HEART PATIENT LIFE GUIDES

To prevent another heart incident, the patient should be aggressive to follow established guidelines. BLOOD THINNERS: Aspirin 81mg daily (325mg/day if stent or bypass); add Plavix if stent/acute episode CHOLESTEROL: LDL under 2 BLOOD PRESSURE: Keep under 140/90; if diabetes/kidney disease, keep under 130/80 BLOOD PRESSURE: ACE inhibitor/Beta blocker improve outcome; may add thiazide if needed FLU SHOT: A must each year for cardiac patients PHYSICAL ACTIVITY: 30 to 60 minutes a day 5 days a week WEIGHT: Lose extra weight gradually Waistline 102cm for men, 88 for women