around 790,000 heart attacks each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. If you’re a part of that statistic, our team at AFC Urgent Care TN wants to offer some tips on keeping your heart healthy after a heart attack. Maintaining a Healthy Heart While suffering from a heart attack can put you at an increased risk of experiencing a second heart attack in the future, there are many steps you can take to help protect your heart. For starters, if you were (or are) a smoker, quit smoking. Smoking wreaks havoc on the entire body, including the heart and its arteries. In fact, quitting smoking is one of the single biggest ways you can prevent heart disease and heart attacks. While some people are able to quit smoking cold turkey, others need the assistance of cessation plans or prescribed medications to help. Talk with your doctor about the strategy that will work best for you and your health. Second, watch your blood pressure level. Your blood pressure should remain around 120⁄80 mmHg or less to be considered in a normal, healthy range. But if you’ve had a heart attack already, your doctor may even recommend a specific target range for you. If a physician prescribes blood pressure medication for you after a heart attack, make sure to take the medication as prescribed. Other ways to help lower or maintain your blood pressure include:
- Exercising regularly
- Watching your sodium intake
- Maintaining a healthy weight
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