Rehabilitating Your Heart
A Presentation of the Department
of Cardiology of the Mount
Pleasant Regional Hospital
If you have heart disease,
you’re not alone.
Over 1.5 million
Americans have heart
attacks every year.
Americans spend more
money are heart disease
than any other illness—
$80 billion per year.
More people die of
cardiovascular disease
than from all other causes
of death combined.
What Is Heart Disease?
Atherosclerosis:
hardening and clogging
of the arteries.
Normal artery
Diseased artery
Heart attacks and angina
pectoris are caused by
atherosclerosis of theSuperior
vena
coronary arteries
cava
Right
atrium
Right coronary artery
aorta
Pulmonary
trunk
Left
atrium
Anterior
interventricular
artery
What Causes Heart Disease?
Genetics and other
things we can’t control
Smoking
Obesity
Hypertension (high blood
pressure)
Inactivity (sedentary
lifestyle)
Excess stress and
tension
How Can You Rehabilitate Your
Heart?
Diet
Exercise
Stress Management
Substance
Management
Medications
Dietary Guidelines
Eat a low-fat diet (10-30% of
calories from fat)
Avoid foods with cholesterol
Eat 3–5 servings of vegetable
group daily
Eat 2–4 servings of fruit group
daily
Eat 6–11 servings of grain group
daily
Eat more fish and less red meat
Exercise Guidelines
Type: Use large muscle groups
(legs): walking, hiking, biking,
skating, jogging, dancing, kickboxing, etc.
Duration: 20 to 60 minutes
Frequency: At least 3 times
per week
Intensity: Get heart rate up to
60 to 80% of maximum. Max =
220 – Age in years
Stress Management Guidelines
Promote informal social
activities with family and
friends
Manage your time wisely
Take time to rejuvenate
Be kind but assertive
Apply relaxation techniques
Meditate and/or pray
Substance Management
Guidelines
Avoid smoking
Reduce or omit
caffeine
Reduce alcohol
consumption
Prescription Medications
Cholesterol and
triglyceride lowering
drug, e.g., Lipitor
(Atorvastatin)
Blood thinning drug,
e.g., Plavix
(Clopidogrel)
Blood pressure lowering
drug, e.g., Lotrel
Recommended Over-theCounter Drugs
Baby aspirin (to
help thin the
blood)
Vitamins C and E
(antioxidants to
prevent arterial
wall damage)
Multivitamins (to
improve overall
health)
Bibliography
Dr. Dean Ornish’s Program for
Reversing Heart Disease, Random
House, New York, 1990.
Big Book of Healthy Family Dinners,
Better Homes and Garden, De
Moines, 1999.