Post Heart Attack: What to do?

Suffering a heart attack can not only be life threatening, but also physically and emotionally draining. So what should you know about your condition post episode?

Suffering a heart attack can not only be life threatening, but also physically and emotionally draining. So what should you know about your condition post episode?Your Healing Heart:Your heart begins to heal soon after a heart attack. Scar tissue will actually form on the area of your heart that was deprived of oxygen. This scar tissue will no longer contract or add to the heart’s pumping action. The amount of tissue that is injured depends on the size of the area that is supplied by the blocked artery and how long the artery stayed blocked. If the artery was not totally blocked, or if a clot-busting drug was given, damage may be minimal.Home Activity: For the first 1-2 weeks after your heart attack, it is normal to feel tired or weak. This is because your heart is still healing, and you have spent several days (or more) in bed. Your body has become deconditioned and it will take time to rebuild your strength. For the first few days or so, take it easy and get plenty of rest. Then, gradually start to resume your normal activities such as stair climbing and cleaning. Space your activities, allowing time to rest if you get tired. Avoid lifting, pushing or pulling heavy objects until your doctor says you may resume these activities. Most patients can drive after the first week. Ask your doctor or Cardiac Rehabilitation specialist about driving and other physical activity.Help! I’m So Emotional:It is very normal to be overly emotional after a heart attack or any health crisis. Feelings of depression, anger, and fear are quite common; family members are likely to experience these feelings as well. This is generally a part of the healing process and will resolve with time. It is important to be able to talk about your feelings and discuss your heart attack and recovery. See your Cardiac Rehabilitation specialist for information on support groups or counseling.Is It Safe To Have Sex?:Resuming sexual activity is an important part of getting your life back to normal, but it can also cause fear and anxiety for you and your partner. The most common fear is that sex will be too strenuous and cause another heart attack. Generally, having sexual intercourse with your spouse or regular partner is no more strenuous than briskly walking a half mile or climbing two flights of stairs. If performing these activities leads to angina, shortness of breath or extreme fatigue, see your doctor before resuming sexual activity. The best thing you and your partner can do is to be open and honest about your thoughts and feelings. It is also wise to avoid strenuous positions, and wait at least a half hour after eating. Certain heart medications, in addition to anxiety, can interfere with sexual arousal and performance. Speak with your doctor or Cardiac Rehabilitation staff member if you have any questions or concerns. When Should I Be Worried?:After having a heart attack, you may find that you are very sensitive to every ache, pain or twinge that you feel. You’ll probably wonder, “is it my heart, or is it a muscle ache, indigestion or something else?” With time you will know the difference between heart pain and pain that is something else. Generally, pain from your heart will feel similar to the pain or discomfort that you felt during your heart attack. For example, if you had pain radiating to your left arm when you had your heart attack, that is how your angina will typically feel (although it may be less severe). Any kind of different pain or discomfort is most likely not coming from your heart.Also, quick pains that come and go are not usually from the heart; angina is more likely to linger. You should definitely call your doctor if your symptoms of angina change. For example, if your angina occurs more frequently, is more severe, lasts longer or radiates to other areas. Nitroglycerin:Quite often you will be prescribed nitroglycerin tablets or spray after a heart attack. If you have angina-like symptoms, you should immediately stop what you are doing and rest. If the discomfort continues, take a nitroglycerin and wait five minutes. If the discomfort remains after taking three doses five minutes apart, call your doctor, have someone drive you to the emergency room or call for an ambulance. (Sourec: John Hopkins University, ACRA Australia, Jan 2004)