Being diagnosed with ischemic heart disease often leads people to wonder just how their lives will change. While it is true that people with this condition must make many adjustments to preserve their heart health and prevent more serious effects from occurring, these adjustments are more than worth it when you consider the outcome. The following are a few ways that heart disease may impact a person’s daily life.
A healthy lifestyle is key when a person experiences heart disease. Proper diet and exercise can prevent further damage, while also supporting optimal general health. Avoid salty foods and saturated fat in favour of foods like fruit, vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains, and low-fat dairy. As for exercise, aim for at least 150 minutes of activity per week, provided that your doctor deems you healthy enough for that level of activity.
Additionally, people with heart disease must avoid unhealthy habits. This includes smoking and alcohol consumption, as both can take a toll on your heart health. Similarly, try to keep stress to a minimum day-to-day, as chronic stress increases the risk of serious heart problems.
People with ischemic heart disease are often prescribed medication to manage the condition. This medication must be taken according to your doctor’s instructions to ensure it is effective. Additionally, you must also attend follow-up visits as needed. Follow-up visits assess your heart health, but they also provide an opportunity to ask questions and raise concerns about medication side effects and other issues.
Cardiac rehabilitation plays a big role in adapting to the healthy lifestyle so important for people with ischemic heart disease. These programs provide individualized exercise and activity regimens tailored to people with heart issues. In some cases, cardiac rehabilitation takes place in a clinic. In others, people may visit a rehab centre situated inside a hospital. Patients will also receive information on the importance of a heart healthy diet, as well as learning about which habits to avoid.