Reducing Your Risk of Heart Attack

You can lower your risk of heart attack by making modifications to your lifestyle. If you have already had a heart attack, or have several risk factors for heart disease that put you at high risk, your doctor may recommend certain medications to lower your risk of first or recurrent heart attack.

General Guidelines for Preventing Heart Attack

• ]]>If you smoke, quit.]]>
• ]]>Eat a heart healthy diet]]> :
  • Low in saturated fat and cholesterol
  • Rich in whole grains, fruits and vegetables
  • Absent of trans fatty acids
• ]]>Exercise regularly]]> (at least 30 minutes per day of moderately intense activity on most days of the week).
• ]]>Take your medications as directed.]]>
• ]]>Lose excess weight.]]>
• ]]>Drink alcohol in moderation]]> , and take into account risks associated with regular alcohol intake.
  • One or fewer alcoholic beverages per day for women
  • Two or fewer alcoholic beverages per day for men
• Get regular health screenings (blood cholesterol level, blood pressure, etc.)

If You Smoke, Quit

Smoking can increase the amount of fatty material that collects in your arteries. In addition, nicotine contained in cigarette smoke makes your heart work harder. It narrows blood vessels and subsequently increases your heart rate and blood pressure. Also remember that secondhand smoking is detrimental to your health. Make sure you're not exposed to cigarette smoke. When you quit smoking, your risk of heart disease drops significantly within the first year.

Eat a Heart Healthy Diet

A diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, and rich in whole grains, fruits, and vegetables will help lower cholesterol levels, blood pressure, and body weight—three heart attack risk factors. Follow the meal plan recommended by your doctor. Also remember to supplement your diet with omega-3 fatty acids. There is evidence to suggest that omega-3 fatty acids helps to lower blood pressure, prevent heart arrhythmias, and may decrease your risk of heart attack.

Exercise Regularly

Follow your doctor’s recommendations for physical activity. After a heart attack, he or she will likely refer you to a cardiac rehabilitation program, which will help you establish a life-long exercise plan and monitor your initial program. Choose exercises that you enjoy and that you will make a regular part of your day. Strive to maintain an exercise program that keeps you fit and at a healthy weight. For most people, this could include walking briskly or participating in another aerobic activity for at least 30 minutes per day.

Lose Excess Weight

Follow the dietary and exercise plan recommended by your doctor. Being overweight or obese is associated with a higher risk of heart attack, and losing weight lowers that risk. To lose weight, consume fewer calories than you expend. To maintain a healthy weight, eat an equal number of calories than you expend. One indicator of a healthy weight is body mass index. BMI of 25 and above is associated with high blood cholesterol, high blood pressure, and increased risk of heart disease.

Take Medications as Directed

If your healthcare provider has prescribed medications for your heart condition, take them exactly as directed and report side effects to your healthcare provider. Do not skip pills or stop taking them without consulting your healthcare provider.

Ask your doctor whether taking a daily aspirin is right for you. If you are at high risk of heart attack or have had a heart attack, aspirin may help prevent a future heart attack. Since aspirin therapy is not without risk, be sure to consult a health professional before taking an aspirin a day. If you had an angioplasty your doctor may prescribe other anticlotting drugs, like clopidogrel (Plavix), in addition to aspirin.

If you have had a heart attack, your doctor will consider prescribing certain classes of medication to reduce your risk of another heart attack. Your doctor will take into account your personal health history to determine if there are any reasons you should not take these medications. Beta blockers, which lower your blood pressure and heart rate, are generally prescribed for at least a year after a heart attack. People with high cholesterol will be placed on cholesterol lowering medications, like statins. Also, if you had a heart attack that significantly decreased your heart’s pumping capacity you may be given an ACE inhibitor.

Drink Alcohol in Moderation

Heavy drinking is associated with increased risk of heart attack. Moderate drinking may lower the risk of heart attack. Moderate drinking is one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men. One drink equals 12 ounces of beer or 4 ounces of wine or 1 ounce of 100-proof spirits. In addition, alcohol may interfere with your medications. Make sure to discuss your alcohol intake with your healthcare provider.