Contents CHAPTER 1. UNDERSTANDING YOUR HEART AND THE CAUSES OF HEART DISEASE The heart 2 The blood vessels 2 Heart disease 3 Angina 4 Heart attack 5 Risk factors for coronary artery disease 8 What else do you need to know about the heart and heart disease? 16 Worksheet: How to make healthy lifestyle changes 18 CHAPTER 2. KNOWING YOUR MEDICATIONS Medications in the hospital 24 Medications when you leave the hospital 24 Managing your medications 30 Worksheet: My medications 33 CHAPTER 3. EATING FOR A HEALTHY HEART What is heart-healthy eating? 36 Understanding fat, sodium, added sugar and alcohol 39 Adopting a heart-healthy eating pattern 43 Other heart-healthy diets and menus 44 Worksheet:
Food labels 46 Worksheet: My healthy eating 48 CHAPTER 4. TAKING CONTROL OF YOUR PHYSICAL RECOVERY Exercise and active living 52 Why is exercise so important? 53 What is cardiac rehabilitation? 54 Let’s get started 55 The F.I.T.T. principle 56 Aerobic exercise plan 57 Resistance exercise plan 61 Strength training program 65 Stretching and range of motion exercise plan 74 Why is active living important? 78 Technology and exercise 78 Plan ahead 79 Set SMARTer exercise goals 79 CHAPTER 5. ADAPTING TO LIVING WITH HEART DISEASE:
THE NEW RULES OF THE GAME Managing your emotional reactions to coronary artery disease 82 Learning to live with your coronary artery disease 87 Learning to manage your emotions, thoughts and behaviours 89 Staying connected: Family, friends and intimacy 101 When to ask for psychological help 106 Worksheet: Preparing for a doctor’s appointment 107 WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! Heart and Stroke Foundation online information can help you to manage and live healthy after heart disease. Visit heartandstroke.ca/heart Living Well with Heart Disease | VII