Healthy heart diet comprises a combination of varying foods, including fruits, vegetables, seeds, and nuts.
"Also avoid instant foods and processed canned foods," he told ANTARA here, Monday.
Moreover, people should avoid salty foods and use low-salt condiments, such as soy sauce or ketchup, he remarked.
Cigarette and alcohol should also be avoided or not consumed since they raise the risk of heart disease, he stated.
In addition, he noted that routine health examination is one of the ways to maintain heart health. He urged people to routinely examine their blood sugar levels, cholesterol, and blood pressure.
Health examination becomes important since several people are asymptomatic despite already having relatively high blood pressure.
People can discuss with health workers if they have high risk of heart disease, so that health workers can help in planning accurate lifestyle modification, Ulhaq stated.
If there are people already diagnosed with hypertension or diabetes, then there should be a lifestyle change target and regular medication monitored by health workers.
Earlier, the Health Ministry had strengthened the primary service system in an effort to stem the rate of heart disease cases that are not only lethal but also have the highest treatment costs in Indonesia.
This is conducted through education, primary prevention, secondary prevention, capacity improvement, and primary service capability, Non-Communicable Disease Prevention and Handling Director at the ministry Eva Susanti confirmed here, Thursday.
The effort to bolster primary service is made by intensifying health promotion to the people around seven main campaigns in handling non-communicable diseases.
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Translator: Martha H S, Fadhli Ruhman
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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