Heart attack prevention is the most important and effective strategy for actively reducing the personal risk of this life-threatening event. A heart attack is not an inevitable fate, but in the vast majority of cases the end result of a process lasting years or even decades, which can be actively influenced. In our cardiology practice in Düsseldorf, the Heart attack prevention top priority. As your specialist in preventive medicine and cardiology, Dr. Raphael Bruno will work with you to develop a personalized plan to identify, assess and effectively treat your individual risks.
Why targeted heart attack prevention is crucial
The main cause of a heart attack - as well as a stroke or (vascular dementia) - is arteriosclerosis, a progressive disease of the arteries that is often referred to as „vascular calcification“. Fats, cholesterol and other substances are deposited in the walls of the coronary arteries and form so-called plaques. This process begins in adolescence (!) and goes completely unnoticed and without symptoms for many years. This means that you feel completely healthy, but the disease has already progressed.
The real danger arises when one of these plaques suddenly ruptures (ruptures). A blood clot forms at this point, which can suddenly block the vessel. The underlying part of the heart muscle is no longer supplied with oxygen and dies - a heart attack occurs.
The Heart attack prevention starts right here: Its aim is to slow down or stop the development and progression of arteriosclerosis and to stabilize the plaques so that they do not rupture.
The pillars of heart attack prevention: recognizing and treating risk factors
The key to a successful Heart attack prevention lies in the consistent management of known risk factors. Some of these cannot be changed (age, gender, genetic predisposition), but you can actively influence the most important ones together with your doctor.
Your personal action plan to minimize risk
Risk factor | What you can do yourself (lifestyle) | How we support you medically (diagnostics & therapy) |
High blood pressure | Salt reduction in the diet, regular endurance sports, stress management, weight reduction. | Precise diagnostics (incl. 24-hour measurement), determination of target values, initiation of modern drug therapy with few side effects. |
High LDL cholesterol | Mediterranean diet with lots of fiber and healthy fats, reduction of saturated fats. | Differentiated blood lipid analysis (lipidology), calculation of the individual risk, guideline-compliant drug reduction (e.g. with statins). |
Diabetes Mellitus | Blood sugar-friendly diet, regular exercise to increase insulin sensitivity, blood sugar self-monitoring. | Regular monitoring of long-term blood glucose (HbA1c), assessment of cardiac risk, close cooperation with your diabetologist. |
Smoking | Complete and permanent smoking cessation. There is no more effective single measure! | Information about the massive risks, motivation to stop smoking, if necessary, referral to smoking cessation programs. |
Lack of exercise | At least 150 minutes of moderate endurance activity per week (e.g. brisk walking, cycling, swimming). | Sports medical advice, exercise ECG to determine the safe training intensity. |
Heart attack prevention in our practice: the cardiology check-up
A well-founded Heart attack prevention begins with a comprehensive assessment. At our practice in Düsseldorf, we offer you a specialized cardiological check-up designed to precisely determine your personal risk profile.
Such a check-up for heart attack prevention typically includes:
This comprehensive examination provides a detailed picture on the basis of which we develop a personalized pension strategy for you.
Your contribution to heart attack prevention: The power of lifestyle
Modern medicine can do a lot, but the most effective instruments for Heart attack prevention are in your own hands. A heart-healthy lifestyle is the basis of any prevention strategy and can reduce the risk by up to 80%. We will advise you in detail on how you can integrate these measures into your everyday life. Focus on a balanced, plant-based diet, regular exercise that you enjoy, consistently giving up smoking and active stress management.
Preventing heart attacks with medication: when tablets are essential
For patients with a very high risk or who have already suffered an event (secondary prevention), lifestyle changes alone are often not enough. In these cases, targeted drug therapy is required for Heart attack prevention indispensable and life-saving. These include in particular
The decision for drug therapy is always made on an individual basis after careful risk-benefit assessment and on the basis of current guidelines.
Frequently asked questions about heart attack prevention
Here we answer frequently asked questions on the subject of heart attack prevention.
I am young and sporty, do I still need heart attack prevention?
Even if your risk is lower, you are not completely immune. Especially if you have a family history of early heart attacks or other risk factors such as an undetected high cholesterol level (especially Lp(a)), a Heart attack prevention also makes sense at a young age. In addition, the vascular disease underlying heart attacks begins in adolescence. Heart attack prevention creates an important basis for the future.
Can you reduce your risk of heart attack to zero?
There is always a residual risk, as factors that cannot be influenced, such as genetics, also play a role. Through consistent Heart attack prevention and the management of all controllable risk factors, you can reduce your personal risk to an absolute minimum.
Does stress play a major role in heart attacks?
Yes, acute, extreme stress can directly trigger a heart attack („trigger“). Chronic stress has an indirect effect by leading to high blood pressure, unhealthy eating habits and inflammatory reactions in the body. Stress management is therefore an integral part of Heart attack prevention.
What is the difference between ASA for prevention and therapy?
After a heart attack (secondary prevention), it is absolutely necessary to take ASA 100 to inhibit platelets. In primary prevention (i.e. in people without known heart disease), the use of ASA is now recommended very cautiously and only in selected high-risk patients, as the benefits must outweigh the risk of bleeding.
My father had a heart attack. Will I have one too?
A family history increases your statistical risk. However, this does not mean that you will necessarily also suffer a heart attack. Rather, it is an urgent appeal to Heart attack prevention and to optimally adjust all controllable risk factors (cholesterol, blood pressure, lifestyle).
I have no symptoms. Why should I go for screening?
This is precisely the principle of Heart attack prevention. The underlying arteriosclerosis does not cause any symptoms for decades. Screening aims to detect and treat the „silent“ danger before it becomes a noticeable and often dangerous problem. It's like brushing your teeth - you brush to prevent tooth decay.
Which examination is the most important for heart attack prevention?
There is no single most important examination. The strength of the cardiologic Heart attack prevention lies in the combination of different components: The laboratory values show the metabolic risk, the ultrasound of the carotid arteries the pre-existing vascular load and the exercise ECG the functional impact.
Can arteriosclerosis be reversed?
A complete regression of advanced plaques is not currently possible. However, a very consistent reduction in LDL cholesterol and adjustment of other risk factors can lead to plaques shrinking, stabilizing and significantly reducing the risk of rupture. The progression of the disease can therefore definitely be halted.
At what cholesterol level do I have to start taking tablets?
There is no general answer to this question. Contrary to what the laboratory term wrongly suggests, there are none fixed threshold value. The decision in favor of drug therapy as part of the Heart attack prevention depends on the LDL value in the context of your individual overall risk. A value that is harmless for a young, healthy person may already be far too high for a diabetic or a patient with high blood pressure.
Act now for the health of your heart
The Heart attack prevention is the most effective weapon against the most common cause of death in the western world. It gives you the opportunity to actively shape your future in a healthy way. At our practice in Düsseldorf, we offer you a comprehensive prevention strategy based on scientific evidence. Don't wait for an event. Make an appointment for your personal preventive care.
Opening hours:
Tuesday: 08:00 - 17:00
Wednesday: 08:00 - 12:00
Thursday: 08:00 - 17:00
Friday: 08:00 - 13:00
Appointments by arrangement.
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