Health Watch is a Public Service of the Office of News and Publications and is intended to provide general information only and should not replace the advice of a medical professional. You should contact your physician if you have questions about any of these topics.
This week on Health Watch, we’ve been talking about a few simple things you can do to help prevent major medical problems — or even death. Once you’ve had a heart attack, if may seem like it’s too late to do anything. But following the recommended post-heart attack exercise program can make a big difference in your health.
Dr. Amit Khera, a cardiologist at UT Southwestern Medical Center, says exercise programs can reduce post-heart attack deaths by up to 25 percent. Exercise after a heart attack can also improve physical functioning, patient confidence and overall well being. In spite of these benefits, most patients don’t follow the recommended program of exercise after a heart attack, which leaves them at risk for more heart problems and even death. If you’ve had a heart attack, talk to your doctor about the kind and amount of exercise you should be doing.
Visit http://www.utsouthwestern.org/heartlungvascular to learn more about UT Southwestern’s clinical services in heart, lung and vascular.
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February 2009
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