How to keep your heart healthy as Lisa Marie Presley’s sudden death underscores the importance of low cholesterol, diet, exercise and much more

Lisa Marie Presley died aged 54 of cardiac arrest, which is different from a heart attack, but you can reduce your risk of both with these experts’ tips

Blocked arteries and inflammation play huge roles in heart failure; managing cholesterol helps avoid plaque build-up, which impedes blood flow to the heart

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One of the best ways to prevent a heart attack and maintain a healthy heart is to protect your arteries against plaque build-up and inflammation. Photo: Shutterstock

Published: 7:15am, 19 Jan 2023

Many of us sat up nervously at the news of the sudden death of the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll’s daughter.

Lisa Marie Presley was only 54 when she suffered suspected cardiac arrest just days after she spoke at the Golden Globe Awards – where she was apparently hearty and happy.

Cardiac arrest isn’t the same as a heart attack. It happens when a heart stops beating suddenly because something overrides the heart’s normal, working rhythm. When that happens, blood can’t be pumped around the body any more.

Think of a cardiac arrest in terms of an “electrical” problem.

A heart attack, on the other hand, is a “circulatory” issue. When the arteries become furred or blocked – usually because of high cholesterol – the heart muscle doesn’t get the blood supply it needs to stay healthy and work properly.

The symptoms are different, too: cardiac arrest might cause fainting or a racing heartbeat, whereas a heart attack often causes pain in the chest or upper body – such as your shoulder or arm – and shortness of breath.