4 Ways To Reduce Heart Attack Risk

2 min

To help reduce the risk of a recurrence, heart attack survivors need to take charge of their lifestyle. Diet and exercise are key components of a successful recovery, and the following tips will benefit anyone at risk for a second (or for that matter, a first) heart attack.

Be sure to implement the following tips as these are top line treatments as well. Especially if you have a heart attack history, seek the advice of an integrative medicine practitioner to help you weigh what is best for your future protection. And learn the ways of reversing the factors that you do have control over – the ones that are driving the condition.

1. Manage the big risk factors. Quit smoking, and if you have diabetes, high cholesterol or high blood pressure, it is time to talk with your doctor and focus on getting them under control – follow his or her advice about appropriate medications to help prevent the risk of another event. While medications may not be anyone’s first choice, once the condition is present, very often the benefits of control outweigh any side effect concerns. If there are side effects, there are many prescriptive options to try in order to find what is right for you. If you are on a blood pressure medication, recent studies have shown there is greater protection when taken at night, speak to your prescribing doctor if this is appropriate for you and invest in a blood pressure cuff for regular monitoring at home.
2. Eat a heart-healthy diet. Avoid partially hydrogenated and trans-fats and include more vegetables, fruits, whole soy products, legumes, high fiber whole grains, omega-3 fatty acids and monounsaturated fats. See the food choices recommended in my Anti-Inflammatory Diet Food Pyramid.
3. Get active. Moderate physical activity helps keep the heart muscle strong and the arteries flexible, lowers cholesteroland blood pressure, increases overall energy and helps elevate and stabilize mood. If not part of your plan, ask your doctors if they will prescribe cardiac rehabilitation to help get active in a guided way. Often this is a temporary option, so start planning how you will be active after your sessions are over.
4. Relax. Learn how to implement one or several relaxation strategies into your daily life. Try guided meditation, my 4-7-8 breathing exercise, yoga or any other method that appeals you. Also, consider a deep dive with a spouse, friend or family member to identify your stressors and ways you might reduce them.

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