Recently Diagnosed

If you or a loved one has recently been diagnosed with heart disease, you may be experiencing a range of emotions—from fear and loneliness to denial, frustration, uncertainty and anger. Remember, you’re not alone. Now that you know, it is important to educate yourself about the disease, work with a trusted heart health care team, and begin to make heart healthy lifestyle changes. You can then begin to get on with your normal activities of daily life.

 

Understanding Heart Disease

Heart disease affects the heart and the arteries within the heart. Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the most common type of heart disease and develops over many years. That’s why many women don’t realize their heart (and health) is in jeopardy until they experience symptoms, such as chest pain or heart attack.

 

CAD occurs when the arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle become hardened or narrowed due to a buildup of

cells, cholesterol (a fatty, wax-like substance) and fat along the inner walls of blood vessels (a process called artherosclerosis). This narrowing restricts or blocks blood flow to the heart, preventing oxygen and nutrients from getting to the heart, and may lead to heart attack or stroke.

 

Certain health behaviors or conditions called risk factors make a woman more likely to develop heart disease. It is important for you to know and be aware of risk factors that are a result of your age or family history. Other risk factors, such as are high cholesterol, abnormal blood pressure, and diabetes should be monitored and controlled for a better prognosis. Additionally, obesity, smoking tobacco and a sedentary lifestyle are also considered risk factors for heart disease

 

Risk factors that can be managed or minimized to improve your prognosis:

 

• High blood pressure (also called hypertension)
• High LDL, or “bad” cholesterol, high triglycerides and/or low HDL, or “good” cholesterol
• Obesity
• Physical inactivity
• Diabetes (or pre-diabetes)
• Smoking (by not smoking and avoiding second hand smoke)

 

Know Your Numbers: Blood Pressure, Cholesterol and Blood Sugar

If you have elevated levels of these measures, your doctor will want to work with you to lower these numbers to reduce your cardiovascular risk.

 

Despite the fact that heart disease means the arteries to your heart have been damaged, there are steps you can take to stop the disease from getting worse. You are in charge of your heart health. Simply put, it is your body, your heart and you have control over both!

 

The choices you make everyday can have a big impact on your risk of future heart problems. Talk with your health care team about how to best reduce or manage your risk factors.

 

Managing Heart Disease: Tips for Heart Healthy Living

As with other chronic diseases, heart disease requires lifelong management. Making heart healthy changes in your daily life remains the single most effective way to stop the disease from progressing. If you have already survived a heart attack, adopting better lifestyle habits can reduce the risk of another one.

 

Follow these life-saving heart health tips:

 

• Commit to eating a heart healthy diet. Eating a low-fat diet and watching your salt intake can help you manage heart disease. Load up on fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, fat-free or low-fat dairy products, fish, fiber and lean poultry and meat. Ask your health care team about the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet, one strategy for lowering high blood pressure.
• Step it up. Regular physical activity can do wonders for improving heart function, controlling your weight, lowering high blood pressure and cholesterol levels. It can also prevent depression and minimize stress. Thirty-minutes of moderate exercise daily is associated with lower death rates from heart disease. Go for a brisk walk, ride a bike, garden or swim. Before you get moving, talk with your doctor about what types and duration of exercise are best for you.

• Watch your weight. Excess body fat forces your heart to work harder and can worsen heart disease. Shedding even a small amount of weight can make a big difference. Losing weight may reduce cardiovascular risk by controlling high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol levels, and diabetes. The best way to lose weight is through a combination of diet and exercise.
• Stop smoking and avoid second hand smoke. Smoking can damage your heart and blood vessels. People who smoke also have a tendency towards blood clots and high blood pressure. Quitting dramatically cuts the risk to your heart, even within the first year.
• Reduce stress. Learn to recognize signs of stress in your life andpracticelowering stress levels with meditation, yoga, or rhythmic breathing. Regular exercise is a great stress buster too.

 

Making lifestyle changes isn’t easy. It requires discipline, patience and support from those around you.

 

Remember to:

• Set realistic goals and map out a plan that you can follow.
• Make one change at a time.
• Know there will be good days and bad, so don’t beat yourself up or overdo it.
• Share your goals with family and friends; they will support you.
• Seek out support groups to share tips and personal experiences with other women like you.

 

Treatment Considerations

New and improved drug therapies and surgical interventions, in combination with healthy lifestyle choices, mean that women with heart disease can live long and active lives.

 

Medication

If you have heart disease, you will likely be prescribed one or more medications. They are used to treat high blood cholesterol, high blood pressure or heart disease.

 

Learn about some of the most common drugs and their uses.

 

As with all medications, be sure to take them as directed and let your health care team know if you experience bothersome side effects.

 

Surgical procedures

If you have been diagnosed with advanced heart disease, you may need a procedure to open an artery to improve blood flow. Two common procedures are coronary angioplasty (balloon angioplasty) and coronary artery bypass graft (bypass surgery):

 

• Coronary angioplasty (balloon angioplasty) widens narrowed arteries when a balloon-tipped catheter is threaded through the arm or groin artery to the blocked artery in the heart. The balloon is inflated to unclog the artery, then deflated and removed. In the majority of cases your doctor is likely to insert a stent—a tiny metal scaffold—to prop the artery open so it doesn’t close again. Newer stents called drug-eluting stents are coated with medication that is slowly released into the coronary artery to keep plaque from reforming. Nearly 90 percent of coronary stent procedures now use this technology.
• Coronary artery bypass graft (bypass surgery) uses blood vessels often taken from the leg or chest to go around or “bypass” clogged coronary arteries so blood can flow through the new vessels to the heart. This is a more invasive procedure during which the chest is opened and the heart is temporarily stopped during the operation.

 

Cardiac Rehabilitation

If you have survived a heart attack or undergone a heart procedure, you will likely be referred to a cardiac rehabilitation program, designed to help patients recover and gain back physical strength and stamina. These programs typically include:

• Exercise training
• Information on diet and nutrition and a roadmap to managing your risk factors
• Counseling to reduce stress and help you return to an active life
• Support to cope with life adjustments that follow heart attack or surgery

 

The combination of treatments recommended by your heart team will depend on a number of factors, including:

• Age and lifestyle
• Type and severity of heart disease
• Co-existing health concerns, such as diabetes or high blood pressure

 

Partnering with Your Heart Health Team

Be an active partner in your health care. This will give you a greater sense of control over your condition, allow you to stay on top of your health and make informed decisions about your treatment and care.

 

Read here some helpful hints:

 

• Stay on top of routine and follow up appointments. Regular check-ups help your doctor monitor your heart health and detect signs of disease progression.
• Prepare for your doctor visits in advance. Write down your questions and concerns, any symptoms you are having and any changes in medications you are taking, including over-the-counter drugs, herbal and vitamin supplements.
• Work to reduce your risk factors. This will help prevent or delay future heart problems.
• Know your numbers. Keep track of your cholesterol, blood pressure and blood glucose levels through routine screenings or as recommended by your health team.
• Pay attention to your symptoms. If they become more frequent or severe, contact your doctor right away. If you think you are having a heart attack, call 9-1-1. Never drive yourself to the hospital; your symptoms could worsen while you are behind the wheel.
• Stick with your treatment plan. Follow your heart team’s recommendations and take medications as directed. If you experience side effects, tell your doctor. You may require a dose change or a medication change. Ask specifically for something to help relieve the side effects.
• Write down questions or concerns you have for your health care provider. Prioritize your questions and concerns. Be sure to take the list to the office or the clinic. Ask for clarification if you don’t understand something your doctor tells you.
• Bring a family member or friend with you. The stress of a medical visit sometimes makes it easy to miss important information. It is a good idea to bring a family member or trusted friend with you to your appointments. They can listen, help ask questions, take notes, and provide emotional support.

 

Read more tips and recommended questions to ask your provider.

 

Your Heart Health Team

There are a number of health care professionals involved with your heart care. These may include a:

 

• Cardiologist (heart specialist)
• Pulmonologist
• Primary care physician
• Nurse practitioner/cardiac rehab nurse
• Cardiac or other surgeon
• Nutritionist
• Social worker/psychologist

 

Remember, YOU are the central player in your heart health team.

 

Coping and Finding Support

Whether you just learned that you have heart disease, are recovering from a heart attack, or heard news that you have to undergo surgery, you may be feeling, isolated, depressed, or angry. Your mind is probably racing with questions. How will this change my life? What does this mean for my family? Will my health insurance cover what’s needed?

 

These are normal thoughts and reactions to this life-altering news. Many women experience fear and isolation following their diagnosis.

 

Try to stay positive and play an active role in your heart care. An optimistic attitude will help you through.

 

Talk openly with family members and friends, and let them know what they can do to help.

While it can be overwhelming to learn that you have heart disease, you are not the disease. Be sure to keep up with hobbies, family events and holidays.

 

Look for a WomenHeart support group nearby. Many women say the connections they make with other women living with heart disease help to reduce stress and empower them in their personal journey toward heart health. Consider joining a support group. Shared experiences of hope and survival can help you regain a sense of control, feel less alone, and find the strength to commit to lifestyle changes.

 

Depression is twice as common in women as men. If you feel sad for an extended period of time, ask for help. Learn more about the connection between heart disease and depression.

 

Additional Resources