The short answer
Lifestyle is part of the treatment for coronary artery disease, not an extra. Alongside your medicines, regular activity, good food choices and not smoking help ease symptoms, slow the disease and lower your chance of another heart event. Small, consistent changes count more than perfection.
Why lifestyle matters
Medicines and procedures treat the arteries. Daily habits affect your whole circulation. They work best together.
Fewer symptoms
Less angina, such as chest pain and breathlessness.
More energy
Better exercise tolerance and energy for day-to-day life.
Lower risk
A lower chance of heart attack and other heart problems.
Staying active
Helps you keep doing the things you enjoy for longer.
After a heart attack or stent
The first months after a heart attack, stent or bypass surgery bring a few practical milestones. Your cardiologist will tailor these to you.
Driving
A short break from driving is required. The time depends on your procedure and licence type.
Cardiac rehab
A program of supervised exercise and education, usually over about 6–12 weeks.
Blood thinners
After a heart attack, two antiplatelet medicines are usually taken for about 12 months, adjusted to you.
Flu vaccine
Have a flu vaccine every year.
Sex and intimacy
Usually reasonable once mild to moderate activity is free of symptoms.
Driving
For a private licence, the usual minimum is 2 days after a planned stent, 2 weeks after a heart attack and 4 weeks after bypass surgery. For a commercial licence, it is 4 weeks after a stent, 4 weeks after a heart attack and 3 months after bypass surgery. You need your doctor's clearance, and WA Department of Transport rules apply. These times come from the national Austroads standards and may be longer if you have other heart problems.
Physical activity
Regular movement is an effective treatment for coronary artery disease. It improves circulation, strengthens the heart and can ease symptoms over time. Walking is a practical way to start. Begin slowly and build up gradually, guided by your cardiac rehab team or doctor.
Feeling mildly short of breath during activity is normal. Stop and seek advice if you have chest discomfort, dizziness or unusual breathlessness.
Cardiac rehabilitation
After a heart attack, stent or bypass surgery, or a diagnosis of angina, you should be offered a cardiac rehabilitation program. These programs combine supervised exercise, education and support, usually over 6–12 weeks, in person, by phone or online. Studies show they reduce future heart attacks and hospital admissions. Ask your cardiologist or GP for a referral. Many programs in Western Australia are free or low cost.
Heart-healthy eating
Eating patterns such as the Mediterranean and DASH-style diets lower the risk of heart disease over time. The habits that help most are the ones you can enjoy and keep up.
Mostly plants
Vegetables, fruit, legumes, whole grains and nuts, with fish or lean poultry.
Less added sugar
Cutting back on sugary drinks and refined carbohydrates helps weight and heart health.
Healthier fats
Choose olive oil, nuts, seeds and oily fish over saturated fats.
Less salt
Keeping salt low helps control blood pressure.
Weight, blood pressure and cholesterol
Healthy weight
Even modest, gradual weight loss can improve blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar. Aim for steady progress rather than strict dieting.
Blood pressure
Keeping blood pressure in a healthy range protects the heart, brain and kidneys. Activity and less salt work alongside medicine.
Cholesterol
Lowering cholesterol slows plaque build-up and helps stabilise existing plaque. It matters even when you feel well.
Smoking and vaping
Stopping smoking or vaping is one of the most effective steps you can take to slow coronary disease. The benefits begin quickly, and it is never too late to gain from quitting. Support makes success more likely: call Quitline on 13 7848 or ask your GP about medicines that help.
Mood, stress and sleep
Low mood is common after a heart event. If you feel down, anxious or unlike yourself for more than a couple of weeks, tell your GP. Help is available and it can make a real difference to recovery.
Ongoing stress can raise blood pressure and make symptoms more noticeable. Poor sleep affects energy, blood sugar and weight. Regular routines, gentle activity, relaxation techniques and talking with people you trust all help.
Medicines and lifestyle work together
Medicines treat the underlying drivers of heart disease, while daily habits shape how well your heart does over time. One does not replace the other. Feeling well does not mean treatment is no longer needed, so don't change or stop medicines without advice.
- Take your medicines every day as prescribed, and keep an up-to-date list with you.
- Keep your GTN spray with you and know how to use it.
- Don't use GTN within 24 hours of taking sildenafil (or within 48 hours of tadalafil), which are erectile dysfunction tablets. The combination can drop your blood pressure severely. Tell paramedics or hospital staff if you have taken one.
- Have a flu vaccine every year.
- Review your plan with your GP or cardiologist regularly so it stays right for you.
Guidance on antiplatelet medicines, cardiac rehabilitation and follow-up after a heart attack is based on the 2025 National Heart Foundation of Australia and CSANZ acute coronary syndrome guideline.
A plan that fits your life
There is no single right way to live with coronary artery disease. The aim is a plan that fits your daily routine, respects your priorities and helps you feel better without feeling restricted. Many people with heart disease live active, full lives. Your GP and cardiologist can help you work out the next steps that suit you.
For GPs
- Cardiac rehab: refer all patients after ACS, PCI, CABG or a new angina diagnosis, including home-based or telehealth options. Exercise-based programs reduce MI and hospital admissions. (Cochrane 2021; NHFA/CSANZ ACS guideline 2025)
- Antiplatelets: DAPT is usually continued for about 12 months after ACS, individualised to bleeding risk; reinforce that patients should not stop it without cardiology advice. (NHFA/CSANZ ACS guideline 2025)
- Mood: screen for depression at diagnosis and follow-up (PHQ-2 then PHQ-9). Consider a Mental Health Treatment Plan. (Heart Foundation 2013)
- Each visit: review LDL-C at target, BP, HbA1c, smoking, antiplatelet adherence, GTN script and action plan, and annual influenza vaccination. Check for PDE-5 inhibitor use with nitrates.
- Driving (Austroads): private: at least 2 days after elective PCI, 2 weeks after MI, 4 weeks after CABG. Commercial: 4 weeks after PCI, 4 weeks after MI, 3 months after CABG, with specialist review. WA Department of Transport requirements apply.
- Allied health: use a GP Chronic Condition Management Plan for Medicare-subsidised dietitian or exercise physiologist visits where eligible.
General information for referring practitioners. Check current MBS and PBS criteria before acting.