How Can I Prevent A Heart Attack?

IF I’VE BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH HEART DISEASE,HOW CAN I PREVENT A HEART ATTACK?

Above all, if you’re a smoker quit!

• Keep your blood pressure low
• Schedule regular visits with your physician, physician assistant or nurse to monitor your progress
• Monitor symptoms yourself
• Check for changes in your fluid status
• Schedule regular follow-up visits with your cardiology team
• Notify each of your doctors about
  • your heart failure
  • any medications you are on
  • any restrictions you have
• Keep accurate records and take them with you to each doctor’s visit
• Decrease your risks of progressive heart disease
  • Reach and maintain a weight level that’s healthy for you
  • Control high blood pressure
  • Control high cholesterol
  • Manage diabetes
  • Exercise regularly
  • Do not drink alcohol or drinks that contain too much caffeine
  • Decrease your intake of salt
  • Take medications as prescribed