Coronary Artery Disease: How Patients Can Take Back Their Lives

Taking control of your heart health
Even if you have a family history of CAD, there's a lot you can do to prevent a heart attack. "If you control risk factors and try to be as fit as possible, you have the ability to improve not only your rate of survival but also your quality of life," says Paula Johnson, MD, chief of the Division of Women's Health at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston.

Among the most important risk factors for CAD is smoking. "I have told some of my patients, 'Stop smoking or you're going to die.' People have heart attacks that are triggered by one cigarette or one cigar," says Dr. Kligfield.

The best way for heart patients to quit smoking, change their diet and lifestyle, increase their fitness level, and get back to daily life is to enroll in cardiac rehabilitation as soon as possible.

“If it was a drug, it would be required,” says Dr. Kligfield, who estimates that the risk of a second heart attack or premature death is reduced by up to 30% for heart attack survivors who complete a cardiac rehab program. But unfortunately, less than 30% of people who are eligible for cardiac rehab take advantage of it, despite the fact that Medicare and most insurance plans cover it for about two to four months. And women with CAD are less likely to be referred to cardiac rehab and more likely to drop out, in part because of their sense of responsibility to their families.

Your doctor or nurse should be able to refer you to the nearest program, where you'll learn how to quit smoking, eat right, reduce stress, take your medications, and exercise safely as you build strength and endurance. You'll also learn how to get your confidence back and how to cope with the anxiety and depression that often sets in.