Bad eating series#

'You shouldn't shy away from use of statins if your doctor recommends them,' she adds.Ĭontrol your blood pressure. Your doctor can help you weigh the risks versus benefits of statins for managing your condition. 'Although statins have been linked to an increased risk of diabetes, there's strong evidence that they're effective in reducing heart attack and stroke risk in women and men,' says Dr. If your cholesterol is high, it's worth considering taking action, whether that includes making dietary changes or taking a statin or other medication. Keeping your cholesterol in check starts by knowing your numbers. Talk to your doctor about options that might be right for you.

'The DASH diet and several other dietary approaches also are effective,' says Dr. The Mediterranean diet, high in vegetables, healthy fats, nuts, and fish, has been linked to a reduction in cardiovascular disease, but it's not the only one. A healthful diet is one of the best ways to ward off cardiovascular disease. So how can you do this? Through tried-and-true strategies, which you've no doubt heard about many times before.

'It's a highly preventable disease,' says Manson. With the right interventions, you can reduce your risk of developing heart disease by as much as 80%. 'There is compelling evidence that lifestyle modifications, and medications, as needed, can reduce your risk factors,' she says. Manson, and also to prevent its consequences, heart attack or stroke. The goal should be to halt the development or progression of atherosclerosis, says Dr. So, while improvement is theoretically possible, realistically it may not be the best place to focus your efforts. The same studies also show that making the types of changes required to reverse the clogging in your arteries is more challenging than many people can achieve, says Dr. While this may give you a glimmer of hope that you can reverse some of the harm you did to your arteries in your younger years, there is a caveat. These include studies that looked at the effects of diet as well as intensive lifestyle modifications and use of medications. 'Some studies suggest that regression of atherosclerosis is possible,' she says. Manson, professor of medicine and the Michael and Lee Bell Professor of Women's Health at Harvard Medical School. The answer is a little complicated, says Dr. You're now repenting for the sins of the past, but the question is, can you undo the damage? Can you unclog clogged arteries (otherwise known as atherosclerosis) and reduce your risk of heart disease in the process?

Bad eating series#

Perhaps in the decades that followed you pursued a series of fad diets, questionable lifestyle choices, and too many days when you skipped your workout in favor of the couch. In your 20s, maybe you sometimes chose fast-food burgers and fries over healthier foods. Even if you can't, you can still substantially reduce your risk of heart attack and stroke through lifestyle changes and certain medications.