Working On Heart Health After Your Angioplasty

After going through a balloon angioplasty to open one of your coronary arteries, you may be inspired to look for ways you can take better care of your heart. If you want to remain healthy and avoid additional procedures like the one you've just had, consider these tactics:

Exercise

If you're like so many adults, you are probably not getting as much exercise as you need. However, not only is exercise great for your physical shape, but it is also healthy for your heart and blood vessels. In fact, regular exercise protects the lining of blood vessels and increases dilation of those blood vessels as well. Check with your doctor about whether you are restricted from any particular physical activities, but plan to start some kind of regular exercise regimen.

Stop Watching So Much TV

You might have favorite television shows that you're eager to keep up with, but you should start becoming aware of just how much time you spend in front of the TV. That's because television watching has been linked to higher rates of heart disease. In fact, those who have their eyes glued to the screen for upwards of four hours per day have an 80% greater chance of dying from issues related to artery and heart disease. The longer you watch television on a daily basis, the less likely you are to be moving around and working on your physical health.

Try to cut down the amount of television you watch. When you do watch TV, consider doing some light exercise during commercial breaks.

Eat Properly

You probably realize your diet has to change after an angioplasty. However, other than cutting back on red meat, you might not know what you should be consuming in your diet. Aim for plenty of vegetables and fruits, particularly leafy greens such as kale or spinach. Leafy greens contain so-called nitrates that are converted to nitric oxide when you digest them. That's important because the gas aids narrow blood vessels in relaxing and allowing more oxygen and increased circulation.

Get Regular Screenings and Tests

Your need for an angioplasty might have been a surprise to you, particularly if you don't see your doctor very much and have not been keeping up with yearly physicals. If you haven't started getting regular screenings for heart trouble, now is the time. You should have blood work and other testing done even when you don't have any symptoms. That way, if something is found, you can get treatment earlier.

An angioplasty can provide an opportunity to really improve your health. Continue seeing your primary physician, as well as vascular radiology experts, ensure that you are recovering well.

Contact a medical office like DeSoto Memorial Hospital for more information and assistance.