Living with a heart condition
Living with a heart condition
Understanding your condition and making healthy lifestyle changes can improve your
heart health
. Keeping your heart healthy lowers your chances of having heart problems in the future.
Participate in cardiac rehabilitation
Cardiac rehabilitation (or cardiac rehab) is a program of support, exercise and education that is led by health professionals to strengthen your heart.
Cardiac rehab gives you information, support and advice to help you recover after a
heart attack
,
surgery
or procedure. If you have had a heart attack, attending cardiac rehab can reduce the risk of having another heart attack. People who have been diagnosed with a
heart condition
, like heart failure, can also benefit from cardiac rehab. You will learn more about long-term lifestyle changes to help you live well with your heart condition.
Speak to your doctor to find out more about a local cardiac rehab program tailored to your needs. You can also visit the
Heart Foundation’s Cardiac Services
Directory
External Link
to search for your closest cardiac rehab program.
Cardiac rehab is recommended for people who have had:
coronary heart
disease
External Link
, such as heart attack or
angina
or
heart failure
a heart procedure or surgery, such as coronary artery bypass graft surgery, coronary angioplasty and/or stenting, or valve replacement
a device insertion, such as a pacemaker or implantable cardioverter defibrillator
heart failure
abnormal heart rhythms, such as
atrial fibrillation
a cardiac arrest.
Through a cardiac rehab program, you will be supported to:
return to your activities that you enjoy
improve your
physical activity
and fitness levels
manage your medicines
manage other health conditions, such as
high blood pressure
,
high cholesterol
and
diabetes
recognise the warning signs of a
heart attack
and what to do in an emergency
make healthy lifestyle choices, such as following a heart-heathy eating pattern, drinking less
alcohol
, being
physically active
and
quitting smoking
manage
stress
,
anxiety
and
depression
return to driving, returning to work and going on holidays.
Taking your medicines
Most people who have had a heart attack or have been diagnosed with a heart condition will be prescribed medicines to protect their heart and lower the risk of future heart problems.
It’s important to know which heart medicines you are taking, what they are for and the possible side effects to look out for. For more information about your heart medicines, speak to your doctor or pharmacist.
Remember:
Always take your medicines as prescribed by your doctor, even if you feel well.
Speak to your doctor or
pharmacist
before you stop taking your medicines or change the dose.
Check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any over-the -counter medicines (e.g. cold and flu medicines, pain medicines, supplements) as they can interact with heart medicines.
Make lifestyle changes for a healthier heart
A heart-healthy lifestyle has significant benefits for your physical and mental wellbeing. It can help you to manage your
blood pressure
and
cholesterol
levels
External Link
.
Following a heart-healthy eating pattern, drinking less alcohol, moving more and quitting smoking are all important parts of living well with a heart condition.
Follow a heart-healthy eating pattern
The Heart Foundation recommends following a heart-healthy eating pattern that doesn’t focus on one type of food or nutrient, but rather on what you eat over days, weeks and months.
A heart-healthy eating pattern includes:
plenty of
vegetables
,
fruit
and wholegrains
a variety of healthy protein-rich foods especially
fish
and seafood, legumes (such as beans and lentils),
nuts and seeds
.
Eggs and poultry can also be enjoyed as part a heart-healthy eating pattern. If you eat red meat, choose lean cuts and limit to one to three times per week
unflavoured
milk
, yoghurt and cheese. People with high cholesterol or heart disease should choose reduced fat varieties
healthy fats and oils. Choose nuts, seeds, avocados, olives and their oils for cooking
herbs and spices to flavour foods, instead of adding
salt
.
This way of eating is naturally low in unhealthy fats, salt and added sugar. It’s rich in wholegrains, fibre, antioxidants and healthy fats.
Check out the
Heart Foundation
website
External Link
for a range of resources to help you follow a heart-healthy eating pattern.
For dietary, you can also speak to an
Accredited Practising
Dietitian
External Link
.
Drink less alcohol
Alcohol
is not a necessary or recommended part of a heart-healthy eating pattern. If you don’t drink alcohol, don’t start.
If you do drink alcohol, the Heart Foundation recommends following the National Health and Medical Research Council’s (NHMRC) recommended levels of alcohol consumption:
Healthy men and women should drink no more than 10 standard drinks per week and no more than four standard drinks on any one day.
Children and young people under 18 years of age
should not drink alcohol.
To reduce the risk of harm to their unborn child, women who are
pregnant or planning a pregnancy
should not drink alcohol. For women who are breastfeeding, not drinking alcohol is safest for their baby.
For people with heart disease and related conditions or risk factors, the evidence is not strong enough to recommend a safe amount of alcohol consumption for heart health.
For some people, the safest option is to not drink alcohol at all.
Speak to your doctor for advice and support to cut down on alcohol.
Healthy physical activities
Talk to your doctor or cardiac rehab team about how to build physical activity into your life if you have a heart condition or recently had after a heart attack or surgery attack.
Getting involved with a Heart Foundation Walking group is a fun and social way to be active. You can also register for a free Personal Walking Plan that can help you be more active, healthier and happier in just six weeks! Visit
Heart Foundation
Walking
External Link
for more information.
Quit smoking
Tobacco smoking is a major cause of heart and blood vessel disease. If you’re recovering from a heart attack, quitting smoking can reduce your risk of another heart attack. Quitting smoking and avoiding second-hand smoke is important for a healthy life and to reduce your risk of a heart event.
Exposure to second-hand smoke (passive smoking) is a serious health hazard for both people who smoke and non-smokers. Quitting smoking and limiting exposure to second-hand smoke can protect yourself and your loved ones from the harmful effects of tobacco smoke.
The most effective way to stop smoking is with a combination of support from
Quitline
External Link
(Tel.
13 78 48
) and stop-smoking medicines such as nicotine replacement therapy.
If you are ready to quit smoking or thinking about quitting smoking, talk to your doctor about ways to help youstop.. You can also call the
Quitline
External Link
on Tel.
13 78 48
.
Look after your mental health
If you have been diagnosed with a heart condition or recently had a heart attack, it’s normal to feel sad, angry, anxious, lonely or confused. These feelings are usually short-term and will improve with time as you adjust to living with a heart condition.
It’s important to know you’re not alone and that there are many resources available to support you in looking after your emotional and mental wellbeing.
If you are worried about your thoughts or how you are feeling, tell someone and seek help. This could be your
doctor
, another health professional, family member or a friend.
You can also get more information and support from
Beyond
Blue
External Link
.
Where to get help
Your
GP (doctor)
In an emergency, always call triple zero (000)
Emergency department of your nearest hospital
NURSE-ON-CALL
External Link
Tel.
1300 60 60 24
– for expert health information and advice (24 hours, 7 days)
Heart
Foundation
External Link
Quitline
External Link
Tel.
13 78 48
Beyond
Blue
External Link
. Tel.
1300 22 4636
Dietitians
Australia
External Link
Tel.
1800 812 942
or find a dietitian
Australian Centre for Heart
Health
External Link
Tel.
03 9326 8544