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.
• Heart attacks and angina pectoris are caused
by atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries
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-the-Counter
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.