Maintaining a healthy lifestyle after a heart attack
After your heart attack, you may fear that you will experience another one and want to change your lifestyle in order to improve your health. One of the best ways to survive after a heart attack is to eat better foods. Cut back on greasy foods, junk food and dishes that are high in sodium. Increase your intake of whole grains, water, fruits and vegetables and healthy meats such as chicken and turkey.
Exercise often
Exercise can reduce your bad cholesterol and it helps with weight loss if obesity was a factor in your heart attack. You can go beyond aerobics and pilates for your workout routine. Brisk walking for 30 minutes a day is a relaxing way to exercise. Other good forms of exercise include bike riding, swimming, dancing, playing sports and jumping rope.
Cut out the smoking
Smoking is another risk factor in heart attacks and if you recently suffered one, it is important to stop smoking. Speak to a counselor if you struggle to quit smoking and inquire about products that can help curb your craving for cigarettes.
Find some stress relief activities
Since too much stress puts a strain on your heart's health, you can look for ways to get stress relief. Eliminate relationships that are causing you anger frequently and spend time in meditation. Call friends when you are feeling low and read inspirational material to motivate you in difficult times. By doing this you reduce chances of getting a second heart attack.
Visit the cardiologist regularly
Regular doctor's visits are important after a heart attack because the doctor can examine symptoms you currently have to see if you are at risk for another heart attack. The doctor can also offer advice on eating the right foods and possibly prescribe medication that will keep your cholesterol low.
Take vitamins
Vitamins can help your healthy become healthy again after a heart attack. Vitamins B6 and B12 are especially helpful in reducing clogged arteries. Also get your vitamin intake from eating fruits and vegetables on a daily basis.
Take care of your emotional health
Surviving a heart attack can take a toll on you emotionally so you should get counseling to discuss the fears and frustrations. This helps you put the past behind you and build a brighter future. It also helps to write a diary of your feelings each day. Join a support group for those who suffered heart attacks and exchange contact information.
Educate yourself on heart attack prevention
Medical studies come out frequently about heart attack prevention and you want to educate yourself so that you will know which symptoms to look out for. Academic health publications, online articles from hospitals and books are all great sources of research.
Get adequate sleep at night
Excess sleep deprivation has a negative effect on your heart health. In a 2008 report from the University of Chicago, researchers noticed a link between a lack of quality sleep and coronary heart disease. This study also concluded that sleep deprivation increased chances of hypertension.
