CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE

CARDIOLOGY
Risk Factors for Coronary Heart Disease

The controllable risk factors for coronary heart disease are listed below. There are some risk factors that you cannot change, such as older age or a family history of heart disease. You can change or control the ones listed below. Cardiac rehabilitation can help you do this.
• Smoking
• High blood pressure
• High blood cholesterol.
• Inactive lifestyle
• Overweight
• Diabetes

How can I get the most out of it?
Research shows that controlling your risk factors for heart disease can help you lead a healthier life.
• Communicate. Ask questions. If you don't understand the answers, keep
  asking until you do. Report changes in your feelings or symptoms.
• Take charge of your recovery. No one else can do it for you. Your new
   lifestyle is healthy for your heart, so stick with it - for life.

You may want to have a special diary or calendar just for your rehabilitation.
Keep important information, such as appointment times, telephone numbers, etc, where you can find it. If you feel you may be melancholy or depressed, tell your doctor. Some times people who have big changes in their lives feel depressed.

To be an active member of your cardiac rehabilitation team:
• Learn about your heart condition.
• Learn what you can do to help your heart.
• Follow the treatment plan.
• Feel free to ask questions.
• Report symptoms or problems.

A support network can help you. Your support network may be family or friends. Family members and friends can make a difference. They may want to learn more about heart problems so their help can be even more valuable. For example, family members may have to learn to let you do things for yourself, or they may want to learn about preparing heart healthy meals. Your family and friends can give you emotional support as you adjust to a new, healthier lifestyle. You may also want the support of other people who have heart disease.

What's in it for Me?
The goals of cardiac rehabilitation are different for each patient. To help you to set your personal goals, your cardiac rehabilitation team will look at your general health, your personal heart problem, your risks for future heart problems, your doctor's recommendations, and, of course, your own preferences. Cardiac rehabilitation may reduce your symptoms and your chances of having more heart problems. It has many other benefits.

• Exercise tones your muscles and improves your energy levels and spirits. It
  helps both your heart and your body to be stronger and to work better.
• Cardiac rehabilitation may also get you back to work and other activities faster.
• A healthy diet may lower blood cholesterol, control weight, and help prevent or
  control high blood pressure and other problems such as diabetes. Plus, you
  will feel better and have more energy.
• Cardiac rehabilitation may help you quit smoking. Giving up smoking means
  less risk of lung cancer, emphysema and bronchitis, as well as less risk of
  heart attack, stroke, and other heart and blood vessel problems. It means
  more energy, and it means better health for your loved ones.
• Cardiac rehabilitation may help you psychologically and emotionally. It can
  improve your confidence and help you plan and deal with any uncertainty and
  fears about the future.

RELATED LINKS

 Heart Attack, Stroke &
    Cardiac Arrest Warning
    Signs

  Diseases and Condition

  Cardiac Surgery

  Critical Cardiac Surgeries

  Cardial Rehabilitation

  Risk Factors for Coronary
    Heart Disease

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