What medications and lifestyle changes are prescribed after a heart procedure?
Before leaving the hospital after a heart attack or heart procedure, your doctor will discuss with you how to reduce and control your heart disease risk factors. You will receive prescriptions for several medications (if you're not already taking them) such as aspirin to help prevent blood clots from forming, and a cholesterol-lowering medication (usually a statin) to lower your LDL (bad) cholesterol. You will also need to make certain lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking, eating healthier, and exercising regularly. Your healthcare provider may recommend cardiac rehabilitation, a program that includes structured and monitored exercise. All of these medications and lifestyle changes will lower your risk of having another heart attack and prevent your heart disease from becoming worse. Research studies suggest that these medications are underprescribed, particularly in women and elderly patients.1
How do women fare after a heart attack?
After having a first heart attack at age 40 or older, 23% of women die within one year compared with 18% of men.2 Within 5 years, death rates jump to 43% of women and 33% of men.2 Despite these statistics, many women who have had a heart attack or heart procedure do not take their prescribed medications or make the necessary lifestyle changes. Some people stop taking their medications because they feel better; others may experience side effects. It is very important that you talk to your healthcare provider before stopping any medication. You may be able to take a different dose of medication or one with fewer side effects. You may not have the information you need to make some lifestyle changes such as eating healthier. Strategies that help you commit to making healthy lifestyle changes include:3
- A signed contract between you and your healthcare provider
- Learning more about your disease (e.g., dietary advice or quitting smoking aids)
- Keeping a written log of your progress (e.g., weight loss, cholesterol levels)
- Involving your spouse, or friends and family
- Signing up for telephone or mail follow-up (e.g., reminders about medication refills)
Should my family members learn cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)?
The rate of sudden death is much higher in people who have had a heart attack that for the general population,2 so you and your family members may be advised to learn CPR. It's also important that everyone learns to recognize the signs and symptoms of a heart attack of a heart attack; these include chest pain, shortness of breath, indigestion, nausea, and pain in the back, neck, or jaw. You also need to know what to do if these symptoms arise.
