There are many things you can do to be healthier and reduce the risk of having a heart attack:

•           eat healthily;

•           be physically active;

•           keep to a healthy weight and lose weight if necessary;

•           don't smoke;

•           cut down on alcohol;

•           control high blood pressure;

•           control cholesterol levels;

•           control blood sugar levels (if you have diabetes).

Ongoing Care:

•           Treat related conditions

Treating conditions that make a heart attack more likely also can help lower your risk for a heart attack. These conditions may include:

•           Diabetes (high blood sugar). If you have diabetes, try to control your blood sugar level through diet and physical activity (as your doctor recommends). If needed, take medicine as prescribed.

•           High blood cholesterol. Your doctor may prescribe a statin medicine to lower your cholesterol if diet and exercise aren’t enough.

•           High blood pressure. Your doctor may prescribe medicine to keep your blood pressure under control.

•           Chronic kidney disease. Your doctor may prescribe medicines to control your high blood pressure or high blood sugar levels.

•           Peripheral artery disease. Your doctor may recommend surgery or procedures to unblock the affected arteries.

•           Have an emergency action plan. Make sure that you have an emergency action plan in case you or someone in your family has a heart attack. This is very important if you’re at high risk for or have already had a heart attack.

Write down a list of medicines you are taking, medicines you are allergic to, your health care provider’s phone numbers (both during and after office hours), and contact information for a friend or relative. Keep the list in a handy place (for example, fill out a wallet card) to share in a medical emergency.

Talk with your doctor about the signs and symptoms of a heart attack, when you should call 9–1–1 and the steps you can take while waiting for medical help to arrive.