My recent review of the effects of cocoa flavonoids on the cardiovascular system gave me a new view of the heart itself and why prevention is way better than cure when it comes to cardiovascular diseases, considering how important that organ 'the heart' is. Virtually any problem with the heart would in a way or the other affect general body function. Now lets look at a few ways by which heart attacks can be prevented.

1. If you have a family history of any kind of cardiovascular disease, be sure to check yourself for cardiovascular risk factors such as high blood pressure, high blood sugar, high body mass index which includes overweight and obesity, abnormal kidney function and other every time.

2. Smoking, which is a very huge cardiovascular risk habit should be totally avoided if you are avoiding an heart attack.

3. Consumption of alcohol, which puts one at a risk of developing most of the aforementioned cardiovascular risk factors should be avoided like a plague.

4. Healthy eating habits should be adopted; This is very important, because not so many people are mindful of the health benefits or risks of the food they consume. A look at high cholesterol containing foods, foods containing fatty acids and many others which should be avoided by anyone attempting to stay healthy.

5. Regular monitoring of the blood pressure is also very important like the saying goes; prevention is far better and cheaper than cure! An early detection of a high blood pressure will help to totally reduce the risk of developing stroke or other high blood pressure related diseases.

Flavonoids are naturally occurring substances present in plants and beverages (e.g fruits like apples and grapes, flavonol rich chocolates and also in cocoa. Recently, scientists have discovered that the consumption of flavonoid rich fruits and vegetables helps effectively in reducing the risk some coronary heart diseases and chronic illnesses like stroke and cancer. Cocoa flavonoids acts as antioxidants in the body's defence against free radicals and they also have a protective effect against cardiovascular health due to their abilitity to alter pathological processes involved in building up of cardiovascular diseases.

Source: http://www.healthyarenang.com/2015/10/did-you-know-chocolates.html?m=1