WHAT TO EXPECT AFTER A HEART ATTCK

After a Heart Attack, the healing process may seem to pass very slowly because you are asked to cut down on a number of activities. Patients feel depressed, particularly if they are free of any symptoms, since they feel they can achieve a lot more. This process might take several months, with regular trips to your doctor. Patients have to adjust to a totally different lifestyle.

Once the healing process is completed, most persons resume their normal regular activities, including returning to their job. Some patients may never have another heart attack, and this is the goal of this article. Another very important aspect in recovering after a Heart Attacks is your rehabilitation period, which is discussed later.

AT HOME AFTER A HEART ATTACK

1. IF YOU DEVELOP ANGINA, Shortness of Breath, arm or hand discomfort, you should stop what you are doing immediately, take your prescribed medication and rest for few minutes. When your symptoms disappear you may resume your activity at a slower pace and you should; notify your physician of what has happened, if the Angina persists go to the nearest Emergency Facility

2. GO TO THE NEAREST EMERGENCY FACILITY IF YOU EXPERIENCE;
Heavy pressure or chest pain which radiates to your shoulder, arm, neck and jaw and is not being relieved with prescribed medication
Increased shortness of breath
Fainting
Slow or rapid heart beat

3. SPACE YOUR ACTIVITIES TO ALLOW FOR YOUR HEART TO REST
Plan your work, spread harder tasks and alternate with easier ones
If you feel tired, stop and take 15 - 20 minutes rest. Do not push yourself
Do not do all of your activities at once. Rest in between
Do not hurry, pace your work
Plan to rest 20 - 30 minutes twice a day
You should get at least 6 - 8 hours of sleep every night

4. IF YOU DO HOUSEWORK FOLLOW THESE SUGGESTIONS;
Eliminate unnecessary tasks, such as drying dishes
Clean one room at a time, take a rest before going to the next
Do not move any furniture or heavy appliances
Make one side of the bed completely before going to the other side, to cut down on the number of times you have to walk around the bed
Try to sit down when ironing, and when preparing food, try to keep everything at your level rather than getting up every few minutes
Do not do anything that requires using yours arms above your shoulder level
Avoid washing any windows or cars

5. AVOID TENSING YOUR BODY
Do not strain when you have a bowl movement, ask your physician for laxatives
Do not lift any heavy objects, children, groceries, or suit cases, do not do any pushing or pulling
Do not strain opening stuck objects, such as boxes, jars, etc.,

6. WALK DAILY
Walk as much as you were walking at the Hospital before your discharge. You may walk when the weather is nice
Walk on level grounds, avoid any steps or hills
Avoid walking against the wind or in extreme cold weather, since these conditions make your heart work harder.
Take your walks after a period of rest
While walking if you experience any chest pain or discomfort you should immediately stop, sit down, rest and take your nitro (if you have your medication with you) until the pain is completely gone
If the pain does not subside call for help
When you start any kind of exercise program always start slow and increase it as you go along
If you must climb stairs, start slowly, climb them once a day. Avoid too many stairs at once and increase them as you go along

7. COLD AND WARM TEMPERATURES
During the winter time, avoid going out on windy days. If you must cover your mouth and nose with a handkerchief
In summer time go out early or late in the day so that you can avoid the high heat
Do not stay out for a long time

8. SEX LIKE ANY OTHER EXERCISE, AVOID IF:
You are tired, take a rest
If you have just eaten
If you have been drinking
If you are angry with your mate
If you experience any chest discomfort, stop and take a nitro
Next time take your nitro before engaging in any sexual activity

9. LONG TRIPS
Check with your physician prior to taking a long trip particularly if you are driving
Stop every hour and do some walking this will stimulate your circulation and prevent clot formation to your lower extremities
Check with your physician about going to the mountains or hot places

10. AVOID ARGUMENTS

11. TAKE A REST AFTER A MEAL

12. STOP SMOKING

13. SLOW DOWN

CONCLUSION
When a person is hospitalized because of a Heart Attack, they often become depressed. They associate heart attack with some disabling disease as they think they are becoming invalid. This particularly happens to those who had been very active prior to their Heart Attack. They become anxious about whether they will be able to resume full physical, social, professional and sexual activities. Usually, there should be no worries if, of course, the patient follows the prescribed protocol of treatment which is essential in the full recovery of the heart.

Like any other injury, it takes time for the healing process and unless this period of time is carefully followed, recurrent Heart Attack might follow. On the other hand, if the healing period is well followed, many patients never experience another Heart Attack ever again.

Related topics: The following links are important as they deal with diet and other related topics cocerning a healthy heart.

Paydot.com

Paydot.com

Paydot.com

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