Coronary Heart Disease Living With

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It is important to get routine medical care and take all medicines regularly, as prescribed, as part of your treatment plan:

• Follow your healthcare provider’s directions, and do not change the amount of your medicine or skip a dose unless your provider tells you to.
• Talk to your provider about how often to schedule office visits and blood tests.
• Call your provider if you have any new symptoms, if your symptoms worsen, or if you have problems with your blood pressure or blood sugar.

You may be referred for exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation to manage symptoms and reduce the chances of future problems such as heart attack. Studies have shown that cardiac rehabilitation lowers the risk of hospitalization and death. It can also improve your quality of life.

Your healthcare provider will work with you to manage medical conditions that can raise your risk of heart problems and complications:

• Your provider may suggest heart-healthy lifestyle changes to lower your chances for serious heart disease. Heart-healthy lifestyle changes include choosing heart-healthy foods, being physically active, quitting smoking, getting enough good-quality sleep, aiming for a healthy weight, getting your blood pressure and cholesterol checked, and managing your blood sugar. Your provider can help you set up a personal plan to meet your health goals. You may also be referred to other professionals, such as a registered dietitian or an exercise physiologist.
• You may be given a statin to lower your  LDL cholesterol , especially after a heart attack. Learn how to take statins safely.
• You may need aspirin to prevent a heart attack or stroke. Low-dose aspirin may help prevent a  blood clot  and lower the risk for heart attacks and other complications of coronary heart disease for some people, especially those with microvascular disease or diabetes. Talk to your provider before taking aspirin, because it raises the risk of serious bleeding.
• If you have diabetes, you will need to check your blood sugar regularly and keep taking any prescribed medicines.
• If your coronary heart disease has led to a sudden cardiac arrest, your provider may recommend a defibrillator to detect and treat certain types of irregular heartbeats, or arrhythmias.

Living with heart disease may cause fear, anxiety, depression, and stress. You may worry about having heart problems or making lifestyle changes that are necessary for your health. Talk with your healthcare provider about how you feel, and consider seeking other types of support:

• Talk to a professional counselor. If you have depression or anxiety, you may also need medicines or other treatments that can improve your quality of life.
• Join a patient support group. This may help you adjust to living with heart disease. You can find out how other people manage similar symptoms. Your provider may be able to recommend local support groups, or you can check with an area medical center.
• Seek support from family and friends. Letting your loved ones know how you feel and what they can do to help you can help relieve stress and anxiety.

If your heart condition or other another serious health problem does not respond to treatments,  palliative care  or  hospice  care may improve your  quality of life  and make you more comfortable. This care plan manages your symptoms to avoid unnecessary tests or treatments and provides support to you and your loved ones. It can also be an important way to let loved ones and care providers know what to do if you are not able to make treatment decisions for yourself.

Serious problems from coronary heart disease can be life-threatening and may lead to disability:

• Acute coronary syndrome, including chest pain or heart attack
• Arrhythmia
• Cardiac arrest
• Cardiogenic shock
• Heart failure

FACT SHEET

Heart Smart Basics: What to Know to Keep Yours Healthy

Learn key heart-related terms and questions to ask your healthcare provider.

View the fact sheet