Doctors say people can take steps to avoid cardiovascular diseases heart attacks and strokes. These are the leading causes death around the world. A study doctors at Northwestern University's Feinberg School Medicine in Chicago and Yonsei University South Korea said that more than 99 per cent of people who had a heart attack or stroke had least one warning sign. The doctors said there were several major signs: high blood pressure, cholesterol, obesity, high blood sugar, and smoking and drinking. All these things can be reduced if people change their lifestyles. The most effective changes are to eat a healthier diet, exercise, and quit smoking and drinking.
In the study, doctors analyzed 10 years health records nine million people in South Korea and 7,000 people the USA. Nearly all of the patients could have avoided heart attacks and strokes. Lead researcher Dr Philip Greenland said: "We have known many years that there is a small number modifiable risk factors heart disease, and least one, but often more than one, are present the background leading to heart attacks, heart failure, or strokes." He added: "Efforts need to be made to treat that factor to prevent heart attack, stroke, or heart failure." Dr Greenland said: "The goal now is to work harder finding ways to control these modifiable risk factors."
