Steps on preventing a second heart attack

Steps on preventing a second heart attack

Experiencing a heart attack the first time is scary enough.  The pain, shortness of breath, the terrifying uncertainty of “is this it?”  It’s bad enough going through one heart attack but the thought of going through a second one can provoke tremendous anxiety and fear. Recovering from a heart attack can be a long process having lasting effects on your lifestyle and overall well-being. While it is true that having had a heart attack does increase your risk of having another one, there are ways to reduce this risk.

One important thing to know is that you are not alone in your concerns and worry about a second heart attack.  Approximately every 40 seconds, an American will have a heart attack. To understand how to prevent a second heart attack, it is important to understand why the first heart attack occurred and what heart disease is.

What is heart disease?

The beginnings of heart disease start with the inflammatory process within the arteries called atherosclerosis.  Atherosclerosis clogs arteries and can develop in any artery in the body.  The material clogging the arteries is commonly referred to as plaque, a mixture of cholesterol, fatty substances, calcium and fibrin (a clotting material in the blood).   Plaque causes the inner walls of the arteries to balloon and swell to accommodate the space that plaque occupies. When small blood clots form near the plaque, this becomes critical as that can completely choke blood flow to vital organs such as the heart.

In most cases, it is the sudden rupture of the weakened area (plaque) that triggers blood clots and stops blood flow, causing an interruption in the supply of nutrients and oxygen to the organ involved such as the heart or brain.  Depending on which cells and tissues die, the result could be a heart attack, stroke, or other circulatory problem.

Risk factors of heart disease

To know how to prevent heart disease, you need to know the risk factors or what can increase your likelihood of having a heart attack.  These risk factors include the following:

·      High levels of bad cholesterol or low-density lipoprotein (LDL)

The higher the number, the more plaque you are likely to have and the more damaged your artery walls become.

·      High blood glucose or a high HgA1C number

Blood vessels of all types and sizes get damaged from high glucose. High glucose over time also causes damage to nerves throughout the body. This sugary sweet, thick blood from high glucose sticks to the sides of veins and arteries, causing atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries. No blood vessel is left unscathed. The blood vessels in the tips of your fingers and toes are affected, as are the larger vessels throughout the body, and vessels within organs, including the heart. Eventually, this causes problems with the organs, and they are compromised. The end result is organ and circulatory problems that can lead to organ failure, and death.   

·      Hypertension

High blood pressure causes the coronary arteries leading to the heart to slowly become narrowed from a buildup of fat, cholesterol, and other substances which form plaque.  As arteries harden with plaque, blood clots become more likely to form.   

·      Smoking

Smoking damages the lining of your arteries, leading to a buildup of fatty material which narrows the arteries.  The carbon monoxide in tobacco smoke also reduces the amount of oxygen in your blood. 

How to prevent a second heart attack

After a first heart attack, the single most important thing you will need to do is make significant lifestyle changes.  A healthy lifestyle is more important than ever and if no changes are made, you are likely to be facing another heart attack sometime in your future. 

Here are steps you need to take to prevent a second heart attack from happening.  Always discuss with your cardiologist recommendations they may have and what timeframe is best for you to work on achieving these goals:

·      Healthy eating – Reduce intake of saturated and trans fat foods such as cookies, French fries, doughnuts, and processed meats. Begin eating more plant-based foods such as fruits, vegetables, beans, lentils, whole grains, and nuts.

·      Become more active – When your doctor gives you the green light for physical activity, follow their advice on slowly adding in exercise.  Exercise not only strengthens your heart muscle but it also reduces your risk of other heart problems by lowering cholesterol, manage blood glucose, increases energy, manages weight, and improves your long-term health.

·      Reach a healthy weight – Ask your doctor if they recommend you lose weight or not.  Being overweight raises the risk of a heart attack.  Strive to have a body mass index (BMI) between 18.5 and 24.9.

·      Quit smoking – Just by stopping smoking you will cut your risk of having a second heart attack by 50%.

·      Manage stress and depression – It is common to struggle with various emotions after having had a heart attack - worry, sadness, depression. Do not ignore these feelings or try to hide them.  Talk to your doctor if feelings of sadness and depression last more than two weeks.

·      Take prescribed medication – To prevent a second heart attack, any medication you have been prescribed, is necessary to take. If you are experiencing side effects, cost is a concern or any other worries, discuss these matters with your doctor. 

·      Do cardiac rehabilitation – It is very common for anyone who has had a heart attack to be encouraged to do a cardiac rehabilitation program. This important part of your recovery can help prevent perhaps a more serious second heart attack.  Cardiac rehab includes advice on physical activity, education about healthy living, and counseling to help find ways to relieve stress and improve mental health.  These rehabilitation programs include a team of health professionals such as your doctor, physical therapists, dietitians, pharmacists, and mental health counselors.