QUESTION: A recent heart attack has me very worried about having another, and I want to do all that is necessary to prevent that from happening.
My problem is that some of the advice I am getting from my doctors seems almost impossible to carry out, since it involves changing so many of the things I was doing before.
Isn't there any simpler way to prevent heart attacks, a pill or something that is a bit "easier to swallow"?
ANSWER: I wish there was some simple way to prevent heart attacks, or for that matter, any disease or condition.
My problem is that I try to address these situations with only the knowledge gained from science, not mere wishful thinking.
It may make my answer a bit harder "to swallow," but at least you know where I am coming from.
Your doctors are probably telling you that a variety of life style changes are effective in reducing the chance of a recurrence of your heart attack.
They include giving up tobacco, lowering your blood pressure, losing those extra pounds, changing your eating habits to lower your cholesterol and decreasing the ratio of total cholesterol to the "good" high-density lipoprotein in your blood, controlling stress, and finally, increasing your level of physical activity by starting an exercise program.
The evidence that reduction of such risk factors will reduce the chances of another attack, as well as the possibility of stroke or other cardiovascular disease, is quite clear.
The problem is developing these actions into a program that you, as the patient, can accept and carry out. That means a bit of work on your part, that can be a bit easier if you will develop the necessary attitudes, and understand the reasons for each bit of advice.
Once you truly believe that the change in behavior will have a positive result for you, you must make a conscious decision to adopt that change and carry it through.
When temptation comes knocking on your door, remember the importance of your newly adopted actions and resist.
While your physicians may counsel and advise you, and prescribe any medication necessary, the responsibility for life style changes must be yours.
I would be the last to tell you that this is all easy, but the importance of such actions is enormous.
It all becomes a bit clearer and simpler when you take a long hard look at the alternative.
The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace the counsel and advice of your personal physician.
Promptly consulting your doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical problem.
