Lifestyle Changes for Angina with No Blockage

Keeping your weight within a healthy range can lower your risk for heart conditions.

Regular exercise and balanced nutrition play a crucial role in weight management. Follow a heart-healthy diet that includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats. Limit your intake of saturated and trans fats, along with sodium and added sugars. Engage in regular physical activity: ideally at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity at least five days a week, or more vigorous aerobic activity for at least 75 minutes a week.

Other health conditions, including diabetes and high blood pressure (hypertension) can increase your risk of heart diseases. Regular checkups can help ensure that such conditions are managed through regular blood pressure monitoring and cholesterol checks.

Excessive alcohol use can lead to multiple health issues, including heart disease, and can increase the risk of coronary artery spasm. There may be no safe amount of alcohol. Alcohol is measured in “alcohol units”: 1.5 ounces of hard liquor, 5 ounces of wine, and 12 ounces of beer all count as an alcohol unit. Women have less of a substance in the stomach that breaks down alcohol, so if a woman drinks as much as a man, she will have more alcohol in her bloodstream.

Limit your alcohol consumption to moderate levels, which means three and a half alcohol units per week for women and seven per week for men. Measure how much you are drinking in each glass to avoid pouring a double or triple drink.

Smoking is a major risk factor for heart disease. One of NYU Langone’s Tobacco Cessation Programs can help you quit.

Stress can negatively impact your heart health. Stress happens to everyone, and a goal of stress management is to prevent stress from hurting the body. Stress reduction techniques, including yoga, meditation, deep breathing exercises, and mindfulness, can help reduce anxiety and its accompanying symptoms, such as increased heart rate. In addition, regular exercise can help reduce stress and improve your overall wellbeing.