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
Smoking can increase the amount of fatty material that collects in your arteries.

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. Our cardiologists recommend the Mediterranean Diet.

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 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.

Take Medications as Directed
If your health care provider has prescribed medications for your heart condition, take them exactly as directed and report side effects to your health care provider. Do not skip pills or stop taking them without consulting your health care 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. However, alcohol may interfere with your medications. Make sure to discuss your alcohol intake with your health care provider.

When to Contact Your Health Care Provider

SOURCES:

American Heart Association

Daily Aspirin Therapy. Food and Drug Administration website. FDA Consumer Magazine. Available at:
http://www.fda.gov/fdac/features/2003/503_aspirin.html. Accessed October 12, 2004.

All HealthGate consumer health and medical information found on this site is accredited by URAC. URAC's Health Web Site Accreditation Program requires compliance with 53 rigorous standards of quality and accountability, verified by independent audits.

Reducing Your Risk of
Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) and Angina

You can reduce your risk of angina and CAD by making certain lifestyle changes. These include:

Lose Excess Weight
Excess weight puts a strain on the heart muscle, which eventually can lead to angina and CAD. If you are overweight, adopt a sensible eating plan and exercise regularly to lose weight gradually, and maintain your weight at the desired level.
For more information on achieving and maintaining a healthful weight, click here.

Discontinue or Avoid Smoking
Smoking damages your blood vessels, reduces the amount of oxygen in your blood, and forces your heart to work harder. Discuss with your doctor the best way to help you quit smoking.
For more information on quitting smoking, click here.

Limit Fat and Cholesterol
Diets that are high in saturated fat and cholesterol increase your risk of CAD. Saturated fat and cholesterol are found in animal products, most dairy products (such as milk, cream, and cheese), lard, and palm and coconut oils, among other foods. A registered dietitian can help you reduce saturated fats and cholesterol in your diet.
For more information on eating a heart-healthy diet, click here.

Control Blood Glucose Levels if You Have Diabetes
People who have diabetes may reduce their risk of heart attack or other cardiac events if they maintain their blood glucose near normal levels. There are many other proven health benefits to maintaining tight control of blood glucose. If you have diabetes, talk to your doctor about ways to manage your blood sugar.

Keep Homocysteine Levels Low
Homocysteine is an amino acid found naturally in the body. High levels in the blood are linked to CAD. Currently, scientists are not sure whether homocysteine is a cause of CAD, or just a marker. However, homocysteine levels may be reduced by an increased intake of vitamin B6, vitamin B12, and folic acid.

For more information on good food sources of vitamin B6, click here.

For more information on good food sources of vitamin B12, click here.

For more information on eating a diet rich in folate, click here.

Maintain Normal Blood Pressure
High blood pressure (hypertension) is one of the most critical risk factors for angina and coronary artery disease. Hypertension causes the heart muscles to work harder. The increased strain on the heart can lead to heart failure. Discuss with your doctor the best way to reach and maintain a healthy blood pressure. This will involve diet, weight, and exercise controls, and possibly medication.

Exercise Regularly
For people who have not yet developed CAD, regular aerobic exercise, such as brisk walking or using a stationary bike or treadmill, is recommended. Exercise will strengthen the heart muscle and can help lower blood pressure. Exercise is recommended in moderation (at least 3-4 times a week for 30 minutes). However, if you already have CAD, talk to your doctor before starting any new exercise program.

For more information on starting a regular exercise program, click here.

When to Contact Your Health Care Provider
There are some common warning signs that may signal angina and CAD. Contact your health provider if you notice any of these symptoms:

SOURCES:
American Heart Association
American Dietetic Association
The Homocysteine Studies Collaboration. Homocysteine and risk of ischemic heart disease and stroke: a meta-analysis. JAMA. 2002;288:2015-2022.
Wilson, PWF. Homocysteine and coronary heart disease. How great is the hazard? JAMA. 2002;288:2042-2043.

Last reviewed November 2003 by Rhonda Kaufman, MD

All HealthGate consumer health and medical information found on this site is accredited by URAC. URAC's Health Web Site Accreditation Program requires compliance with 53 rigorous standards of quality and accountability, verified by independent audits.