Are you a baby boomer who has had a heart attack?
You may be wondering what to do now that you’ve had your first heart attack. It can be hard to know where to start, but we have some great tips for you! We want to help you get back on track and live the life of your dreams.
Our goal is simple – we want every single person who has been through this experience to feel empowered and confident in their ability to take control of their health and live the best life possible. We believe in empowering people with knowledge so they can make better decisions about their health care needs. That’s why we created these resources just for baby boomers like yourself!
1. Drink plenty of fluids to keep your blood pressure normal.
Some people have to limit how much fluid they drink because of kidney problems or heart failure. If you’re one of these people, ask your doctor about what fluids are safe for you and which ones will raise your blood pressure too much (such as coffee or tea). And be sure to make regular trips to the bathroom if you’re taking water pills and replenish lost fluids to prevent dehydration.
2. Get at least 30 minutes of exercise every day by walking or doing some other form of light exercise.
Exercise is one of the most important things you can do to protect your heart. But get the right kind! A study from Johns Hopkins found a 20% higher risk of death among people who take part in high intensity exercise compared to those with low intensity exercise. Moderate intensity is the best way to prevent heart disease and other health conditions like diabetes as well. And resist the urge to overdo it – if you’re doing vigorous activity for more than an hour, it may be hard for your body to recover, putting you at risk for another heart attack or sudden cardiac arrest.
If you have to limit your exercise because of heart failure or other health problems, just do what you can! Even a few minutes of walking each day will help keep your body healthy and strong. And even if you’re not active at the moment, try to get as much rest as possible so your heart stays strong and protected (your heart works hard all day long!). You don’t need a special apparatus like an elliptical machine or treadmill to start exercising – just walk around your home for 10-15 minutes every day. It doesn’t matter how slow or fast you go – just move around!
3. If you smoke, stop smoking now!
Smoking increases the risk for a heart attack, heart failure, and many other deadly health conditions. Even if you’ve tried to quit before, it can take several tries before you succeed. But the more times you try, the easier it gets! Don’t get discouraged if you slip up a few times. Just keep trying! Your heart will thank you for it someday.
5. Eat less salt because high sodium intake can increase blood pressure and lead to an increased risk for heart disease.
Sodium is the main ingredient in salt, so try to limit how much processed or packaged food you eat. These foods are usually high in sodium and sometimes even include hidden salt disguised under different names on the label. If it has more than a few ingredients, put it back on the shelf because this often means there’s added salt in the recipe! Your best bet is to stick with fresh fruits and veggies whenever possible. And if you do eat packaged foods or pick up something from a fast food restaurant, be sure to read labels carefully and choose low sodium options!
6. Eat more foods with omega 3 fatty acids, such as salmon and tuna.
Omega 3s have been shown to protect against heart rhythm problems and reduce the risk of death from a repeat heart attack. But it’s important to know that some sources are better than others. There’s a lot of conflicting information out there about which seafood is most beneficial for your health, so we recommend you talk with your general practitioner before making changes to your diet.
Taking a fish oil supplement is one of the easiest ways to make sure you’re getting enough omega-3 fatty acids. When shopping for an omega 3 supplement, make sure to read the nutrition labels carefully. Many people believe that taking a fish oil supplement is enough, but it’s important to look at the ratio of EPA/DHA in the product (EPA and DHA are two key components found in omega-3 supplements). What matters most is not how much total omega 3 you get, but how much of the key components EPA and DHA you get. You may CLICK HERE to learn more about the safest, most potent, and purest omega 3 supplement in the market today which is by far better than fish oil.
If you know someone recovering from a heart attack, these six tips will help them live healthier than ever before! It’s important for us not just to take care of ourselves but also each other in times like these. We hope that this blog post has helped ease some anxiety for those living with or caring for someone experiencing recovery from a heart attack–as well as helping promote cardiovascular wellness overall!
