Red ucing Your Risk Of Heart Attack While heart attack risk is highest in winter, maintaining a healthylifestyle is a goodideaall year. (NAPS)—While death from heart attack is highest during the winter holidays, you can protect heart health with diet, exercise medication. and taking prescribed The Problem Juggling all the extra pressures of a busyholiday schedule can wreak havoc on yourhealthy habits,butit’s one ofthe most dangerous times to lower your guard. Research showsdeaths from heart attacks peak during DecemberandJanuary. “Changes in diet and alcohol con- that empowers people to take control of their heart health using interactive tools to learn abouttheir condition, track med- ications and closely monitor any changes. One Man’sStory For example, Lex Roulston over- hauled his diet and increased exercise after having a quintuple bypass surgery in 2001, since all five of his coronary arteries were blocked. Roulston said he “never thought about whathe ate or worried about his health” and that his sumption; stress from family interactions, strained finances, travel and entertain- bypass surgery “was a big wake-upcall” to take his health seriously and protect his heart health. holidays,’ explains John Osborne, M.D., Ph.D., a preventive cardiologist for State son resources through a cardiac care program following his bypass surgery, but said mobile tools such as My Cardiac Coach can provide the support, as ing; and even respiratory problems from burning woodareall possible reasonsfor the increase in heart attacks during the of the Heart Cardiology. A Solution If you've had a heartattack,it’s espe- cially important to maintain a healthy diet, stick to an exercise plan and take medicines as prescribed. About 20 percent of heart attack survivors over the age of 45 will have another heart attack within five years oftheirfirst. “Making lifestyle changes can be difficult,” adds Osborne. “Many of my patients use mobile apps that provide education and electronic reminders to help stay focused on howto protect their heart health and minimize risks.” One such app is My Cardiac Coach, a free and easy-to-use mobile app developed by the American Heart Association Roulston, now 84, relied on in-per- well as access to medical information, that proved so crucial as he madesignificantlifestyle changes. “Its just another tool to help you makea lifestyle change,’ said Roulston, who, with his wife, funded the Lex and Eileen Roulston Lifestyle Change Initiative and Lee County Support Network for Survivors and Caregivers to provide a local support network to people in Lee County, Fla. “Having the tools to support you makesit a lot easier to make changes, especially as you face challenges.” Learn More For further facts about My Cardiac Coach and to download the app for Apple or Android mobile devices, go to www.heart.org/MyCardiacCoach.
