Prevention
To prevent a heart attack:
Keep your blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol under control.
Don't smoke.
Consider drinking 1 to 2 glasses of alcohol or wine each day. Moderate amounts of alcohol may reduce your risk of cardiovascular problems. However, drinking larger amounts does more harm than good.
Eat a low-fat diet rich in fruits and vegetables and low in animal fat.
Eat fish twice a week. Baked or grilled fish is better than fried fish. Frying can destroy some of the health benefits.
Exercise daily or several times a week. Walking is a good form of exercise. Talk to your doctor before starting an exercise routine.
Lose weight if you are overweight.
If you have one or more risk factors for heart disease, talk to your doctor about possibly taking aspirin to help prevent a heart attack. Aspirin therapy (75 mg to 325 mg a day) or a drug called clopidogrel may be prescribed for women at high risk for heart disease.
Aspirin therapy is recommended for women over age 65 to prevent a heart attack and stroke. However, it is only recommended if blood pressure is controlled and the benefit is likely to outweigh the risk of gastrointestinal side effects. Regular use of aspirin is not recommended for healthy women under age 65 to prevent heart attacks.
New guidelines no longer recommend hormone replacement therapy, vitamins E or C, antioxidants, or folic acid to prevent heart disease.
After a heart attack, you will need regular follow-up care to reduce the risk of having a second heart attack. Often, a cardiac rehabilitation program is recommended to help you gradually return to a normal lifestyle. Always follow the exercise, diet, and medication plan prescribed by your doctor.
