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?
Superior vena cava
aorta
Pulmonary
trunk
Atherosclerosis: Right atrium
hardening and
clogging of the
Left
atrium
arteries.
Heart attacks and
Right
angina pectoris are
coronary
Anterior
caused by
artery
interventricular
artery
atherosclerosis of
the coronary
Normal Artery
arteries
Diseased 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, kick-boxing, 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.