Secondary prevention

People who have had a heart attackThe death of a section of heart muscle caused by an interruption in its blood supply. Also called a myocardial infarction. in the past are at greater risk than others of a similar occurrence in the future.[1] Fortunately, a number of steps can be taken to help to prevent this. These measures include:

• Stopping (or avoiding) smoking
• Lowering cholesterolA substance present in many tissues and an important constituent of cell membranes although high concentrations of a certain type of cholesterol in the blood are unhealthy. levels
• Maintaining a normal body weight
• Taking regular exercise
• Controlling blood pressure or diabetes mellitusDisordered energy metabolism and high levels of glucose in the blood owing to a lack of insulin, or poor response of the body to insulin., if present.

See the Living with pages for more information about secondary prevention after a heart attackThe death of a section of heart muscle caused by an interruption in its blood supply. Also called a myocardial infarction..