Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States.There are many ways to manage heart disease symptoms.Taking control of your heart health is an important step in fighting a heart disease.
Step 1: Work with the doctor to come up with a treatment plan.
Your doctor will help develop a plan for you based on your condition, symptoms, and genetic background.A doctor will usually use medication, testing, surgery, and lifestyle changes to help someone with a heart disease diagnosis.Don't be afraid to ask your doctor questions.Important factors which may have brought on your heart disease should be asked for.Questions about the cost of surgery, medication, or other treatment plans can be asked.Set goals for yourself to monitor your treatment with your doctor's help.If you want to achieve a healthy blood pressure, you should aim for a lower one every month.
Step 2: Consider taking medication.
Simple lifestyle changes aren't enough to treat heart disease.Many types of heart disease symptoms can be treated with medication.Drugs are able to treat elevated blood pressure, heart attacks, strokes, and heart valve problems.The workload on your heart can be lightened with the help of bier-blockers.They can be used to treat high blood pressure and arrhythmia.High blood pressure and arrhythmia can be treated with calcium-channel blockers.Anticoagulants can be used to treat heart disease because they make the blood thinner and allow it to flow more easily.Anticoagulants can help prevent strokes.Take your medication the way it's supposed to be taken.If you stop taking a heart medication without consulting your doctor, it may make your condition worse.Some of the medications have side effects.If you experience any side effects from the drug you use to treat your heart disease, be sure to alert your physician.Do not use anti-arrhythmic drugs if you have questions about them, as they can have serious side effects.Some of these substances can interact unfavorably with heart disease medications, so check with a physician before taking additional medication or supplements.
Step 3: If it's necessary, get a pacemaker.
A pacemaker is a small device that is inserted into your heart to correct a number of heart problems.Ask your doctor what your maximum acceptable heart rate is before you get a pacemaker.The upper and lower heart rate is programmed.Your doctor recommends that you keep a record of your heart rate and monitor it as often as possible.Do not drink or eat before the surgery.Call your doctor if you detect a big down-tick in your heart rate.The batteries of your pacemaker may need to be replaced.Put no pressure on the area of your chest that has a pacemaker.
Step 4: If it's necessary, you should get an angioplasty or a stent.
There are several ways to open blocked arteries in the heart.Stents, small tubes which are used to open the arteries of the heart, can reduce the likelihood of heart disease symptoms like chest pain or heart attacks.Do not drink or eat the night before the procedure.You might have to stay overnight in the hospital if you have an angioplasty.Let your doctor know if you are taking any other drugs.The doctor will give you aspirin and relaxation medication.
Step 5: If you need a heart transplant, talk to your doctor.
It is possible to relieve your heart disease symptoms by having heart bypass surgery.Your blood will be diverted around the blocked arteries by a surgeon in order for your heart to get the blood it needs.You will need to remain under the care of the doctor in the hospital for three to five days after the procedure.
Step 6: Maybe you should have a heart transplant.
If your heart is damaged, you may need a heart transplant.A heart transplant is when you swap out your heart for another.New research shows that the mortality rate during heart transplants is 1%.You can get either an orthotopic or a Heterotopic transplant.The most common form of heart transplant is an orthotopic transplant.A new heart will be provided by a donor and inserted into your chest.A piggyback transplant leaves your heart in place but adds a second heart to the right side of your chest.This option makes the new heart act as a backup when something goes wrong.Your doctor will tell you which option is best.Recovery times can be different from patient to patient.
Step 7: It's a good idea to eat a healthy diet.
It is possible to reduce your risk of heart disease by eating healthy meals and snacks.Try to replace processed and junk foods with fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and foods high in fiber.skim milk replaces whole fat or 2% milk.If you want to get more calcium in your diet, eat oranges, edamame, or figs instead of dairy.Fried meat and fries can be replaced with baked or grilled versions.Try baked or grilled chicken instead of fried chicken.It's best to avoid non vegetarian foods.If you want to avoid fried potatoes, bake or grill them.High sugar intake increases your risk of heart disease.Limit your consumption of sweet goods to reduce your sugar intake.Artificial sweeteners are available for coffee and tea.Talk to your doctor about possible changes in your diet.
Step 8: Don't eat meat.
Saturated fat and carnitine are found in meat.Red meat is high in carnitine, which is found in other meats as well.Eating beans, tofu, or nuts at an appropriate level can provide you with all the calories you need.If you want to eliminate meat from your diet, go one day without it.If you can reduce your meat consumption by one day per week, then you should remove it from your meals two days a week.Continue to reduce your meat intake until you are at or below the recommended daily allowance for your age and weight.Those which have undergone freezing, curing, grinding, or mixing are particularly dangerous to heart health.The best way to reduce heart disease is to avoid hot dogs, bacon, and salami.
Step 9: Get active.
Being overweight increases your risk for heart disease.You should incorporate physical activity into your daily routine if you want to stay active.Walk or ride your bike.You can take the stairs instead of the elevator.It's important to remember that every bit of exercise counts.Make time to work out.Aim for an hour of exercise each day.Moderate-intensity workouts, such as lifting weights or jogging at a brisk pace, can be alternated between vigorous workouts like sprinting or pedaling your bike as fast as possible.To determine if you are overweight, calculate your body mass index.The CDC has a calculator that can be used to determine if you are within a healthy weight.
Step 10: When losing weight, stay focused.
Being overweight increases your risk of heart disease.Losing weight involves adjusting your diet and exercising, but you will need to stay on target to make your treatment last.When losing weight, be realistic.You are adjusting your diet.You should be able to lose a few pounds with regular exercise.Ask your doctor what a healthy weight-loss plan for someone of your age, sex, height, and weight looks like.Family and friends can help.Let them know that you're trying to reduce your risk of heart disease.When we share our goals with others, we are less likely to stray from the course we have decided on.Don't spend time with people who discourage you from treating your heart disease.If someone discourages you from changing your eating and weight habits because they think your heart disease is not a serious issue, tell them that you value their health more than they do.Reducing your risk of heart disease is worth it, no matter how hard it is, if someone tells you, "You will have a hard time not eating potato chips."
Step 11: Each night, get eight hours of sleep.
There are many obvious side effects of a lack of sleep, but there are also more serious threats to your heart's health.It is possible to reduce your risk of heart disease by getting enough sleep.You should aim for eight hours of sleep per night.At least three hours before you go to bed, turn off the television and computer.Your natural inclination to sleep at night can be disrupted by the light from these devices.It's easier to fall asleep when you set a regular bed time.You will be able to fall asleep more easily when you get used to the rhythm.
Step 12: It's in your life.
Stress isn't known to be a cause of heart disease, but it has been shown that stress can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.It is best to reduce the stress in order to avoid these activities.To laugh.When it comes to heart health, there is an old saying thatLaughter is the best medicine.People who laugh frequently are 40% less likely to develop heart disease.Laughter increases your good cholesterol.You can watch funny movies with a friend or learn some funny jokes with someone close to you.You should manage your time so that you don't rush to finish your work.If you have an exam in five days, don't wait until the night before to start studying.Take a few hours each day to study.To schedule time for studying, use a calendar.De-stressing techniques include yoga, meditation, and regular exercise.Even if you only have 20 to 30 minutes each day to read or listen to music, you can still make time for yourself by sitting in a quiet place.There are ways to show gratitude.You should spend time with people who care about you.They are in your life and you should let them know you appreciate them.Negative people make comments that are not nice.You should be generous with your time and energy.Give back to your community by volunteering at a soup kitchen, homeless shelter, or food bank.It feels good to do good.
Step 13: .
People who have never smoked are twice as likely to have a heart disease as smokers.Staying healthy is worth it even if you quit.Nicotine patches or gum can help with cigarette cravings.Don't replace smoking with another bad habit.When to stop smoking is up to you.You don't have to stop eating.Make a plan for how you will quit.For example, you might plan on cutting down to half a pack each day for two weeks, then halving your intake for the rest of the week, and so on.Second-hand smoke can be avoided as well.Try to find alternate lodging if you live with others who smoke.Don't hangout in bars or restaurants where smoking occurs.If smoking is difficult or impossible, invite your friends to engage in activities such as going to the movies or playing baseball.
Step 14: It's a good idea to reduce your alcohol intake.
You can increase your risk of heart disease by drinking more than a glass of beer or wine a day.Do it in moderation if you want to continue drinking.If you don't drink currently, a glass of wine each day could lower your risk of heart disease.If you drink frequently at dinner or after work, try to drink water or iced tea instead.
Step 15: There is a possibility that this is not the case.
Depression can increase the risk of heart disease.Depression is a state of being worried, pessimistic, guilty, sad, worthless, agitated, or suicidal.If you have feelings of depression, seek medical care immediately.In order to work through your specific symptoms and develop a more hopeful, positive outlook, you should consult your general doctor and a good therapist.Depression can be managed with prescription drugs.Talk about your depression with a trusted friend or family member.Share what you are going through with them.There is a plan for dealing with difficult situations.