How Lifestyle Affects Angina

08/20/08 Living Well

Although angina affects 7 million Americans, there are a number of ways you can prevent or decrease your risk for angina and coronary artery disease.

One approach is to treat related conditions. If you have high cholesterol, high blood pressure, or diabetes, follow your doctor’s advice. If medication is prescribed, take it as directed. If you are overweight, find a way to shed pounds. Talk to your doctor; join a gym, start a commercial weight control program—whatever works for you.

There are also many lifestyle changes you can make. If you smoke, quit. Smoking and long-term exposure to secondhand smoke damages your arteries allowing fatty deposits to collect and impede blood flow.

Eat a healthy diet. Cut back on saturated fats like fatty beef, pork, or lamb, poultry with the skin on, and cheeses and other dairy products made from whole or 2 percent milk. Include lots of whole grains, fruits and vegetables. Also,  avoid large meals that make you feel over-full.

It’s hard to avoid stress but try to find ways to relax. There are many stress reduction techniques out there. Check online, go to the library, or ask your doctor. Stress may make you overeat or smoke. Stress can also raise your blood pressure which can make angina worse.

Know how much exertion you can handle. Learn to pace yourself and take rest breaks.

If you drink alcohol, keep your intake moderate. Excessive drinking can damage your heart muscle and raise blood pressure and cholesterol, both of which increase the risk of angina and heart attack.

Get and stay active. Being a couch potato contributes to high blood cholesterol levels and being overweight. Exercise helps lower blood pressure. Check with your doctor before starting an exercise program and rest anytime you feel you need to.

Above all, follow your doctor’s advice. Every person is different. Your doctor should be able to help you manage your angina.

There is a chronic angina clinical trial accepting participants. This trial will evaluate the effectiveness of an investigational treatment for chronic angina in women. Click here for more information.

Mari S. Gold is has written for The New York Times, American Profile, Relish Magazine, TravelSmart, Indianapolis Monthly, and numerous e-zines. An avid cook and foodie, she contributes restaurant reviews to Zagat Guides and The Vermont News Guide, and is working on a young adult novel with a food theme. Married with grown children and two cats, she divides her time between New York City where she is director of communications for a major health care organization, and Dorset, Vermont.