Diseases of the Coronary Arteries and Heart Valves

If you minimise your risk factors, you can slow down the progression of this disease:

• Blood pressure: Control measurement every three to five years for all men and women, beginning at age 18. Annually, in case of personal risk factors, such as severe obesity.

• Cholesterol: Control measurements every five years for men between the ages of 35 and 65, for women between the ages of 45 and 65. For high-risk patients (e.g. cardiovascular diseases in the family), at least every five years beginning at age 20, or as recommended by the doctor.

• Blood glucose: Every three years for men and women over the age of 45; for high-risk patients (e.g. diabetes in the family, high blood pressure, severe overweight), as recommended by the doctor.

• Consistent medication therapy in the event of these three risk factors is central to reducing the risk of chronic heart failure.

• Quit smoking, reduce excess weight, create a balance between private and professional life with sufficient rest and exercise, eat healthily. Take these issues to heart. If necessary, have a specialist support you.

• Conservative (non-surgical) treatment measures consist of medication therapies: for example, anti-hypertensive and diuretic medication in the event of heart failure, or anticoagulants to prevent blood clots. Your cardiologist will determine the appropriate medication therapy.

• It is important, and part of the therapy, to adapt your lifestyle: Stop smoking, drink alcohol in moderation, adopt a healthy diet, reduce excess weight, conduct suitable endurance and muscle training, alone or in a group, and get enough rest.

• In case of an acute deterioration in health, contact your doctor.

Do you need surgery?

• During a personal conversation, we will show you, on the basis of the results, which hospitals throughout Switzerland have excelled over the years the interventions for coronary arteries and heart valves in terms of quality and efficiency.

• Use our consulting offer to find out which hospital is most suitable for your treatment.

• Naturally, you still have the choice of when and where you would like to be treated, in line with your basic and supplementary insurances.

• The social service of the hospital organises inpatient or, if your state of health allows it, outpatient cardiac rehabilitation after hospital discharge. Outpatient rehabilitations are just as effective as inpatient rehabilitation. Apply for the reimbursement of the cost of rehabilitation through your doctor already before you are admitted into the hospital – this way, you can avoid waiting times in the hospital.

• With outpatient cardiac rehabilitation, you live at home. For six to twelve weeks, you go to a hospital or a larger medical centre several times a week for rehabilitative measures. Inpatient rehabilitation in a specialised clinic usually lasts three weeks. With both rehabilitation possibilities, specialists will help you develop an appropriate exercise program, adopt a healthy diet, find the right dosage for your medication, recognize the warning signals sent by your body and better understand your illness.

• You will probably have to take medication for the rest of your life in order to strengthen your heart and to reduce the risk of progression of the underlying disease. Therefore, pay attention to the explanations of your cardiologist.

• Enter your vital signs (e.g. blood pressure) and medication (e.g. blood thinning tablets) diligently into your medication passport.

• Living with a chronic illness requires very good self-management in order to be able to successfully master the various challenges in everyday life. Our Chronic Care Coaching can support you in doing so.