Tips To Reduce Your Odds Of Having A Second Heart Attack

Heart attacks aren’t as deadly as they used to be, all thanks to the huge strides that have been made in emergency treatment for heart attacks, hundreds of thousands of Americans who have had heart attacks survive the experience, some after more than one attack. If you are one of those survivors, protecting the health of your heart should be your top priority. According to the American Heart Association, one out of four men and one out of three women who live through an attack will die within the following year, most often of cardiac arrest or another heart attack. Your role is the most important in your heart health. By taking proper action, you can significantly reduce your chances for a second heart attack.

Your risk for a second heart attack depends largely on the treatment plan you follow and the lifestyle changes you make. It is essential that you follow the lifestyle changes your doctor has recommended and stay on top of your treatment plan, since having one heart attack significantly raises your risk of having another one. It is just as important, if not more, to understand all the signs of heart attack and have an emergency plan in place should one occur again.

Here are a few tips that can help keep your heart in working order:

Adopt Positive Lifestyle Changes- Your recovery plan after a heart attack should be designed to address any of the risk factors you have and should provide ways to improve them. Try your best to avoid or manage smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, unhealthy weight, excessive alcohol use, lack of exercise, high blood sugar levels, and diet high in cholesterol, saturated fat, and trans fats.

Strictly Follow Your Treatment Plan- You will need to make your treatment plan your priority, whether it is medication to help reduce your risk factors, or participating in a cardiac rehab program that your doctor may recommend. Remember, effective treatment goes beyond being just physical, it’s mental and emotional, too, which a cardiac rehab program addresses, so do not pass up on it if your doctor recommends cardiac rehabilitation.

Stay Prepared For A (God Forbid) Second Event- You’ve hugely reduced your odds of a recurrence if you are following your treatment plan and living a healthy lifestyle. However, it is wise to know the signs of a heart attack so you can react quickly if necessary, which includes chest pain or discomfort, cold sweats, lightheadedness, shortness of breath, nausea, pressure, fullness or a squeezing sensation within your chest, and pain or discomfort  in the arms, back, neck, jaw, or upper stomach. Dial 911 right away if you notice any one of these symptoms. Higher death rates among people struck with heart attacks (or cardiac arrests) is mainly due to delayed treatment, which partly is because warning signs aren’t understood or overlooked.

Create An Emergency Plan- The truth is you cannot predict an emergency. It would be wise to make a list of pertinent medical information, which should include your doctor’s name and contact details, your date of birth and ethnicity, information about your medical history (including conditions you’ve been diagnosed with), your emergency contact’s name and information, and names of medications, when you take them, and how much you take. The most important thing to remember is to call 911 right away if you’re experiencing symptoms of a heart attack.

Hope you find this information to be useful.

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