When you are very overweight, your heart has to do more work, and you are at increased risk of high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels and diabetes. A healthy diet and exercise program aimed at weight loss can help improve your health. Stress and anger. Uncontrolled stress or anger are linked to increased coronary artery disease risk. You may need to learn skills such as time management, relaxation or yoga to help lower your stress levels.
Cardiac rehabilitation works well for many people with coronary artery disease.
A cardiac rehabilitation program provides an excellent opportunity to begin an exercise program, learn about your heart disease, and learn strategies to change your lifestyle to prevent further progression of your disease. Your risk for heart disease increases with each risk factor you have and the length of time you have had them. Do not take lifestyle changes lightly. These steps are important to decrease your risk for plaque development and future heart attacks. Eliminate as many risk factors as possible and increase your chances of good health.