Diet plays a very important role in lowering the risk factor for developing a number of heart diseases and ailments such as heart failure. Make better dietary choices, and eat healthy and nutritious food. Choose a diet that contains unprocessed fruits and vegetables, whole grains, which are rich in fiber and starch. Also, make sure that your diet is low in terms of saturated fat. Read the food labels carefully to determine the amount of cholesterol, saturated fat, and calories per serving.

Stress can be very harmful for your heart as it is known to increase blood cholesterol and blood pressure which makes your heart beat faster. There are several relaxation techniques which can help in dealing with stress. For instance, meditation and yoga are very effective in reducing stress levels. You also need to manage your anger.

Alcohol consumption also increases the risk for heart failure. It will be highly beneficial for your heart if you do not drink at all. Even if you drink, then do so in moderation. For instance, do not have more than two drinks a day. You must also cut back the amount of salt in your diet. Not only table salt, but also high sodium and processed foods such as ham, chips, bacon, canned soup and vegetables must be avoided.

The toxins in tobacco smoke raise the levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL or ‘bad’ cholesterol) while lowering your high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL or ‘good’ cholesterol). The risk for atherosclerosis (also known as hardening of the arteries) increases dramatically because of the high level of LDL in the blood. It is a well known fact that atherosclerosis ultimately leads to heart failure. Eating a diet high in trans and saturated fats, and genetics are some other factors that influence cholesterol level. Make sure that your cholesterol level is checked regularly. Take the necessary steps if your cholesterol level is high.

Even half an hour exercise per day can make sure that your heart stays in a healthy state. Light aerobic activities such as running, swimming, and cycling are very beneficial for your heart. Fitting in a daily workout in your busy schedule and hectic lifestyle can certainly be an overwhelming thought. However, the good news is that exercise doesn’t have to be done all at once to be beneficial. For instance, you can start with incorporating some simple changes in your lifestyle such as use the stairs whenever possible, or take a couple of short walks in a day.

Have your blood pressure checked regularly as the risk of heart failure can be reduced by maintaining a healthy blood pressure. High blood pressure is considered to be anything over 90 for diastolic blood pressure, whereas for systolic blood pressure, readings above 140 are considered to be high. Follow your doctor’s recommendations seriously if your blood pressure is high.

Obesity is another important risk factor associated with heart failure. Along with heart failure, it also leads to a host of other negative health effects. The risks increase dramatically when obesity is joined with medical conditions such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Consult your physician to determine the proper weight for your body type and age. If you are overweight, take effective steps to shed off those extra pounds. You can lessen the risk factors for heart disease if you are able to lose even 10 pounds.

The U.S. Surgeon General has identified smoking as the single most preventable cause of diseases and premature death in the country. This fact is sufficient for describing the prevalent and destructive nature of this habit. The risk of peripheral vascular disease (PVD), cardiovascular disease (CVD), and coronary heart disease (CHD) increases exponentially because of smoking. Smoking is also a risk factor for sudden cardiac death of people with a history of congestive heart failure (CHF). The arteries get narrowed (atherosclerosis) because of the damage caused to the heart and blood vessels from the chemicals present in tobacco. Also, your heart has to work harder due to the narrowing of the blood vessels, this increases your heart rate and blood pressure. The level of blood oxygen is also drops because carbon monoxide in cigarette smoke replaces some of the oxygen in your blood. Even the low-nicotine and smokeless cigarettes are equally risky. All these conditions can ultimately lead to heart failure.

Heredity is one of the important risk factors associated with congestive heart failure. Although, this risk factor cannot be reduced, communication and awareness of your family history can help you and your doctor recognize the early signs and symptoms of congestive heart failure.