Did you have a heart attack? A cardiology specialist explains what you should keep in mind from now on to take care of your health.

Cardiovascular health is a public health challenge. According to the World Health Organization, 38% of premature deaths related to noncommunicable diseases worldwide are attributed to cardiovascular disease.

Time is a determining factor in protecting cardiovascular health during a heart attack. Responding promptly to the emergency can save extra time and reduce damage to this vital muscle for survival.

After a heart attack, precautions must be maintained and medical recommendations followed to avoid a repeat event that could worsen the heart's condition or even lead to death.

At the "It's Time to Act" event organized by Amgen Colombia, Dr. María del Pilar Morales, an internal medicine physician specializing in cardiology and member of the Colombian Society of Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery (SCC), discusses the role of time, self-care, and awareness needed to protect heart health.

It's definitely a second chance to take charge of your heart. It's a time to take control of your own health in order to prevent a recurrence of a heart attack. We also consider it a second chance because lifestyle changes occur, and the patient must be aware of the importance of treatment and the rigor required.

We always recommend regular medical checkups, as future quality of life also depends on them. We encourage everyone to check their cholesterol and triglyceride levels, for example. It's vital to take care of yourself before a second heart attack occurs, because it could be the last.

When someone suffers a heart attack, they are at high risk of suffering another cardiovascular event or even dying. However, we must consider that current technologies and scientific advances are reducing the recurrence of new heart attacks.

In this sense, it is very important for patients to ensure access and adherence to these new treatments, which have definitively changed the course of the disease and the quality of life of people with cardiovascular disease.

Time is money when it comes to protecting the heart. The sooner an emergency is treated, the greater the likelihood of survival and reduced damage to this vital organ. When we intervene early during or after a heart attack, the likelihood of further recurrences will be greatly reduced. It is important to be aware that every activity carried out in the care setting impacts a patient's outcome and prognosis.

First and foremost, it's important to know that after a heart attack, some of the recommended therapies will be continued indefinitely, even if the patient has made all the lifestyle changes, has no other symptoms, or even feels better due to factors such as weight loss and the feeling of shortness of breath.

Discontinuing therapy is definitely not an option. This is something we often see patients do because they feel better, but a year has passed, and they believe they no longer need it, which puts their health or even their lives at risk. Time again plays an important role, as a heart attack can recur after weeks or months, and in the unfortunate cases, complications such as sudden death can arise.

The main message we want to emphasize is the importance of consistently following the recommendations made by the treating physician. On the other hand, not only should patients be mindful of not discontinuing treatment; healthcare professionals also have a role to play in making appropriate prescriptions and not losing sight of the importance of continuing treatment. We must be bold enough to make decisions earlier to improve adherence and thus prevent the deterioration of our patients' health or their death, which is a very painful situation for a physician.

We always have several goals, and as professionals, we should explain these to our patients so they know what to expect and can discuss the best course of action with their doctor. This includes including their families. This way, achieving goals like lowering LDL cholesterol, reducing weight, and reducing sugar intake becomes a team effort. It's essential to manage stress, anxiety, and depression, which we know are factors that also influence cardiovascular health.

Of course, alcohol and tobacco consumption must be eliminated to maintain a healthy heart. Likewise, regular checkups with healthcare professionals are essential. Skipping visits to a specialist is a risk you can't take. With these recommendations, it's possible to reduce the recurrence of cardiovascular events. The ideal formula includes persistence and adherence to treatment.

Environment and Health Journalist