Treatment for Heart Disease

Treatment for heart disease may involve lifestyle changes, medications, certain procedures, or a combination of these things. Lifestyle changes include losing weight and following a heart-healthy diet. Medications used to treat heart disease include beta-blockers and nitrates. Procedures include coronary angioplasty, stent placement, and open heart surgery. It's important to remember that treatment for heart disease is a lifelong process.

 

An Overview of Treatment for Heart Disease

There's no getting around it: Heart disease changes your life. For many people, living with a heart condition requires changes both big and small, from undergoing major surgery to adding more fruits and vegetables to their diets. Change can be difficult, and sometimes even scary. But with support, resources, and a good supply of determination, most people are able to meet these new challenges well.
 
Treatment for heart disease will vary for each person's situation. Everyone diagnosed with heart disease will need to undergo lifestyle changes. Depending on the severity, these may be the only changes a person needs to make. For more serious conditions, treatment for heart disease may include medications or certain procedures.
 

Lifestyle Changes for the Treatment of Heart Disease

If you have heart disease, you know by now that it's vital to control it.
 Making lifestyle changes that improve your heart disease risk factors is one important part of treatment for heart disease. Eating well, getting regular physical activity, and maintaining a healthy weight will help to lessen the severity of your condition. If you smoke, you'll need to quit. Reducing stress and limiting alcohol use can also improve your heart health. And, if you have diabetes, you will need to carefully manage it. Be sure to see your doctor regularly for followup visits.
 
(Click Heart Disease Prevention for more information on lifestyle changes as part of the treatment for heart disease.)
 
(Treatment for Heart Disease Continued: Page 2)
Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD