High blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, smoking, lack of physical activity, diabetes, heredity, age, sex, stress and mental tension can all lead to a heart attack.

Here are nine ways to build a healthier heart:

1. Super six
• Soya - 50gm a day, can reduce risk of heart attack by 45%.
• Two Amlas a day, can reduce risk of heart attack by 24% .
• Isabgol - 15gm a day, can reduce risk of heart attack by 30%.
• Garlic - 2 cloves a day, can reduce risk of heart attack by 24%.
• Bengal gram - 30 gm/day can reduce risk of heart attack by 24%.
• Fenugreek - 25gm/day can reduce risk of heart attack by 45%.
These super six lower blood lipids, bad cholesterol and blood sugar. They also reduce plaque formation in arteries and boost immunity.

2. Walking
Walking is an aerobic exercise that conditions the heart and lungs, if done at the proper intensity, for 30-40 minutes, at least 3 to 4 times week. It increases your energy level, relieves tension, increases stamina, tones the muscles, increases your resistance to fatigue and improves your self image too.

3. Drink Water
12 to 14 glasses of water a day help to reduce high blood cholesterol, high blood pressure, boost energy and improve mental and physical performance. Water flushes out wastes and toxins, transports nutrients, regulates temperature and aids in proper digestion.

4. Yoni Mudra
Sit in padmasan or sukhasana. Stretch out both your palms and bring them to your face. Gently close your eyes with the help of the index fingers, without pressing the eyes. Place your fingers on either side of your nose, upper lips and lower lips respectively, as shown in the picture. Now press both your ears gently with your thumbs. Do not put pressure on the eyes or nose.

Now relax the whole body. Feel the emotions within you and concentrate on your breathing. Initially your breathing will be deep, but gradually it will become quiet and shallow. Practice this mudra for 5 to 10 minutes daily.

Benefits: Yoni mudra controls the external senses. It develops calmness, steadiness and balance. It also : helps to increase awareness and concentration.

5. Colour Therapy
The colour you're most attracted to, is the one you need most, this is the new age concept of colour therapy which aims to cure a person’s physical and spiritual ailment. Blue colour represents relaxation, peace, knowledge and communication. To ease heart problems, one needs to instill an overall sense of calmness. Therefore one should concentrate on the colour blue, for about 5 to 10 minutes daily.

6. Friends Need Not Be Human
Heart patients who develop a close relationship with a dog, cat or any other pet animal recover significantly faster and live longer. This is because by providing unconditional affection and love, pets reduce stress levels in their owners.

7. Hysya Yoga
Laughter, it turns out, really is one of the best medicines! This is because Hasya yoga reduces stress hormones, elevates brain awareness, increases blood level and decreases the heart rate, blood pressure and stress levels.

8. Sahaj Dhyan
Sit in padmasan or sukhasana. Sit quietly, relax your body, breathe slowly and deeply, and say “I am calm” each time you exhale. Do not try to chase thoughts out of your head, in fact, don't try to do anything. Practice for five minutes at a time, gradually, going up to 20 minutes. If Sahaj dhyan is regularly practised, it slows breathing, calms the brain and lowers blood pressure, thus leading one to a relaxed state.

9. Shavasana
Lie on the floor on your back. Keep legs straight on the floor with feet apart at a distance of about the width of your shoulders. Keep the arms straight by your sides with hands placed about six inches away from the body. The head and spine should be in a straight line. Close your eyes gently. Leave your whole body loose and stop all physical movements, as you mentally watch your breathing. Allow it to become rhythmic and relaxed. Do this for a minimum of five minutes.

Benefits: This asana helps remove physical and mental fatigue. The breathing becomes more regulated and controlled.

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