With a little know-how and dedication, you can live your best life with heart disease.
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), heart disease is a significant problem in the United States. It affects more than 20 million adults over the age of 20 and results in nearly 700,000 deaths annually.
Given the high incidence of heart disease, it is no wonder that many patients have questions about living with heart disease. The good news is that the primary risk factors for heart disease—high blood pressure, elevated blood cholesterol levels and cigarette smoking—are all modifiable, meaning patients can make lifestyle changes that limit or reduce their risk of complications from heart disease.
To live your best life with heart disease, you need to do the following:
- Eat a well-balanced diet
- Get a moderate amount of exercise
- Avoid smoking cigarettes
- Take your prescribed medications
Eat a Well-Balanced Diet
According to a 2021 study in the journal Heart, Lung and Circulation, the best diet for people with heart disease is one high in fruits, vegetables and whole grains, like the Mediterranean diet or a plant-based diet. You should only consume alcohol, processed meats, refined carbohydrates and beverages with added sugar, like soda or fruit juice drinks, in moderation.
In addition, eating three to five servings of fruits and vegetables daily and limiting the intake of foods high in trans fatty acids helps lower cholesterol levels and maintain healthy blood pressure. A healthy diet is the most important lifestyle factor for limiting the risk of heart disease complications.
Get a Moderate Amount of Exercise
A 2018 study in the American College of Cardiology journal highlights the importance of exercise in patients with heart disease. According to the research, sustained physical activity was associated with higher survival rates in patients with coronary artery disease, the most prevalent form of heart disease.
Although patients should not start an exercise program without consulting their health care provider, the importance of moderate exercise can not be overstated. Exercising helps maintain a healthy weight, lowers blood pressure and releases endorphins that elevate your mood.
Any activity, no matter how little, is better than no activity.
Avoid Cigarette Smoking
Smoking cigarettes is unhealthy for several reasons, but it is vital for patients with heart disease to avoid smoking. Chemicals in cigarettes cause inflammation and damage to the cells that line blood vessels. That leads to increased clot formation, narrowed vessels and decreased delivery of oxygen to target tissue. According to the CDC, smoking is the direct cause of one of every four heart disease deaths.
Take Prescribed Medications
Most patients with heart disease are prescribed medications to improve their cardiac function and lower their blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Patients need to take their prescribed medications. Missing doses can result in complications or even death. If patients cannot afford their medications, resources are available to help them.
According to the CDC, heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States. Patients diagnosed with heart disease, even in the early stages, must take the diagnosis seriously and take steps to limit the progression of the disease. Medications alone will not protect patients from developing worsening heart disease. Lifestyle modifications like eating a balanced diet, getting moderate exercise and not smoking will help patients with heart disease live longer, healthier lives.
More to Read
- How to Quit Smoking and Reduce Your Risk of Lung Cancer
- How to Eat a Plant-Based Diet
- It’s Time to Get Moving: How to Exercise for Heart Health
- 9 Easy Ways to Fit Exercise Into Your Life
Medically reviewed by Dipan Desai, MD.
