My Healthy Heart Articles
Getting Back On Your Feet: Recovering from Heart Attack
09/19/07
Living Well, Treatment Options, Disease Basics, General
Heart attack deals a devastating medical blow. It can rob its victims of health and their sense of security. However, recovery is possible in many cases. The process requires detailed planning and long-term dedication, but is well worth the sacrifice. With medical advances and carefully structured cardiac rehabilitation programs, patients can eventually return to normal activity.
Most hospital stays after heart attack last a few days to a week. The same care and treatment given in the hospital should be continued at home. Heart attack sufferers should slowly ease back into work, exercise, and other normal activities under the guidance of their physicians. Returning to previous levels of activity may take a few weeks, or it may take a few months.
There are some things patients can do to improve their recovery. According to the Texas Heart Institute, patients should:
- Reduce or manage stress
- Avoid temperature extremes
- Avoid conditions or situations that place an extra load on the heart
- Participate in some form of physician-approved exercise
- Modify diet to include healthier food
- Quit smoking
- Maintain a positive attitude
Most of that medical advice is incorporated into a cardiac rehabilitation program designed to help heart attack or other heart disease patients get back on their feet.
Cardiac Rehabilitation
One key part of recovering from heart attack is developing a personal cardiac rehabilitation program. These programs are designed to support the physical and emotional challenges patients face after heart attack. It involves medical counseling, and modifying exercise and lifestyle habits. The ultimate goal of a cardiac rehabilitation program is to stabilize, slow, or reverse the progression of heart disease. As you plan your cardiac rehabilitation program, you may consult with cardiologists, primary care physicians, nutritionists, or exercise specialists.
The American Heart Association identifies the following elements of a cardiac rehabilitation program:
- Counseling to help you understand and manage the disease
- Development of an exercise program
- Nutrition education
- Modifying risk factors (discussed above)
- Vocational counseling to help you return to work
- Identifying physical limitations
- Lending emotional support
- Using prescribed medications appropriately
The key to successfully navigating your cardiac rehabilitation program is perseverance; it will only work if you stick to it. And though some parts of the program may be demanding, the benefits of the program will not only improve your heart's health but it will also increase your overall health and improve your quality of life.
As you wend your way down the road to a healthier heart, we invite you to use the resources at My Healthy Heart Info as well as the links below along the way.
For more heart health information, visit the American Heart Association Web site.
The Canadian Heart and Stroke Foundation also has an excellent guide for people looking to heal their heart. For more information, click here.
