Preventing a First or Subsequent Heart Attack

It is never too early to be concerned with heart health and taking deliberate steps to prevent a heart attack. Not all changes are easy, but Dr. Prerana Manohar and the staff of the Heart and Wellness Institute are a valuable support and can help guide you in making healthy lifestyle choices that can positively impact your health. Even if you have already had a heart attack, key measures can help prevent subsequent ones and help an already damaged heart function optimally.

 For those who have already suffered a heart attack, or those at risk, a cardiologist or heart doctor is likely to prescribe a drug therapy which may include:

• Blood thinning medications like aspirin
• Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors which make the blood flow more easily and reduce the risk of a second heart attack.
• Beta blockers are also used by heart doctors to lower the heart rate and blood pressure which reduces the demand on the heart.
• Cholesterol- lowering medications such as statins, niacin and fibrates may be prescribed by the cardiologist to help lower cholesterol levels.

Lifestyle choices are key in preventing a heart attack.

• Develop healthy eating habits. Your heart doctor can recommend a low fat, low salt diet
• If you are overweight, a plan for weight loss can be developed.
• Exercise.  Simply taking a brisk walk several times a week can help reduce your risk.  Speak to your cardiologist before embarking on a high intensity workout plan.
• Control your blood pressure if you have hypertension.
• Control your blood sugar if you suffer from diabetes.

Heart and Wellness Institute, Grand Rapids is dedicated to helping you live a happy and healthy life. If you have any questions about heart health or need a cardiologist, please feel free to contact us.