You can take steps to help prevent a heart attack or strengthen your heart after having one.
- Eat heart healthy, focusing on a diet that is rich with plant-based foods.
- Lose weight if you need to.
- Be physically active – talk with your health care team about the best program for you.
- Don't smoke. If you do, get support to quit. Ask about smoking cessation programs and treatment.
- Limit alcohol. If you do drink, men should consume no more than two drinks a day and women should have no more than one.
- Ask if you qualify for cardiac rehabilitation.
- Keep other conditions that make a heart attack more likely in check – for example, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and poorly controlled diabetes.
- Reduce stress.
- Keep up with health visits and pay attention to your body and how you feel. Talk with your care team about any issues or concerns with your medications.