Lifestyle is A Choice. Treatment After a Heart Attack is not.

When my son was younger, I enjoyed reading him a series of books called The Power to Choose. The main character, a "superhero-in-training," makes a series of small choices that determines the outcome of the story. Every choice, from being kind to a friend to doing a chore, has consequences that shape their future.

The name of our medical office, Choose Healthy, is rooted in my core values and supported by my strong belief that personal choices are essential for overall wellbeing. I am an advocate for empowering my patients to make their own health choices. When we make choices, we feel more in control of our health journey. Just as the character in the book series has the power to choose, so do we.

The Heart Attack Reality

• Heart disease, including coronary artery disease (CAD), affects more than 18 million adults and remains the leading cause of death in the United States. Around 805,000 Americans experience a myocardial infarction each year.

• A heart attack is a medical emergency. Treatment consists of defined life sustaining interventions: drugs, surgery and intensive care.

• A patient experiencing a heart attack should have a "door-to-balloon" time of no more than 90 minutes. This is the time from arrival at the emergency room to when the blocked artery is opened in the catheterization lab.

• Post heart attack recovery requires strict long term cardiac rehabilitation and adherence to medical advice. This includes prescribed medications and lifestyle changes that are no longer a choice.

The best "choice" is prevention. 

A meta-analysis published in 2024 found that walking at your quickest pace was associated with a 46% decreased risk of CAD events. 

Also, according to scientific evidence, following a Mediterranean diet can lower the risk of CAD by 25% to 47%, depending on the study and how closely the diet is followed.

Last, but not least, research shows that elevated cortisol level is linked to an increased risk of CAD, as chronic stress can lead to higher blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol. 

What we eat, how we move, and how we manage stress are all choices. These choices significantly impact the risk of a heart attack. 

Our today’s lifestyle choices are our "superpower" for a healthier future.