The arteries feed blood to the heart.In severe cases, plaque builds up on the walls of the arteries, blocking blood flow to the heart muscle, which leads to a heart attack.Congestive heart failure and even stroke can be caused by coronary artery disease.The damage to the arteries is irreversible.You can prevent further damage with medical intervention and lifestyle changes.
Step 1: It is a good idea to eat a well-rounded diet.
Eating a diet high in fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains will ensure your health.It is important to avoid foods with high levels of saturated fats.You can get help with meal planning from your doctor.Chicken breast and fish provide a healthy source of energy and help to build muscle mass.Olive oil and fish oil can be used in place of saturated fat to reduce health risks when cooking healthy foods.
Step 2: It's a good idea to exercise regularly.
It is important to work your way up to 2.5 hours a week of moderate intensity exercise when your doctor approves.Walking improves heart health and is one of the best ways to move at your own pace.Increase the amount of time spent exercising as you get used to it.
Step 3: Smoking and tobacco use should be stopped.
A smoking cessation program, prescription medication, or a support group can help you quit smoking.
Step 4: Don't drink more than one alcoholic beverage per day.
This should be the same as 12 ounces.Beer can be up to 9 ounces.There is 5 ounces of malt liquor.There is up to 4 ounces of table wine.There is up to 3 ounces of fortified wine.There is 88 liters of cordial or liqueur.It contains either brandy or hard liquor.
Step 5: Relieve stress.
Practice stress management techniques.It is possible to seek the assistance of a trained therapist or other professional in reducing stress.
Step 6: Listen to the signs of your body.
If you experience pain or other adverse effects that may be connected to your heart condition, contact your doctor or the emergency room immediately.
Step 7: It's a good idea to visit your cardiologist frequently.
To prevent more advanced coronary syndromes such as high blood pressure, heart attack, and stroke, you will need to work with your cardiologist to determine how frequently you should schedule checkup.
Step 8: A cardiac rehabilitation plan should be started.
Depending on the severity of your coronary arteries disease, these ongoing care plans may include a number of treatments.Cardiac rehabilitation begins when you are diagnosed.Behavior and lifestyle changes, diet and exercise, surgery, prescription medications, and after care are included in your plan.Under the supervision of a trained cardiac rehabilitation specialist, all of this is done.
Step 9: All prescribed medications need to be taken consistently.
Skipping one day may be detrimental to your recovery plan.If you experience extreme side effects, contact your doctor immediately.It could be as simple as taking aspirin daily, or it could include more advanced prescription drugs.If you have had a heart attack, your doctor may prescribe a blocker.The blockers help prevent arrhythmia.As these medications relax blood vessels and increase blood flow, they are often prescribed to prevent advanced coronary attacks.An aspirin regimen may be the first course of action recommended by your physician, and taking one aspirin each day has proven effective in reducing risk for acute cardiac syndromes in people with coronary artery disease.If you have any of the risk factors for coronary artery disease, such as hypertension, diabetes, or high blood cholesterol, your doctor will prescribe medication to treat or control them.
Step 10: As necessary, complete any surgical care.
Prior to a severe cardiac event like a heart attack or stroke, surgery can be used to reduce the amount of blocked arteries.You may need to have preventative procedures like balloon angioplasty and stent placement.These procedures can be done in-office to reduce or stop it.The minimally-invagant treatments are done by a cardiologist who uses a small tube to access the heart.Enhanced external counterpulsation is a minimally-invagant procedure that can be used to create a natural bypasses for patients who can't get a full bypass surgery because of their symptoms.Blood flow around a blocked arteries can be re-routed with cardiopulmonary arteriosclerosis surgery.New blood vessels are used to create a new pathway to the heart.
Step 11: Find out everything you can about the disease.
Two common myths that may make you feel less inclined to seek early intervention for coronary artery disease are that only older people develop heart disease and that symptoms would be apparent.It is possible for people to begin developing blockage in their teens.It is important for you to understand the basics of the disease.Angina, chronic or frequent chest pain, occurs when the heart is unable to receive adequate amounts of oxygen rich blood.The sign of heart disease only occurs in advanced stages.Ischemia is a sign of coronary artery disease.It happens when your heart is not able to pump enough blood and oxygen into it.This can be alleviated by resting.Ischemia is not a sign of heart disease because you can make a full recovery after rest.
Step 12: Regular checkup is important for early diagnosis.
In the earliest stages of heart disease, there will be no obvious symptoms.You are less likely to develop advanced coronary artery disease if you visit a physician regularly.
Step 13: Receive testing from a doctor.
If your general physician thinks you may be at risk for heart disease because of the results of a checkup, it is important to seek an official diagnosis from a doctor who specializes in cardiovascular disease.An official diagnosis may include advanced tests.Electrocardiograms or EKGs are used to diagnose coronary arteries disease.The doctor can note any irregular heart beats with the help of an EKG.Changes in heart function that occur during times of increased movement are noted in stress tests.x-rays capture images of the heart pumping and show the position and extent of blocked arteries.
Step 14: The treatment plan for acute coronary syndrome should be designed.
If you experience an acute cardiac event, your treatment plan may need to include options that reduce the risk of a repeat event.The most common and easy to treat advanced coronary syndrome is high blood pressure.Changes to your diet and exercise routines as well as a prescription medication can bring high blood pressure under control.Myocardial infarction is the second most common cause of heart attack.Following a heart attack, treatment may include any number of interventions.While strokes affect the brain, they are often associated with coronary artery disease as they occur when blood flow to your brain is decreased or blocked.Treatment for stroke can include weeks, months, or years of rehabilitation in the hospital and at home.