After a life-changing event we often think of our lives differently. The path you were traveling along has suddenly been altered. And there may be some things you have to change. Here are some suggestions…
- Control your cholesterol level and blood pressure.
- If you smoke, talk to your doctor about a smoking-cessation program that’s right for you.
- Maintain a heart healthy weight or lose weight if you’re overweight. If you are overweight, losing as little as 5 percent of your body weight may reduce your health risk.
- Talk to your doctor about a heart healthy diet plan that is right for you.
- Incorporate some sort of exercise into your daily routine (be sure to check with your doctor before starting any exercise program).
- Continue to take your PLAVIX and other heart medicines every day as your doctor recommends.
- Don’t start or stop any medicine without talking to your doctor first.
- See your doctor regularly.
Heart healthy tips and lifestyle changes
- Eat a heart healthy diet, which includes a variety of foods: vegetables, fruits or fruit juices, fish and meats that are low in fat, low-fat or fat-free dairy products, grains (especially whole grains), and legumes (such as lima beans or green peas). Limit calories and saturated fat.
- Gradual changes in eating habits have a better chance of leading to permanent heart healthy lifestyle change.
- Make physical activity part of your regular routine. A heart healthy tip is to start easy, increase gradually, and feel good about getting more active. Talk to your doctor before changing your activity level or starting a new exercise plan.
- Check product labels to learn how much food is considered to be a serving, and how many calories and grams of fat are in it. You might be surprised at what counts as a full serving!
- Be especially careful to limit portion size of foods high in calories, such as cookies, cakes, other sweets, french fries, fats, oils, and spreads.
- Make a commitment to stop smoking, achieve and stay at a healthy weight, and eat foods low in saturated fat, cholesterol, and sodium.
- Being physically active after a first heart attack appears to significantly lower the risk of death or a second heart attack. Talk to your doctor about heart healthy tips and an exercise plan that’s best for you.
PLAVIX helps keep blood platelets from sticking together and forming clots. Here’s another heart healthy tip—to help you remember to take PLAVIX, try taking it at the same time every day, such as at mealtime or bedtime.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
Certain genetic factors and some medicines such as Prilosec reduce the effect of PLAVIX leaving you at greater risk for heart attack and stroke. Your doctor may use genetic tests to determine treatment. Don’t stop taking PLAVIX without talking to your doctor as your risk of heart attack or stroke may increase. People with stomach ulcers or conditions that cause bleeding should not use PLAVIX. Taking PLAVIX alone or with some other medicines, including aspirin, may increase bleeding risk which can potentially be life-threatening. So tell your doctor when planning surgery. Tell your doctor all medicines you take, including aspirin, especially if you’ve had a stroke. If fever, unexplained weakness or confusion develops, tell your doctor promptly. These may be signs of TTP, a rare but potentially life-threatening condition, reported sometimes less than 2 weeks after starting PLAVIX.
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Remember, your doctor is the single best source of information regarding your health. Please consult your doctor if you have any questions about your health or your medicine.
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Information on a cardiac diet for a healthy heart