If you have been diagnosed with coronary heart disease, it is important that you continue your treatment plan. Get regular follow-up care to control your condition and prevent complications.

• Receive follow-up care

It is critical to get routine medical care and to take all medicines regularly, as your doctor prescribes. Do not change the amount of your medicine or skip a dose unless your doctor tells you to. Talk with your doctor about how often you should schedule office visits and blood tests.

Between visits, call your doctor if you have any new symptoms, if your symptoms worsen, or if you have problems with your blood pressure or blood sugar.

• Cardiac rehabilitation

You may be referred for exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation, also called cardiac rehab, to manage symptoms and reduce the chances of future issues such as heart attack. Studies have shown that cardiac rehabilitation lowers the risk of hospitalization and death. It can also improve your quality of life.

• Prevent complications over your lifetime

Your doctor will work with you to manage medical conditions that can raise your risk of heart issues and complications.

Your doctor will likely suggest heart-healthy lifestyle changes, such as eating heart-healthy foods, being physically active, and quitting smoking. Your doctor may refer you to other professionals, such as a registered dietitian or exercise physiologist. Your healthcare team can help you set up a personal plan to meet your health goals.

There are benefits to quitting smoking no matter how long or how much you have smoked. Coronary heart disease risk associated with smoking begins to decrease soon after you quit, and it generally continues to decrease over time. In addition:

• You will likely be given a statin to lower your LDL cholesterol, especially after a heart attack.

• Your doctor may recommend aspirin to prevent a heart attack or stroke. Low-dose aspirin may help prevent blood clots and lower the risk for heart attacks and other complications of coronary heart disease for some people, particularly those with microvascular disease or who have diabetes. Talk to your doctor before taking aspirin, because it raises the risk of serious bleeding.

• If you have diabetes, you will need to check your blood sugar regularly and keep taking any prescribed medicines.

• If your coronary heart disease becomes unstable or has led to a heart attack or sudden cardiac arrest, your doctor may recommend a pacemaker or defibrillator to detect and treat certain types of serious arrhythmias.

• Take care of your mental health

Living with heart disease may cause fear, anxiety, depression, and stress. You may worry about having heart problems or making lifestyle changes that are necessary for your health. Talk with your healthcare team about how you feel. Your doctor may talk to you about:

• Talking to a professional counselor. If you have depression or anxiety, your doctor also may recommend medicines or other treatments that can improve your quality of life.

• Joining a patient support group. This may help you adjust to living with heart disease. You can find out how other people manage similar symptoms. Your doctor may be able to recommend local support groups, or you can check with an area medical center.

• Seeking support from family and friends. Letting your loved ones know how you feel and what they can do to help you can help relieve stress and anxiety.

 •          Learn the warning signs of serious complications and have a plan.

Coronary heart disease can lead to heart attack or stroke. If you think that you are or someone else is having the following symptoms, call 9-1-1 right away. Every minute matters.