heart disease (IHD) requires a multifaceted approach that comprises a healthy lifestyle and eliminating risk factors.  In this blog, we will explore ischaemic heart disease prevention strategies to reduce your chances of experiencing this issue.

Understanding Ischaemic Heart Disease

Ischaemic Heart Disease (IHD), commonly known as coronary artery disease, is a disorder in which the blood flow reduces due to weakened heart muscles. This is related to coronary artery blockage or obstruction. A decrease in blood flow can cause chest pain (angina) or, in severe cases, a heart attack. 

The deposition of plaque (atherosclerosis) in the arteries is the primary cause of IHD. High blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, and obesity are the primary risk factors. Understanding IHD is the first step to knowing how to prevent ischaemic heart disease and managing it.

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How to Prevent Ischaemic Heart Disease?

Preventing Ischaemic Heart Disease (IHD) is necessary to reduce risk factors associated with the condition. Key strategies for ischaemic heart disease prevention are as follows:

Dietary Guidelines:

  1. Adopt a diet high in fruits (apples, oranges, blueberries) and vegetables (tomatoes, cabbage, okra), whole grains, and lean proteins. 

  2. Reduce your consumption of saturated fats. They are found in red meat, full-fat dairy products, and processed foods. Replace them with healthy fat sources like avocados, almonds, and olive oil.

  3. Minimise your salt intake to keep your blood pressure under control. Avoid highly processed and quick foods like packaged snacks and sugary drinks, frequently heavy in salt.

Regular Physical Activity:

  1. Engage in moderate or vigorous aerobic activities. Exercises such as brisk walking, jogging, swimming, and cycling are also advantageous.

  2. Strength training exercises should be included to increase muscle and improve overall heart health.

Keep a Healthy Weight:

  1. To lower the risk of heart disease, maintain a healthy weight. A nutritious diet and frequent physical activity can help significantly.

Avoid Smoking:

  1. Smoking is a key cause of heart disease because it destroys blood vessels and increases the likelihood of blood clots. Thus, it is highly recommended to quit tobacco smoking.

Limit Alcohol Consumption:

  1. To minimize the risks associated with alcohol, adults who are of legal drinking age have two options. 

  2. They can either abstain from alcohol entirely or, on days when they do drink, limit their intake to no more than two drinks (60 ml) per day for men and one drink (30 ml) per day for women.

Stress Management:

  1. Engage in stress management strategies such as meditation, deep breathing, yoga, or mindfulness.

  2. Regular exercise and effective communication with friends and family can help reduce stress.

Regular Health Examinations:

  1. Scheduled check-ups with your healthcare professional are recommended to assess your heart health. They can keep track of risk variables like blood pressure and cholesterol levels and offer suitable preventive or therapeutic measures.

Medication Adherence:

  1. Take medicines as your doctor suggests for illnesses like high blood pressure or cholesterol. These medications can aid in the management of risk factors for heart disease.

Ischaemic Heart Disease Prevention Levels

Preventing ischaemic heart disease (IHD) typically involves a comprehensive approach, categorised into three levels:

  1. Primary Preventive Care:

  1. This ischaemic heart disease prevention level is aimed at the general population. People with risk factors for IHD but no existing heart disease are also targeted.
  2. The strategies include adopting a heart-healthy diet, engaging in regular physical activity and quitting smoking. It is done to treat or manage risk factors such as hypertension and diabetes.
  1. Secondary Preventive Care:

  1. Individuals who have experienced a heart-related condition like a heart attack (myocardial infarction) or angina (chest discomfort) are targeted for secondary prevention.
  2. These include more intense interventions to lower the risk of future heart events. This includes medication management, cardiac rehabilitation programmes, and lifestyle changes. 
  1. Tertiary Preventive Care:

  1. This may include heart failure or life-threatening arrhythmias. The goal is to prevent further disease development and to limit the risk of complications or repeat episodes.
  2. It includes advanced medical and surgical procedures. Examples are coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and cardiac rehabilitation programmes.

Takeaway

In conclusion, Ischaemic heart disease prevention is accomplished through a well-balanced diet, frequent exercise, weight management, and more. By addressing these variables, you can lower your risk of IHD and live a healthier, longer life.

Remember that little, long-term changes can lead to significant gains in heart health over time. For more information on how to prevent ischaemic heart disease, you can contact HexaHealth.  The consultants at HexaHealth can guide you in the prevention and management of IHD or any other medical issue. Get in touch!

Suggested Reads

Heart Attack Heart Failure
Heart Valve Replacement SurgeryDifference between Heart Attack and Cardiac Arrest

Frequently Asked Questions

Ischaemic Heart Disease (IHD) is largely preventable through a combination of healthy lifestyle choices and risk factor management. However, complete prevention may not always be possible due to genetic factors or pre-existing conditions.

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The effective ways to prevent ischaemic heart disease are:

  1. Healthy diet

  2. Regular exercise

  3. Quit smoking

  4. Limit alcohol intake

  5. Manage stress

  6. Maintain a healthy weight

  7. Regular medical check-ups

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Here are the ways to lower their risk of developing ischaemic heart disease:

  1. Maintain a healthy weight

  2. Adopt a balanced diet

  3. Engage in regular physical activity

  4. Don't smoke

  5. Limit alcohol consumption

  6. Manage stress

  7. Control blood pressure

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Steps to minimise the chances of ischaemic heart disease are:

  1. Maintain a balanced diet

  2. Engage in regular physical activity

  3. Control blood pressure

  4. Manage cholesterol levels

  5. Maintain a healthy weight

  6. Quit smoking

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The three levels of prevention for heart disease are:

  1. Primary Prevention: Aimed at reducing risk factors to prevent the development of heart disease.

  2. Secondary Prevention: Focused on early detection and management of heart disease in at-risk individuals.

  3. Tertiary Prevention: Aimed at improving the quality of life and reducing complications in individuals with heart diseases.

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Primary prevention of ischaemia involves reducing the risk of developing ischaemic heart disease. This is done through lifestyle changes, such as adopting a heart-healthy diet, regular exercise, and not smoking.

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Secondary prevention of ischaemic heart disease involves strategies to detect and manage IHD in individuals who are at risk. 

People who have already been diagnosed with the condition are also targeted. This includes medical interventions, lifestyle modifications, and cardiac rehabilitation to prevent the progression of IHD.

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Here are specific habits and behaviours to adopt for preventing Ischaemic Heart Disease:

  1. Healthy diet

  2. Regular exercise

  3. Smoking cessation

  4. Limit alcohol intake

  5. Stress management

  6. Cholesterol management

  7. Weight control

  8. Regular check-ups

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Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet and regular exercise, helps prevent ischaemic heart disease. These steps reduce risk factors like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and obesity. They also support overall heart health and ensure better blood flow.

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Diet plays a significant role in preventing ischaemic heart disease. A heart-healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains helps reduce the risk of IHD. They lower cholesterol levels, control blood pressure, and promote cardiovascular health. 

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Medical interventions, such as using medications like antiplatelet drugs, can aid in the prevention of ischaemic heart disease. They control risk factors like high cholesterol and reduce the risk of blood clots. 

However, lifestyle modifications are often the first line of prevention. Medications are typically prescribed when these measures are insufficient.

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The 10 ways to keep your heart healthy are:

  1. Maintain a balanced diet

  2. Engage in regular physical activity

  3. Avoid smoking and limit alcohol

  4. Manage stress effectively

  5. Control blood pressure

  6. Keep cholesterol levels in check

  7. Maintain a healthy weight

  8. Get regular check-ups

  9. Take prescribed medications as directed

  10. Prioritise sleep and rest

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References

All the articles on HexaHealth are supported by verified medically-recognized sources such as; peer-reviewed academic research papers, research institutions, and medical journals. Our medical reviewers also check references of the articles to prioritize accuracy and relevance. Refer to our detailed editorial policy for more information.


  1. Bhattacharjee S, Yaghmaei N, Phuong CTL, Neupane D. Factors influencing the readiness to tackle the burden of ischaemic heart disease in India: a systematic review protocol. BMJ Open [Internet]. 2021 Aug 1;11(8):e047464. link
  2. Criteria I of M (US) C on SSCD. Ischemic Heart Disease [Internet]. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. National Academies Press (US); 2010. link
  3. Mayo Clinic. Top strategies to prevent heart disease [Internet]. Mayo Clinic. 2023. link
  4. NHS . Prevention - Coronary heart disease [Internet]. NHS. 2020. link
  5. Prevention [Internet]. World Heart Federation. link
  6. Prasad K. Current Status of Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary Prevention of Coronary Artery Disease. International Journal of Angiology. 2021 Aug 25;30(3).link

Last Updated on: 15 December 2023

Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational and learning purposes only. It doesn't cover every medical condition and might not be relevant to your personal situation. This information isn't medical advice, isn't meant for diagnosing any condition, and shouldn't replace talking to a certified medical or healthcare professional.

Reviewer

Dr. Aman Priya Khanna

Dr. Aman Priya Khanna

MBBS, DNB General Surgery, Fellowship in Minimal Access Surgery, FIAGES

12 Years Experience

Dr Aman Priya Khanna is a well-known General Surgeon, Proctologist and Bariatric Surgeon currently associated with HealthFort Clinic, Health First Multispecialty Clinic in Delhi. He has 12 years of experience in General Surgery and worke...View More

Author

Sparshi Srivastava

Sparshi Srivastava

B.Tech Biotechnology (Bansal Institute of Engineering and Technology, Lucknow)

2 Years Experience

An ardent reader, graduated in B.Tech Biotechnology. She was previously associated with medical sciences secondary research and writing. With a keen interest and curiosity-driven approach, she has been able to cont...View More

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