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After suffering a heart attack, there are several questions that arise in the minds of the patient and his family. The following pointers should help:
Physical activity
It takes approximately 4 to 6 weeks for your heart muscle to heal after a heart attack. It is important to your recovery that you balance activity, rest and gradual exercise. While rigorous exercise in the immediate few weeks after heart attack is not recommended, early mild to moderate exercising is encouraged.
Attending a cardiac rehabilitation programme can help. These programmes when run by good institutions, provide informative classes as well as medically supervised exercise sessions. The exercise sessions will assist you in getting to your best physical ability level, while setting safe guidelines for you.
Driving
It would be advisable to avoid driving for one month after a heart attack. Depending on the presence or absence of any complications and the nature of the treatment modalities, including angioplasty or cardiac bypass surgery, your cardiologist may suggest different time windows.
Work
Before you are discharged, discuss with your doctor when you will be able to return to work. Generally, it is advisable to be off work for one month. This one month window will again vary depending on your expected recovery time and the nature of your work.
Follow-up
Follow-up with your doctor after the heart attack is just as crucial as your treatment. Your follow-up visits help your doctor to assess the effectiveness of the medications that you should be on and the adequacy of control of the heart attack risk factors. Remember, it is extremely important to reduce the risk of a second heart attack.
Travel
Refrain from making any long-distance travel plans without first discussing with your doctor. Travelling by airplane is usually not recommended for 6-8 weeks after a heart attack. As more and more Indians are getting medical insurance coverage, it is important to check with your insurance company as to their policy on travel limitations.
Sexual activity
About two weeks after a heart attack, sexual activity may be resumed in a gradual fashion. If you are able to climb two flights of stairs without much difficulty, you should be able to resume sexual activity. Again, this time window may change for individual patients and your doctor should be consulted regarding this.
Emotional feelings
Patients may feel frustration, anger, depression and fear after a heart attack. Emotional stability to a large extent depends on a patient’s other life issues and the availability of good family support. The financial impact from medical expenses, concern about family’s welfare and worry about job security, etc., may be affecting the patient’s and his family’s mental status. Awareness of these issues behind the emotions will help the patient and his family to rally around each other and overcome the situation.
Alcohol
Too much alcohol can reduce the pumping action of the heart, raise the blood pressure and can raise the triglyceride levels in the blood.
Some high blood pressure medications can have an adverse reaction when mixed with alcohol. Hence, alcohol is best avoided and if consumed, should be in moderation.
Caffeine
Coffee and even tea contains caffeine, which can increase the heart rate. If you are prone to a rapid irregular heartbeat you should avoid it. Otherwise, it may be used in moderation (2 cups a day).
Medications
Many of the medications prescribed after a heart attack are key factors in reducing the risk of a second heart attack. Therefore, it is of crucial importance to be taking your medications regularly. It is also important to discuss the side-effects of these medications with your doctor. Some of the side-effects could produce symptoms like dizziness, loss of consciousness, muscle pain or sexual dysfunction. It is important to recognise side-effects and notify your doctor, so he can make necessary changes to your medications.
Additional precautions:
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Know your limits. Do not push yourself when your body is unwilling to do so.
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After a meal, wait 30 min to an hour before starting physical activities.
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Avoid activities that involve pushing and pulling, especially with heavy loads. This
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kind of physical activity strains the heart significantly.
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Avoid lifting more than 20 pounds or carrying more than 15 pounds.
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In the summer, choose the morning or evening hours for activities or walking out of doors and wear light, loose clothes.
Always consult with your doctor for any specific questions.
Dr G Balachander
Cardiologist
Illinois, USA
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Tips for life after a heart attack
