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  • Improving your lifestyle

IMPROVING YOUR LIFESTYLE

Can coronary thrombosis be prevented by modifying your lifestyle?

Unfortunately, the only lifestyle change that we can be absolutely sure about is that from smoker to non-smoker. Advice about other lifestyle factors and diet cannot be based on the strict scientific evidence, in the way that benefits of drugs are shown – the double-blind cross-over clinical trial. The advice is based on comparison of populations, epidemiology and experimental data.

1. DO NOT SMOKE

This is the adverse lifestyle for which the most compelling evidence exists of every type.

2. TAKE EXERCISE

The evidence suggests that this should be moderate sustained exercise, not long distance athletic training which causes enlargement of the heart, and not very intense exercise such as playing squash which can put a sudden strain on the heart which it cannot bear. The exercise needs to be maintained permanently and therefore should take the form of that most pleasurable to the individual, in order to maintain motivation. For instance, if jogging or gym work bores you, try taking up golf, bicycling or swimming. At the very least walk a few miles every day. When exercising, take the family with you (children also need exercise).

3. EAT HEALTHILY

Eat a natural balanced diet and avoid prepared, preserved and frozen food. The diet must contain fresh fruit and vegetables, and not contain much sugar and other carbohydrates. Cut down the amount eaten so that you do not become overweight. Garlic is beneficial. Fat should be consumed if possible as fish oil and olive oil. Many vegetable oils are not recommended. Some animal fats are beneficial, e.g., seal blubber, goose fat, dairy fats. Milk and eggs should not be avoided. Avoid excessive amounts of meat protein. Moderate alcohol intake (not more than half a bottle of wine a day) is beneficial.

4. VITAMINS

All vitamins should be available in the kind of healthy diet described above. However there is some evidence that supplements of vitamins C, E, B6 and folic acid may be beneficial – at least they do no harm.

5. STRESS

Avoid, if possible excessive stress. Most stress is caused by either employment problems, illness or incompatibilities with partners. If rows or suppressed rage become frequent, it may be wise to change these factors, seeking professional advice for that purpose.