How to Live With Heart Disease & Stents

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States, according to the Center for Disease Control. Occurring due to blockage or narrowing of the blood vessels necessary for oxygen and blood supply to the heart, heart disease can cause chest pain, chest heaviness or no symptoms at all. Stents, used to open up blocked or narrowed arteries, help provide another opportunity at life for those who suffer from heart disease.

Things You'll Need

• Doctor appointment

Show More

Instructions

• 1

  Quit smoking. Smoking is a major cause of heart disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC. Smokers are at least two times as likely to get heart disease as non-smokers. Quitting now can improve your chances of survival as well as the success of other treatment options.

• 2

  Maintain a healthy weight and diet. Reduce the amount of salt in your diet and include foods that are low in saturated fats and cholesterol. This will help to keep your heart healthy. A healthy weight will ensure your heart isn't pumping harder than necessary. Speak to your doctor concerning your weight target range.

• 3

  Take all medications as directed. This can include blood thinners, such as aspirin, to help prevent clotting around the stent area. For most people, according to the Mayo Clinic, this will be necessary therapy for life once they undergo an angioplasty with a stent, or even without one. Also make sure to take any medications for managing diabetes, cholesterol and blood pressure. These are all important conditions to have under control while living with heart disease.

• 4

  Get regular exercise. Exercise will help keep you healthy and is an important part of maintaining weight. Speak to your doctor concerning activity levels and the duration and intensity that is appropriate for your stage of care. It's vital to seek the advice of a doctor before beginning any exercise program.

• 5

  Contact your physician. Make follow-up appointments as necessary and provide updates of any improvements or difficulties you are experiencing. If you notice that chest pain, shortness of breath or any other previous symptoms return after placement of a stent, contact emergency medical help right away.