Aspirin can help people with high blood pressure, a family history of heart disease, kidney problems, diabetes, or a history of smoking. Do not use aspirin if you have liver or heart failure or stomach ulcers. People under 21 should not take aspirin.
Side effects of statins include muscle damage, confusion, memory loss, high blood sugar, or liver damage.
Side effects of calcium channel blockers include constipation, headache, heart palpitations, dizziness, drowsiness, or nausea. This medication will not reduce the current levels of calcium in your heart.
To manage diabetes, you will typically need to inject insulin. Your doctor may also prescribe you medication to help you control your blood sugar levels. Metabolic syndrome may be related to insulin resistance. It is usually treated with diet and exercise. You may be given medication to control cholesterol or blood pressure. Having diabetes doesn’t increase your chances of having a high coronary calcium score. If you have a high coronary calcium score and diabetes, however, your risk of having a heart attack may be higher. [5] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U. S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
If you’re just starting out with exercise, consider hiring a personal trainer. You can also start with some more moderate activities, like swimming, walking, or biking. Take classes like Pilates or dance exercise. Try fitting in activity throughout your day. Take stretch breaks, take the stairs instead of the elevator, or do chores. Running and high-intensity interval training are examples of more vigorous exercise.
Cook at home for the best results. Use fresh vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and lean meats. These are all low in saturated fat but high in fiber and other good nutrients. Avoid adding salt to your meals. Packaged and processed foods are often high in sodium. Avoid canned soup, bottled sauces, chips, and processed meats like ham or salami.
For example, you might stop taking on so many responsibilities at work or you could ask to work from home 1 day a week. Meditation can help you manage stress. Start by meditating for 5 minutes and work your way up to 15 minutes. Squeeze in a little mediation during lunch or coffee breaks. If you’re feeling stressed, try breathing deeply. Count to 5 breaths to release some of your tension. Massages, yoga, and tai chi are other great ways to relax.
Stop using computers, tablets, phones, and other devices with bright screens 1-2 hours before bed. Keep your bedroom as dark as possible. Reduce how much caffeine you drink during the day. Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day.
Scans can cost around $400 USD. Make sure that the facility and radiologist you use are covered by your insurance. In some cases, this procedure may not be covered.
The scan will expose you to a small but safe amount of radiation to create an image of your heart. This image will display any calcium build-up on your heart. [15] X Research source
A score of 0-100 means that a heart attack or stroke is unlikely in the next 3-5 years. You do not need to take any precautions. A score between 100-300 means that you have a high risk of developing heart disease in the next 3-5 years. Your doctor may prescribe you medication or put you on a special diet. Scores over 300 indicate an extremely high risk of heart disease. In most cases, your doctor will prescribe medication like statins or recommend further treatment.
For example, if you have high cholesterol, your doctor may put you on medication called statins and a low-cholesterol diet. There are many types of stress tests. You may undergo an echocardiogram, walk on a treadmill, or take substances like dobutamine or adenosine to check your heart’s health.
Your doctor will assess your weight, current medications, family history, diet, activity levels, stress, and smoking habits. They may advise you to switch to a heart healthy diet, lose weight, exercise more, or take medication. If they haven’t already, your doctor may refer you to a cardiologist. If you need to lose weight, your doctor may refer you to a registered dietitian.
