207: Help Prevent a Second Heart Attack

<div>The statistics are staggering. According to the American Heart Association, 1 in 4 heart attack and clot-related stroke survivors will have another one. But internist and board-certified gastroenterologist Dr. Roshini Raj says there are simple things we can do every day to help prevent it.</div> <div> <br> “The key is to manage your risk factors,” says Dr. Raj. “After a heart attack, it’s important to manage things such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes by taking recommended medications, quitting smoking, eating healthy food, and getting active.”<br> <br> </div> <div>The doctor has the following thoughts for those who have had a heart attack or clot-related stroke. “A doctor-directed aspirin regimen may help reduce their risk of another heart attack or clot-related (ischemic) stroke. Aspirin is not appropriate for everyone, so be sure to talk to your doctor before you begin an aspirin regimen,” he advises.<br> <br> </div> <div>As a reminder, no one should start, stop or modify an aspirin regimen without first speaking with their doctor. It's always important to talk to your doctor before making any changes to your regimen.</div> <div> <br> How can aspirin help prevent a second heart attack or clot-related stroke? “Aspirin helps limit the stickiness of platelets, which are part of the blood cells responsible for blocking arteries that lead to a heart attack or clot-related stroke. This helps prevent these harmful clots from forming and getting bigger and helps keep blood flowing,” says Dr. Raj.<br> <br> </div> <div>He says you should ask your doctor about cardiac rehabilitation too. “This is a medically supervised program designed to help you recover after a heart attack or clot-related stroke," says the doctor. "It is comprised of an exercise program, education for heart-healthy living, and emotional support counseling. You should have received a referral to cardiac rehab when you were discharged from the hospital – if you didn’t, ask your doctor to provide one," says Dr. Raj.</div> <