Heart attack: doing this daily task can prevent this medical emergency

* Heart attack symptoms can include chest pain, dizziness or an overwhelming sense of anxiety * Symptoms of the possible medical emergency can appear rapidly, or more slowly * You could

prevent the condition by doing this activity twice a day Heart attack symptoms can be triggered rapidly, or gradually. Signs that the event is occurring include a pain in the chest, feeling

dizzy or an overwhelming sense of anxiety. “Although the chest pain is often severe, some people may only experience minor pain, similar to indigestion,” said the NHS on its website. You

could prevent the condition by eating a healthy balanced diet, avoiding smoking and maintaining a normal blood pressure. The NHS says that brushing your teeth twice a day can help reduce

your risk. “The good news is that brushing your teeth properly and looking after your gums can prevent and treat gum disease, and reduce your risk of overall problems such as heart disease,”

says the NHS on its website. “Follow a routine of brushing your teeth for a full two minutes twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, plus cleaning between your teeth with floss or interdental

brushes.” Taking care of your mouth and gums, may help prevent an infection which can increase your risk of developing gum disease. The Chief Executive of the British Dental Foundation, Dr

Nigel Carter, says the link between poor gums and conditions like a heart attack is “well documented” and “backed by robust scientific evidence”. “Despite this, only one in three people is

aware of the heart disease link,” he says. The Mayo Clinic, based in America, adds that “many studies have shown a connection between gum disease and other serious conditions, including

heart disease”. “Research suggests that periodontitis is associated with an increased risk of developing heart disease and that people with chronic gum disease have increased thickness of

their neck blood vessels.” However, the clinic remains sceptical, saying that brushing your teeth is important, but may not be a “key to heart disease prevention”. Harvard Medical School

says that people with gum disease, caused by poor oral health, are “two to three times more likely to have a heart attack, stroke or other serious cardiovascular event”. It says that gum

disease can cause inflammation, leading to a rapid response, which may then cause plaques to build up in nearby arteries, possibly blocking them. A recent survey by Simplyhealth, which

provides dental care, found that just 30 per cent of UK citizens think that there is a link between oral health and heart disease. Other ways to prevent a heart attack include eating

avocados. The millennial-fruit is a good source of poly-unsaturated fats, which is a good replacement for foods containing saturated and trans fats. These can raise your cholesterol level,

increasing the risk of a heart attack. “When you do use fats, choose monounsaturated fats, such as olive oil or canola oil,” says the Mayo Clinic on its website. “Polyunsaturated fats, found

in certain fish, avocados, nuts and seeds, also are good choices for a heart-healthy diet.”