FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM MARСH 5, 2020 • HEALTH • THE QUEENS COURIER 39
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How to reduce your risk for another heart attack
Aft er a heart attack, as many as 1 in 4
survivors will have another one. Lifestyle
changes and working closely with your
doctor to manage your health can help
minimize the risk of a repeat event.
“A heart attack is a life-changing event,”
said Nieca Goldberg, MD, American
Heart Association volunteer and medical
director of NYU Women’s Heart
Program. “What many people don’t realize
is the hidden risks that led to your
fi rst heart attack can be managed and, by
doing this, you may reduce your risk of
having another one.”
Because up to 80% of heart attacks are
preventable, it’s important to follow your
doctor’s recommendations for reducing
your risk. Talk to your doctor about a
secondary prevention plan, and consider
other steps like these from the American
Heart Association’s secondary prevention
program, nationally sponsored by Bayer:
Take your medications as prescribed.
Certain medicines can lower your risk
of another cardiac event. Th at’s why it’s
important to understand your medications
and take them correctly. Taking
aspirin as recommended by a doctor is
one way to help prevent another attack.
No one should start, stop or modify an
aspirin regimen without fi rst speaking
with their doctor. Aspirin is
not appropriate for everyone,
so be sure to talk to your
doctor before you begin
an aspirin regimen.
Manage your risk
factors. Aft er a heart
attack, it’s important
to manage risk factors
such as high blood
pressure, high cholesterol
and diabetes by
taking medications
as prescribed, quitting
smoking, eating
healthier and getting
active.
Attend your
f o l l o w - u p
appointments.
A t t e n d i n g
your foll
o w - u p
appointments
helps your doctors
keep track
of your condition
and recovery.
You can
make the most
of your time
with your doctor
by preparing
a list of
questions and
concerns along
with a list of all
medications, vitamins
and supplements.
Bringing a
trusted friend or family
member may help as well.
Participate in a cardiac
rehabilitation program. Cardiac
rehabilitation is a medically supervised
program designed to help you recover
aft er a heart attack. You should have
received a referral to cardiac rehab when
you were discharged from the hospital; if
you didn’t, ask your doctor if this program
is right for you.
Get support.
It’s normal
to feel
scared,
overwhelmed
or confused aft er a heart attack.
Getting support from loved ones or people
who have also experienced a heart
attack can help you cope. Connect with
other heart attack survivors and caregivers
through local support groups or the
American Heart Association’s free online
Support Network.
Learn more about ways you can
thrive aft er a heart attack at heart.
org/oneisenough.
Take charge of your
heart health
Heart disease is the
No. 1 cause of death in
the United States, but
your lifestyle can be
your best defense.
Stop smoking. If
you smoke, quit.
If someone in your
household smokes,
encourage him or her
to quit. It may not be
easy, but it’s even
harder to live with chronic heart disease
or recover from a heart attack.
Choose good nutrition. A healthy diet
is one of the best weapons for fi ghting
cardiovascular disease. Research shows
eating 4-5 servings of fruits and vegetables
each day may lower blood pressure
over time.
Lower cholesterol. Fat lodged in your
arteries can trigger a heart attack or
stroke. Reduce your intake of saturated
fat, trans fat and cholesterol, and get
moving. If diet and physical activity alone
don’t get those numbers down, then medication
may be the key.
Lower blood pressure. Shake that salt
habit, take your medications as recommended
by your doctor and get moving.
An optimal blood pressure reading is less
than 120/80 mmHg (millimeters of mercury).
Be physically active. Research has shown
that at least 150 minutes per week of moderate
intensity physical activity can help
lower blood pressure and cholesterol and
keep your weight at a healthy level.
Reduce stress. Some studies have noted
a relationship between coronary heart
disease risk and stress. Th is may aff ect
the risk factors for heart disease and
stroke. For example, people under
stress may overeat, start smoking
or smoke more than
they otherwise would.
Content courtesy of
the American Heart
Association’s secondary
prevention
initiative.
— Courtesy
of Family
Features
/WWW.QNS.COM
