The
one thing I'm frequently asked about a heart attack is 'will my life ever be normal
again'? The answer in the majority of cases is yes and your health may even improve.
Right
now you are probably feeling very vulnerable but there are lots of positive things
you can do to help yourself.
What
is a heart attack?
A
heart attack occurs when the blood supply to part of the heart muscle (myocardium)
is severely restricted or blocked. This is usually caused by a blood clot in a
vessel already narrowed by fatty deposits (atherosclerosis).
If the blood
supply is cut off for more than a few minutes the heart muscle cells can suffer
permanent injury through lack of oxygen. Surviving
the heart attack is the beginning of the recovery process. Most
heart attack patients are discharged home on medication, which was started in
hospital. It is very important to continue to take these medicines exactly as
prescribed. Any problems or side effects with the meds should be discussed with
your family doctor. After
a period of one to three weeks you may well be referred to a cardiac rehabilitation
program. Cardiac
rehabilitation has four main parts:
1.
Medical evaluation
2. Exercise
3. Lifestyle changes
4. Emotional support
Medical
Evaluation The
medical evaluation allows your health care team to come up with a rehabilitation
program specifically tailored to your needs.
They will assess your physical
abilities, any risk factors and take into account any other medical conditions
you may have.
Exercise
Just
when you think you should be resting your team will be eager for you to improve
your cardiovascular fitness through exercises such as walking, swimming or cycling.
This can come as a shock to the system if you have never exercised before but
don't worry - you will be allowed to proceed at your own pace. Once
you're through the early period after a heart attack your doctor will probably
want you to do an exercise test, also called a stress test. During this test,
you will be asked to exercise on a treadmill while your heart is monitored. Based
on the results an exercise plan will be developed for you. Exercise
strengthens your heart muscle. It also increases your stamina and can help you
feel more in control of your health as well as helping with weight control. It
is a vital part of your recovery.
Lifestyle
changes reduce the risk of a further attack and increase life expectancy.
This
is where you get involved in your treatment and take responsibility for your health.
Your
previous lifestyle obviously wasn't doing you a lot of good or you wouldn't have
had the heart attack in the first place. It's not easy to change the habits of
a lifetime but it is easier than undergoing quadruple bypass surgery! Take the
changes one at a time and don't allow them to overwhelm you.
Quit
smoking Reduce
dietary intake of fat, sodium and cholesterol Increase
fibre intake Lose
weight
Weight
Loss Emotional
support
Improved treatment and rehab can help a person recover more quickly from the physical
effects of a heart attack but the psychological effects can take longer to adjust
to. Fear, anger and depression are common after such a traumatic event.
There
can be fear of dying or not being able to work again. Anger that it has happened
to you and depression such as thinking you might not be the same again. Your family
may also feel fear and guilt. These
feelings are normal and will pass with time but need to be addressed - don't bottle
them up. Be patient, discuss how you feel with your medical team and if your doctor
feels it is necessary he/she can arrange for counselling. ©
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