Heart Disease Prevention Tips & Resources

Heart Disease Prevention Tips & Resources
Best Heart-Healthy Foods and Recipes
Power up your meals with these heart-healthy foods and explore quick and delicious recipes. Watch the videos to see how easy it is to create these dishes.
Green Beans
From boosting the immune system to managing weight, green beans offer a host of benefits. They’re cholesterol free, have soluble fiber, and are naturally low in sodium.4 Green beans are available fresh or frozen and they make a great side or can be mixed into a dish.
Black Beans
This tasty legume is rich in fiber and antioxidants that help protect the heart and can lower your risk of developing diabetes. The flavonoids in black beans can help prevent platelet aggregation.3 Store canned beans in a cool place to preserve antioxidant potency.
Salmon
A good source of protein, salmon is packed with omega-3 fatty acids, which have been shown to decrease inflammation and lower blood pressure.1 The USDA recommends adults eat 8 ounces of salmon a week; 2 – 4 ounces for kids starting at age 2.2 Get inspired with this recipe.
How-To Guides for Making Smart Choices for Your Heart
How to know which oils to use
How to eat out healthier
How to cook with less salt
More Nutrition Tips and Tricks
Download quick guides to healthier alternatives and use them in your favorite cuisines.
See What Else Is Cooking in Our Kitchen
Watch Stanford Health Care’s Chef Isaac Karachepone transform everyday ingredients into tasty, heart-healthy dishes from start to finish. Read on to see the full menu.
Hear what Stanford Health Care cardiologists have to say about Chef Isaac’s dishes and the key elements of maintaining good cardiovascular health.
Eldrin Lewis, MD, MPH, shares tips and recommendations to encourage healthy eating habits.
Kiran Khush, MD, highlights how colorful foods are an essential part of a healthy meal.
Brian Wayda, MD, MPH, shares how families can contribute to healthy eating.
More Ways to Take Charge of Your Heart Health
- Know your numbers: Get your cholesterol, blood pressure, and glucose levels checked. Don’t have a physician? Find one near you.
- Get active: Exercise every day. Even a light 20-minute walk can make a big difference.
- Reduce your stress: Take up meditation or find time every day to do something you love.
- Educate yourself: Learn about what to look out for, risk factors, treatments, and prevention.
What You Need to Know About Cardiovascular Disease
Heart Disease Symptoms in Women
Women can experience pain in the neck, fatigue, and nausea. Know the signs.
South Asians Have a Higher Risk
South Asians have four times the risk of heart attack and stroke.
Every Step Counts
Many people feel fine until their first heart attack. Don’t wait.
Maintaining Good Vascular Health is Key
Learn how Stanford Health Care treats the whole patient.
Explore Cardiovascular Health
Stanford Health Care has been at the forefront of igniting new research and the latest advances in heart and vascular medicine. We offer treatments that are not available elsewhere; treatments that can greatly improve cardiovascular health and help patients live longer lives. Learn how we make getting care accessible to all and our approach to providing personalized care to meet the needs of each individual.
Explore Cardiovascular Health
Stanford Health Care has been at the forefront of igniting new research and the latest advances in heart and vascular medicine. We offer treatments that are not available elsewhere; treatments that can greatly improve cardiovascular health and help patients live longer lives. Learn how we make getting care accessible to all and our approach to providing personalized care to meet the needs of each individual.
FAQs
February is American Heart Health Month, a time in which people are encouraged to focus on their cardiovascular health through education, awareness, and action.
Heart disease, also called cardiovascular disease, refers to conditions that affect the heart or blood vessels.
It is the leading cause of death among men and women in the U.S.
The most common types of heart disease are:
- Coronary artery disease
- High blood pressure
- Cardiac arrest
- Congestive heart failure
- Arrhythmia
- Peripheral artery disease
- Stroke
- Congenital heart disease
Symptoms depend on the type of heart disease and can include:
- Chest pain or tightness in the chest
- Shortness of breath
- Pain in the neck, jaw, throat, upper belly, or back
- Pain or numbness in arms or legs
- Dizziness
- Lightheadedness
- Racing or irregular heartbeats
- Weakness or fatigue
- Swollen legs or feet
Some people may not have symptoms or may not know they have heart disease until a complication occurs, which is why it’s important to measure your blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood glucose levels with your primary care physician.
Risk factors for heart disease include:
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Smoking
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- Unhealthy diet
- Lack of physical activity
- Excessive alcohol use
According to the American Heart Association, an estimated 80% of heart disease is preventable. Some steps to help prevent and manage heart disease include:
- Eating a heart-healthy diet
- Exercising regularly
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Avoiding smoking
- Getting your numbers checked for blood pressue, cholesterol, and blood glucose
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Sources
- https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/salmon-nutrition-and-health-benefits#1
- https://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/benefits-salmon
- https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/are-black-beans-healthy#benefits
- https://www.healthline.com/health/food-nutrition/green-beans#heart-health
- https://www.heart.org/en/news/2022/09/01/take-a-fresh-look-at-oatmeal-its-not-as-simple-as-you-think#:~:text=Extensive%20studies%20have%20associated%20oats,host%20of%20vitamins%20and%20minerals.
- https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/british-journal-of-nutrition/article/cruciferous-vegetable-intake-is-inversely-associated-with-extensive-abdominal-aortic-calcification-in-elderly-women-a-crosssectional-study/D41FFFF020A58DC9A70C6320ADD86058