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Your physician’s advice can be reassuring, and is particularly beneficial in establishing a prompt and accurate diagnosis. Electrocardiograms and blood tests for heart enzymes can aid in establishing the diagnosis. Temporary monitoring of the heart rhythm may be essential to observe for threatening signs of rhythm abnormality (arrhythmia). With our modern technologic emphasis on cardiopulmonary resuscitation and emergency care, many lives have been spared. Nevertheless, it remains questionable whether our state-of-the-art coronary care units considered so essential in the United States do significantly reduce mortality from these attacks. In Great Britain, many heart attacks are treated at home, and with careful observation, rest and home nursing care, survival is about the same. Usually the sufferer of a heart attack is well advised to stay in bed. With frequent movement of arms and legs to prevent blood clots (thrombosis) and deep breathing exercises to keep the lungs ventilated (preventing atelectasis— collapsed air sacs in the lungs), bed rest provides the safest treatment for each acute episode. Oxygen is usually administered and vital signs carefully monitored to detect any rhythm disturbances or signs of heart failure. Serve the patient a liquids only diet for a day or two, then a gradual progression to healthful solid foods at regular intervals (5 or 6 hours between each meal). Recommended exercise consists of steady, progressive activity in the room, then inside the home, and finally carefully supervised cardiac reconditioning through prescribed outdoor exercises such as walking. These methods will enable most of afflicted heart patients to return to their desired level of function, eventually enjoying as good if not better health than before the heart attack. We have seen this happen in reconditioning centers around the country, including at Poland Spring. Cardiac preventive exercises today are taking many forms. Although some doctors recommend no specific program, most physicians believe in exercise, Many are enthusiastic about fitness, some even joggers. Because of the orthopedic disadvantages, the risks, and the lack of objective data that running really saves lives. I believe that our main emphasis should be on walking. After a brief warm-up period, the fitness walker can begin at his most comfortable leisurely pace, then gradually increase the time, distance, and speed of this activity. Dr. Kenneth Cooper’ s “Aerobics” program, Dr. Dean Ornish’s books, and many other popular books on heart disease prevention contain guidelines for the prudent approach to heart reconditioning. Years of experience at both the Wildwood Lifestyle Center & Hospital and the Poland Spring Health Institute have convinced me that walking is your best overall protective exercise for the heart, the nerves, healthy blood vessels, optimum weight control, and normalizing the blood pressure for