Updates secondary prevention guidelines

The guidelines recommend that patients with coronary heart disease and other vascular disease such as stroke and peripheral artery disease:

• Stop smoking and avoid exposure to tobacco smoke;
• Get at least 30 minutes of exercise 5-7 days a week;
• Reduce weight if you are overweight, obese, or have a large waist;
• Get an annual flu shot;
• Take low-dose aspirin daily unless your doctor prescribes a higher dose or recommends against it because of medical contraindications.

These guidelines may help high-risk people live longer, healthier lives

• Healthy habits and optimal medical treatment can improve survival and quality of life for people who have been diagnosed with heart disease, or experienced a heart attack or stroke
• For the first time, the guidelines emphasize the importance of participating in a cardiac rehabilitation program after a heart attack or bypass surgery, and of diagnosing and treating depression in heart disease patients.