Issue link: http://viewer.e-digitaledition.com/i/915948
THE BEST DEFENSE AFTER A A heart attack can be a life-changing event, but it does not have to be a life-limiting one. INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE experienced a heart attack are at greater risk for additional cardiac events, but they are not automatically destined to repeat the past. While a variable like a family history cannot be changed, many personal choices like exercising daily, eating a healthy, balanced diet, and choosing to not smoke can be made. "An initial heart attack identifies the affected person as someone who has risk factors," says Terrence Sacchi, M.D., chief of cardiology at NewYork-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital. "To counteract those risks, that individual would benefit from a full-court press treatment plan to lessen them and improve his or her chances for better cardiac health." PLAN OF ACTION Doctors and other specialists can act as coaches who help patients who have had a heart attack develop a comprehensive strategy to prevent a repeat. In addition to dietary changes and adopting a daily exercise routine, the plan may include: Medications to control risk factors like high blood pressure, high glucose levels, high cholesterol and existing heart conditions. Interventional procedures to open clogged arteries. Surgical procedures to repair a malfunctioning heart. Regular checkups with doctors to monitor progress and fine-tune treatment plans. Family members and friends can also be tremendous resources to individuals who have survived a heart attack by encouraging them to follow through on lifelong commitments to live healthier lives. Most importantly, heart attack survivors and their loved ones should be aware of heart attack warning symptoms. "It's critical to go to the emergency room if you're experiencing symptoms like chest pain, tightness, shortness of breath, nausea, or discomfort in your arm or jaw," says John Heitner, M.D., director of noninvasive cardiology at NYP Brooklyn Methodist. "These symptoms don't always indicate heart problems, but they warrant a medical evaluation. It's better to be overcautious than not cautious enough when it comes to the heart." DOs and DON'Ts to Avoid a Heart Attack try to avoid stressful situations and frequently practice stress-relieving activities like meditation, journaling, stretching, aromatherapy or listening to music. DON'T give up healthy habits once you start to see improvements in blood pressure, cholesterol levels or other risk factors for heart attack. understand that smoking affects more than just the lungs. Chemicals in cigarette smoke damage blood cells and heart function, and clog the arterial passageways that circulate oxygen-rich blood throughout the body. This makes smoking one of the biggest risk factors for heart attacks and other cardiovascular issues. DON'T resign yourself to the belief that subsequent heart attacks are inevitable. With the proper lifestyle adjustments, survivors of a heart attack can live long, healthy lives. seek out support groups or psychological help if depression or other mental health conditions follow a heart attack. Studies have found that depression is three times more common in those who have had a heart attack than in people who have not experienced a cardiovascular emergency. Heart Attack F IN D A D O C T O R 718 . 49 9.C A R E ( 2 27 3 ) 7 D O s A N D D O N ' T s