What to Expect in Life After a heart Attack?

Life after a heart attack - expect to have changes in your lifestyle if you want to avoid having another attack. The change can be major or minimal depending on the kind of life you had prior to the attack. If you were living a carefree life, not being mindful of what you eat and you don’t exercise much, then you’ll find the change to be drastic.  To understand why such change is necessary, let’s look at the cause of heart attacks.  

What causes a heart attack? 

Heart attack happens when an artery is blocked and blood rich in oxygen cannot reach the heart. Every time we eat fatty food or food high in cholesterol, it accumulates and form deposits called plaques. Plaques cause passage ways to narrow or be completely blocked. Plaques can also rupture and cause blood clots and blood won’t be able to pass through, starving the heart of oxygen-rich blood. This is when an attack happens, then you start experiencing heart attack signs such as:  

• Profuse sweating 
• Pain or discomfort in the chest 
• Pain or heavy feeling in the shoulders, jaw, arms, neck 
• Dizziness, nausea, light-headedness  
• Shortness of breath 
• Fatigue  
• Pain in the stomach or abdomen 

 I survived a heart attack. What now? 

• Your physician is expected to have prescribed blood thinning medication and to manage cholesterol and blood pressure. Be diligent in taking your medication as prescribed. 
• Keep doctor appointments so they could consistently monitor your heart condition. 
•  Join a cardiac rehabilitation program. They can help you recover in many ways. They can give you more knowledge about your condition, warn you of risks and problems to expect, and inspire you to live a healthier life.  
• Keep away from smoking and drinking. If you are already into this habit, seek help on how you can kick it off. 
• Do what you can to reduce stress if you can’t avoid it entirely.  

Returning to your normal routine 

Ask your doctor when it will be best for you to resume to your normal activities. Especially ones that require you to exert much physical effort. Usually, other people go back to their daily activities within weeks after they had a heart attack.  

In terms of driving, know your state laws pertaining to it. If you aren’t feeling any recurring symptom, you might be able to drive again within a week. 

Sexual activity can also resume within a few weeks after a heart attack but again, it’s best to ask your doctor about it first. 

After a heart attack what happens?

It is normal to find yourself depressed from time to time. You might be worried about having another heart attack at any time or you may be worried about medical costs accumulating especially if your doctor suggested a procedure like angioplasty or a heart bypass surgery. This is where a support group can be very helpful. You’ll be able to discuss with fellow patients your struggles and help each other cope. Ask your doctor for a patient support group in your area.  

Getting support from your family and friends is also helpful for your recovery and fight against another heart attack. Be with them as often as possible. It’s one of the ways you can relieve stress and anxiety which is good for your heart.