If you’ve had a heart attack or have been diagnosed with a heart condition or some other type of cardiovascular disease, you probably have a lot of questions. You may be worried about the impact of heart disease on your life and whether the complications of heart disease will affect you. The good news is, having a normal life with heart disease is entirely possible. Consider some tips on living with heart disease.
What Is Heart Disease?
The word “heart disease” refers to several heart problems, including coronary artery disease (CAD). CAD impairs blood flow to the heart and is the most prevalent heart disease in the United States.
How To Live With Heart Disease
Follow the care plan provided by your health care team. There are some common sense things to keep in mind, too.
Blood Pressure Monitoring. Your doctor may want you to monitor your blood pressure at home. That will mean you need either a manual or an automated blood pressure monitor.
Change Your Diet
Poor diet is one of the driving factors behind heart disease, and living with heart disease means ditching unhealthy foods and eating patterns. An excellent place to start is to commit to whole foods and avoid anything processed.
Get Active
A sedentary life is one of the many risk factors for heart disease, and regular exercise is vital to a healthy cardiovascular system. Talk to your doctor about what kind of exercise is right for you and how much you should do. Even something as simple as using resistance bands at home can help.
Lose Weight
Extra weight means extra strain on your heart. Being overweight can also cause sleep apnea, increasing your risk of various cardiovascular problems, including heart failure. Your doctor may even recommend a meal replacement and increased fiber to help get you there.
Lower Your Stress Level
Chronic mental stress puts a strain on your cardiovascular system. Stress reduction techniques such as mindfulness meditation can help lower stress levels and benefit your heart and mind.
Talk to Your Doctor About Cardiac Rehabilitation
Cardiac rehabilitation programs can make living with many types of cardiovascular disease easier. You may need rehabilitation if you have:
- Had a heart attack
- Angina
- Coronary artery disease
- Heart failure
- Had heart surgery
- Had a procedure such as stenting or angioplasty
Talk to your doctor about whether a cardiac rehabilitation program might benefit you.
Ask for Support When You Need It
Living with any chronic condition or condition which has seriously impacted your life (such as having a heart attack) can be stressful. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed and vulnerable — but you don’t have to do it alone. Look for a support group to join, where you can connect with other people in your situation. Seek out programs that can help you with the more challenging aspects of changing your life, such as losing weight or reducing stress. Your doctor or your local hospital or heart center may be able to point you in the right direction. But most of all, have faith in yourself. You can go through this and out the other side a healthier person.