For individuals with heart disease, depression often keeps them from complying with necessary lifestyle changes. Depression also interferes with compliance to medical treatment in general, Wilcox says. Realize that there is life after a heart attack. Durstine says that advances in medicine, drugs and technology offer new hope to heart-attack victims. In the last two decades, cardiac rehabilitation has changed dramatically.
New drugs are available to lower cholesterol and prevent blood clots.
Realize that change is never easy, but the rewards are great. Dr. Gary Ewing, a USC School of Medicine professor and expert on diet and obesity, says the lifestyle changes, including diet and exercise, that are needed for heart health require commitment. Talk to your doctor about what you need to do and try to make the changes that you need. Your life may depend on it. SC College of Nursing professor Dr. JoAnne Herman says that stress takes a toll on heart health.