Heart attack and cancer are among the leading causes of death worldwide. They are both deadly diseases that we all have to be careful of, especially as we age. Fortunately, there are ways to prevent infarction and lower the risk of cancer.

Here are nine steps you can take:.

Step 1: Quit Smoking

The number one step to prevent not just infarction but also cancer is quitting smoking. Smoking damages your lungs, and it harms your heart as well. It also introduces carcinogens, or cancer-causing chemicals, to your body.

Quitting smoking can be difficult, but it’s not impossible. You can ask for help from your doctor or look for support groups that can help you quit smoking for good.

Step 2: Exercise Regularly

Exercise is good for your heart and your overall health. It helps improve your blood circulation and strengthens your heart muscle. Exercise also helps you maintain a healthy body weight, which is important in preventing heart disease and cancer.

You don’t have to do strenuous exercise every day; even a 30-minute brisk walk can be enough to keep your heart healthy.

Step 3: Follow a Healthy Diet

Eating a balanced and healthy diet helps reduce your risk of both infarction and cancer. A healthy diet consists of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, and healthy fats.

Avoid eating too much sugar, salt, and saturated fat, as they can increase your risk of heart disease and cancer.

Step 4: Maintain a Healthy Weight

Being overweight or obese puts you at a higher risk of infarction and cancer. Maintaining a healthy weight helps reduce your risk of developing these diseases. A healthy body weight is determined by your body mass index or BMI.

You can calculate your BMI by dividing your weight in kilograms by your height in meters squared. A BMI range of 18.5 to 24.9 is considered healthy.

Step 5: Manage Stress

Stress can take a toll on your heart and your entire body. Chronic stress increases your risk of heart disease and cancer. Find ways to manage stress, such as meditation, deep breathing, and exercise.

You can also seek the help of a therapist if you’re having difficulty managing your stress levels.

Step 6: Limit Alcohol Consumption

Drinking too much alcohol increases your risk of infarction and cancer. Limit your alcohol consumption to no more than one drink per day for women and no more than two drinks per day for men.

If you have a history of alcohol abuse, seek professional help to quit drinking for good.

Step 7: Get Enough Sleep

Sleep is important in keeping your heart healthy and in preventing cancer. Lack of sleep increases your risk of developing heart disease and cancer. Aim for at least seven hours of sleep per night to keep your body functioning properly.

Step 8: Keep Cholesterol and Blood Pressure Under Control

High cholesterol and high blood pressure are major risk factors for infarction and cancer. You can keep your cholesterol and blood pressure under control by following a healthy diet, exercising regularly, quitting smoking, and managing stress levels.

If you have high cholesterol or high blood pressure, your doctor may prescribe medication to help lower your levels.

Step 9: Stay Up-to-Date with Health Screenings

Regular health screenings can help detect early signs of heart disease and cancer. Depending on your age and risk factors, your doctor may recommend regular screening for blood pressure, cholesterol, and cancer.

Follow your doctor’s recommendations and don’t hesitate to ask questions or raise concerns.

Conclusion

Preventing infarction and lowering the risk of cancer requires a combination of lifestyle changes and regular health screenings.

By quitting smoking, exercising regularly, following a healthy diet, maintaining a healthy body weight, managing stress levels, limiting alcohol consumption, getting enough sleep, keeping cholesterol and blood pressure under control, and staying up-to-date with health screenings, you can significantly reduce your risk of developing these deadly diseases.