Patients with SIHD should have an individualized education plan to optimize care and promote well- ness, including: a. education on the importance of medication adher- ence for managing symptoms and retarding dis- ease progression437 439 (Level of Evidence: C); b. an explanation of medication management and cardiovascular risk reduction strategies in a man- ner that respects the patient s level of under- standing, reading comprehension, and ethnic- ity8,440 444 (Level of Evidence: B); c. a comprehensive review of all therapeutic op- tions8,441 444 (Level of Evidence: B); d. a description of appropriate levels of exercise, with encouragement to maintain recommended levels of daily physical activity8,445 448 (Level of Evidence: C); e. introduction to self-monitoring skills445,447,448 (Level of Evidence: C); and f. information on how to recognize worsening car- diovascular symptoms and take appropriate ac- tion. (Level of Evidence: C) 2. Patients with SIHD should be educated about the following lifestyle elements that could influence prognosis: weight control, maintenance of a BMI of , and maintenance of a waist circumference less than 102 cm (40 inches) in men and less than 88 cm (35 inches) in women (less for certain racial groups)8,440,449 452; lipid manage- ment18; BP control17,453; smoking cessation and avoidance of exposure to secondhand smoke8,454,455; and individualized medical, nutrition, and lifestyle changes for patients with diabetes mellitus to sup- plement diabetes treatment goals and education.456 (Level of Evidence: C) Class IIa 1. 