Standing physician assessing seated patient's breath sounds with stethoscope

A heart disease diagnosis can be overwhelming. We understand, and we’re here to help you manage it.

At Northwestern Medicine Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute, we’ve helped countless patients live fuller, more active lives after a heart disease diagnosis. You’ll get that same personalized care, tailored to your lifestyle, health goals and specific heart condition.

Whether you're newly diagnosed or have been living with heart disease for years, our expert team is here to support you through every step of your journey. Together, we help you:

  • Understand your condition
  • Explore the best treatment options
  • Make heart-healthy lifestyle changes
  • Manage your medications
  • Track your progress
  • Access specialized programs as needed

Specialized Programs

We offer several specialized programs that can support your heart disease management plan.

SELECT A PROGRAM:

For people born with heart disease, moving from child to adult care as they age can feel overwhelming. We help make the transition easier through our Cardiovascular Bridge Program, which is specially designed for patients between age 16 and 26 who were born with heart disease. It's especially helpful for those with a condition called bicuspid aortic valve disease.

The Cardiovascular Bridge Program offers:

  • Care from both child and adult heart specialists
  • Help with setting up appointments
  • Checkups for family members
  • Connections to other medical experts, if needed

The Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program helps you get stronger after heart or lung procedures. It includes:

  • Exercise programs with continuous careful monitoring
  • Education about how your heart works, your medications and healthy living
  • Support from specialized physicians, nurses and exercise experts

Once you enroll in the program, you'll come to our center a few times a week. Each visit lasts about one hour. How long you stay in the program depends on your needs and how quickly you improve.

Check with your insurance to see if they cover this program.

Taking care of your emotional health is important for your heart health. When you feel better mentally, your heart can heal better, too.

Heart disease can affect how you feel and think. You may feel stressed or worried, or have other difficult emotions after getting a heart disease diagnosis. Our Cardiac Behavioral Medicine team is here to help you and your family cope with these feelings. We will work with you to find the best ways to help you feel better and stay healthy.

Understanding Heart Disease

Heart disease refers to a range of conditions that affect your heart and how it works. Nearly half of all adults in the United States have some form of heart disease.

Common types of heart disease include:

  • Coronary artery disease. This happens when the arteries that supply blood to your heart become narrowed or blocked by plaque buildup. It's the most common type of heart disease.
  • Heart valve disease. This happens when one or more of your heart valves does not work properly, affecting blood flow through your heart.
  • Arrhythmias. These are irregular heartbeats that can be too fast, too slow or erratic.
  • Heart failure. This means your heart is not pumping blood as well as it should.

While heart disease is a lifelong condition, proper management can help you live an active, fulfilling life.

Managing Heart Disease

We use the latest treatments and technologies to give you world-class care. Our approach has helped countless patients return to the activities they love and even discover new passions.

Along with procedures, our approach includes:

  • Medication management. We help you understand how to take the right medications the right way to get the right benefits.
  • Regular physical activity. We can create a safe exercise plan that fits your needs.
  • Heart-healthy diet. We can make a simple eating plan to support your heart health.
  • Lifestyle changes. We can help you with things like handling stress, quitting smoking and managing weight.
  • Working with other care team members. We can connect you with a variety of specialists to meet your unique needs.
  • Emotional and mental health support. We can help you cope with the feelings that come with heart disease.
  • Self-monitoring and home care. We will teach you how to keep an eye on your condition and watch for warning signs.
  • Specialized programs. We can provide extra support to help keep you on track with your treatment.

These solutions help you maintain your heart health and improve your quality of life.

managing-heart-disease

PATIENT TESTIMONIAL

Diane’s Story

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Diane

Medication Management

Many types of medications are available for people with heart conditions. Your care team will help you decide if medication is right for you, and which medication is best for your needs.

Common heart medications include:

  • Blood pressure medications. These help lower your blood pressure, reducing strain on your heart.
  • Cholesterol-lowering medications. These reduce bad cholesterol and can help prevent heart attacks.
  • Blood thinners. These help prevent blood clots, which can block blood flow to the heart.
  • Heart rhythm medications. These help manage an irregular heartbeat.

Taking your medication the right way is an important part of managing heart disease. By following a few simple steps, you can help make sure you’re getting the most out of your medication.

We encourage you to:

  • Keep a list of all your medications. Write down the name, dose and when you take each one. Bring this list to your care visits.
  • Take medications as prescribed, and try to take them at the same time each day. Setting a daily routine helps you remember.
  • Use a pill organizer to keep track of your medication, especially if you take multiple medications.
  • Do not stop or change your dose without talking to your care team. Even if you feel better, stopping medication suddenly can be harmful.
  • Watch for side effects, such as dizziness or an upset stomach, and let your care team know if you have any problems.
  • Have regular checkups, and get blood tests if needed. These help your care team see how well the medication is working.

Medication can be a key part of your care plan. If you’re worried about costs or side effects, talk with your care team. They can help you find the best solution.

Living a Healthy Lifestyle

Small, steady changes can lead to big improvements. You don’t have to do it all at once. Start with one change and build from there. The following tips can help.

Establish Healthy Habits

Healthy daily habits can improve your heart health. Your care team can help you:

  • Manage stress. Practice deep breathing or meditation to calm your mind. Regular exercise can also relieve stress and boost your mood. Support from friends and family makes it easier to handle stress.
  • Quit smoking. This is one of the best things you can do for your heart. Your care team can suggest options like nicotine replacement therapy or medications. Support groups and quit-smoking apps can also help you stay on track.
  • Control your weight. Achieve or maintain a healthy weight to reduce the strain on your heart. Combine a heart-healthy diet with regular exercise. Set small, realistic goals, and celebrate your progress along the way.
Exercise Regularly

Staying active is crucial for managing heart disease. Your care team can help you choose activities that are right for you. Exercise can help you:

  • Improve blood flow
  • Control your weight
  • Lower your blood pressure and cholesterol
  • Reduce stress

Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate activity each week. That’s about 30 minutes, five days a week. Your care team will work with you to develop a plan that meets your needs.

Activities can include:

  • Brisk walking
  • Swimming
  • Cycling
  • Dancing

To get started, we encourage you to:

  • Start slowly if you’re new to exercising. Begin with five to 10 minutes a day, and add more time as you feel comfortable.
  • Talk to your care team before starting a new exercise routine. They can help you choose the best options for you.
  • Choose activities you enjoy. You’re more likely to stick with exercise if it’s fun.
  • Set small, realistic goals. This helps you feel good about your progress.
  • Exercise with a friend or family member for extra support and motivation.
  • Track your progress using a journal or an app. Seeing your improvements can motivate you to keep going.

If you’re unsure where to start, our Cardiac Rehabilitation Program can create a safe, effective exercise plan tailored to your needs. It’s never too late to start moving toward a healthier heart.

Eat a Heart-Healthy Diet

Eating right is a key part of managing heart disease. A heart-healthy diet can help you:

  • Lower cholesterol and blood pressure
  • Reach and maintain a healthy weight
  • Reduce inflammation

Your care team will help you decide what diet will work best. We recommend focusing on:

  • Fruits and vegetables, which are packed with vitamins, minerals and fiber
  • Whole grains, including foods like oats, brown rice and whole-grain bread, which support heart health
  • Lean proteins like fish, skinless poultry, beans and nuts
  • Low-fat dairy, such as milk, yogurt and cheese with less fat, which can help reduce cholesterol
  • Healthy fats like olive oil, avocado and nuts instead of butter or lard

We also encourage you to limit foods like:

  • Alcohol.
  • Added sugars. These are often hidden in sodas, sweets and processed foods.
  • Excessive salt. Too much salt can raise blood pressure.
  • Saturated and trans fats. These are found in fried foods, pastries and fatty meats.

Here are some simple tips to help you stick to a heart-healthy diet:

  • Plan meals ahead of time to make healthy choices easier.
  • Read food labels to check for hidden sugars, fats and salt.
  • Cook at home more often so you can control the ingredients.
  • Watch portion sizes to prevent overeating.

If you’re not sure where to start, our Heart-Healthy Nutrition Program can help you create a personalized eating plan. Small changes to your diet can make a big difference over time. Find what works for you, and make choices you can stick with.

Mental Health and Heart Disease

Living with heart disease can affect how you feel emotionally. Taking care of your mental health is just as important as managing your physical symptoms.

It’s normal to feel:

  • Anxiety about your health
  • Frustration with lifestyle changes
  • Sadness or depression

Your care team will help you watch for signs of depression and anxiety, such as:

  • Persistent sadness
  • Loss of interest in activities you used to enjoy
  • Excessive worry about your health

If you feel any of the symptoms above, we encourage you to:

  • Talk about your feelings with someone you trust
  • Stay connected with friends and family for support
  • Do activities you enjoy to improve your mood
  • Consider joining a support group or seeing a counselor

Our Cardiac Behavioral Medicine Program can help you and your family manage the emotional aspects of heart disease.

Monitor Yourself at Home

Taking an active role in your care can help you stay on top of your heart health. It can alert you to potential issues early. To get started with at-home care:

check-blood-pressure

Check your blood pressure at home

Use a reliable monitor, and measure at the same time each day. Keep a log of your readings to share with your care team during your appointments. This helps track your progress and detect any changes early.

recognize-warning-signs

Recognize warning signs

Watch for:

  • Chest pain or discomfort
  • Shortness of breath
  • Irregular heartbeat
  • Sudden fatigue or weakness

Recognizing these signs can help you address issues before they become serious.

heart-health-journal

Keep a heart health journal

This can help you and your care team identify patterns and adjust your care plan as needed.

  • Record daily symptoms to monitor changes in your health.
  • Log your medications and doses to stay consistent.
  • Track your diet and exercise.
  • Write down any questions for your care team to discuss at your next appointment.

Working With Your Care Team

Good communication with your care team is key. Your team may include several clinicians with varying types of expertise, including:

  • Primary care clinician
  • Cardiologist
  • Specially trained nurse practitioners or physician assistants
  • Nutritionist
  • Exercise specialist

To make sure everyone on your care team is aware of progress and changes in your condition or treatment, we suggest you:

  • Keep a list of all your clinicians and their contact information.
  • Make sure each clinician knows about the others involved in your care.
  • Ask your primary care clinician to coordinate your overall care.
  • Write down questions you want to ask.
  • Bring a list of your current medications to all appointments.
  • Note any changes in symptoms.
  • Bring recent test results or medical records to all appointments.

Most importantly, be sure to ask any questions or share any concerns you have. Your care team is here to help you manage your heart health so you can live a fuller and more active life.

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