Heart Attack Prevention Programs

Medically Reviewed By William C. Lloyd III, MD, FACS
man clutching chest from heart attack
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Many people think they won’t have a heart attack, but heart attacks happen more often than you might think—every 34 seconds in the United States according to the American Heart Association.

If you have risk factors for heart disease and heart attack, your doctor may have already suggested you participate in a heart attack prevention program. The dedicated staff who run these programs teach you how to prevent a heart attack by managing your risk factors.

Heart Attack Stories: How to Prevent a Second One

What puts me at risk for a heart attack?

A heart attack, also called a myocardial infarction, is most commonly caused by a blood clot that blocks blood flow to the heart muscle. A clot is most likely to form when fatty plaque builds up on the walls of the narrowed arteries that supply fresh, oxygen-rich blood to your heart muscle. The plaque buildup is called atherosclerosis and its negative effect on your arteries and blood flow is called coronary heart disease, or CHD.

Some things that increase your risk for a heart attack are not controllable, such as family history of heart disease and heart attack. The good news is that you can do something about coronary heart disease and other heart attack risk factors, such as:

  • Poor eating habits, such as eating foods high in saturated fats, sugar, and processed carbohydrates

  • Sedentary lifestyle

  • Excessive alcohol use

What are the elements of a heart attack prevention program?

A heart attack prevention program shows you how to prevent a heart attack by addressing risks factors under your control. The sooner you start a heart attack prevention program, the less likely it is that you will have a heart attack.

Your doctor can design a program, or you can ask for a referral to a local cardiovascular disease prevention program in your area. Some hospitals offer formalized heart disease prevention programs that provide many support services under one roof. Whether you work with your doctor or enroll in a hospital program, you will get a complete evaluation of your cardiac risk factors, a personalized plan, and support services (or referrals to services) that help you lead a heart-healthy life. Programs help you to:

  • Kick the habit. Quitting smoking is a tough challenge. You shouldn’t give up, even if you have to try several times to quit. Your doctor will recommend the most effective types of smoking cessation programs and medications for you.

  • Eat for your heart. A prevention program will most likely involve one or more sessions with a nutritionist or dietician to help you get on track. Indulge in heart-healthy foods by choosing as many fresh foods as possible and limiting processed foods that are high in sugar, salt (sodium), and saturated and trans fats.

  • Ramp it up. An exercise physiologist or cardiac rehabilitation expert will give you tips and strategies for exercise. Try to get about 30 minutes of moderate exercise on most days of the week

  • Trim your waistline. Ask your doctor what an ideal weight is for you. If you need to lose weight, ask for advice on a good weight-loss plan.

  • Moderate alcohol. Indulging in more than one alcoholic drink per day for women or two per day for men increases your risk of a heart attack. If you’re thirsty when you get home, have tonic water or club soda with a twist of lime or lemon to quench your thirst.

  • Take care of yourself. Manage conditions that increase your risk of heart attack. See your doctor as advised and follow instructions to control angina, diabetes, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure.

  • Manage stress. Chronic stress contributes to poor health. Some prevention programs include counseling sessions for advice and concrete strategies for keeping stress at bay, or to cope with anxiety if you’ve already had a heart attack.


For some people, taking a low dose of aspirin every day or every other day may help prevent a heart attack. Aspirin therapy experts advise you to contact your doctor before taking aspirin for your heart. Even low doses can cause serious side effects in some people.

How will I benefit from a heart attack prevention program?

You’ll learn to make healthy choices in your everyday life in order to prevent a first or second heart attack. The added benefit is that these same lifestyle changes will also lower your risk of other serious diseases, such as stroke and some types of cancer. With a healthy new attitude and daily habits, you will look and feel healthier and younger, achieve a smaller waistline, and improve your energy level.

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Medical Reviewer: William C. Lloyd III, MD, FACS
Last Review Date: 2021 Jan 8
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