Preventing Heart Disease

AEDs In The Workplace.

Diet is a major contributor to heart disease, and thus the need for AEDs in the workplace. In America today, the primary issue is diet. This is evidenced by the plethora of popular fast food restaurants found everywhere. Over-consumption of these convenient meals is almost a guarantee of heart disease, obesity and a host of other diseases that plague America.

The dietary answer is simple. Consume a diet primarily of fruits, vegetables and whole grains, fish, lean meats and low fat dairy products. And, reduce sugar and salt in your diet. This invariably means avoiding fast foods, most of which contain harmful trans fatty acids. Also, reading product labels at grocery stores is helpful, as any foods containing hydrogenated oils (trans fats) of any sort have been proven to contribute to heart disease. This usually includes most packaged foods, fried foods and bakery items.

However, totally eliminating fats from one’s diet is not prudent. In fact, healthy fats (essential fatty acids) found in certain fruits, vegetables and fish contribute to a healthy heart and have been proven to reduce cholesterol and improve blood pressure.  Basic strategies, like these, can help reduce cardiac arrest and the need for AEDs in the workplace.

Furthermore, excessive alcohol consumption has also been shown to contribute to heart disease, leading to cardiac arrest. However, studies over the past two decades have shown that red wine in moderation is beneficial for maintaining a healthy heart. It helps thin blood and the antioxidant, resveratrol found in it, may contribute to good cholesterol and help reduce build-up of bad cholesterol.  The Mayo Clinic recommends one five- ounce drink per day for healthy adults, and up to two per day for men aged 65 and younger. Vitamin B can also lower bad cholesterol and increase good cholesterol, if taken in therapeutic doses, as sold by prescription.

In the event of cardiac arrest, it has been shown that coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), also available in supplement form, improves survival of patients, and they are less likely to have a recurrence, if CoQ10 is maintained at a certain level.