Using these 8 tips, you can lessen the chance of having another heart attack. A heart attack is more likely to happen to someone who has already had one.
Taking charge of your own heart and blood vessel health, on the other hand, can cut your chances of having a second heart attack by a lot. People who have a heart attack are more likely to have another one if they have certain lifestyle habits and medical conditions.
The way you live has a big impact on how likely you are to have a heart attack. Diet and exercise have been shown to help people live longer and healthier lives.
- Keep your cholesterol levels down. Cholesterol isn’t the only thing to think about. Taking all of your possible risks into account, your doctor will look at the big picture. People who want to lower their cholesterol levels should eat a diet high in fiber, low in cholesterol, saturated fat, and sugar.
- Stop smoking. The risk of having a heart attack doubles when you smoke, and the risk of dying doubles as well.
- Avoid sedentary life. People who don’t work out are more likely to get and die from heart disease than those who work out. You should talk to your doctor before starting a new exercise program. This is especially important if you aren’t already doing any exercise. They can tell you what you can do.
- Take care of high blood pressure and blood sugar. There are more than 50 million people in developing countries who have hypertension, or high blood pressure. This is the most common risk factor for heart disease in the country. Exercise and healthy eating, as well as not eating salt, are good for you. Some people may need to take medicine to keep their blood pressure in check, as well. If you snore or are very tired all the time, getting checked for sleep apnea might be important. The same thing will happen if you have it. Treating it will also help you keep your blood pressure in check.
- Keep your weight in check. The Extra weight makes your heart work harder and less efficiently. Even if you don’t have any other risk factors for a heart attack, having a lot of fat on your body puts you at risk. If you can’t lose weight, talk to your doctor. They can suggest a weight loss program or treatment plan that will help you change your bad habits.
- Take charge of your stress level.After having a heart attack, it’s normal to feel a lot of different things. You might be depressed, especially if you find it hard to adapt to new ways of living. People who are stressed easily develop high blood pressure and high blood sugar. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
- Take your medicine as prescribed and keep in touch with your doctor on a regular basis.After having a heart attack, your doctor is likely to give you medicine to help you avoid having another heart attack. If you want to stay healthy, it’s important that you keep up with the treatment. This is what your doctor will do for you based on your situation.
Remember that your doctor can’t keep track of your progress and make changes if they don’t know what’s going on. Make sure your doctor knows how you’re doing, especially if you’re having any pain. Open and honest communication is the best way to avoid having a second heart attack. People learn new things when they start a new medication regimen, but it’s very important to keep going with it. The American Heart Association has these tips for you:
- Make a chart with a list of your medications and how much each one costs.
- Make sure your weekly pill box is up to date at all times.
- Make sure to set up reminders on your smart phone.
- Commit to cardiac rehabilitation if it’s recommended by your doctor. A lot of the time, doctors recommend cardiac rehabilitation after having a heart attack. Ask if it’s available if it isn’t on the list of things you’re given to do. It starts with a personalized exercise plan made by a physiologist and overseen by a cardiologist, with medical monitoring that lessens as your heart health improves. Usually, there are four stages:
- When you have a heart attack, you should start walking as soon as you can. This is the Phase 1.
- Exercise sessions that use treadmills or bikes and build up the length and intensity of the workouts are part of Phase 2.
- During Phase 3, there will be less monitoring of the exercises.
- Phase 4: Doing things on your own without any help.
Book an appointment with our Cardiologist at Lagos Executive Cardiovascular Centre (Best Cardiology Hospital in Lagos), Call +234 817 365 1737 or email frontdesk@thelecc.com