Recovering from a heart attack
Few events in a person’s life cause greater impact than a heart attack. The sudden onset of pain in someone who seemed to be quite well, followed by admission to hospital, could leave anyone alarmed and anxious. Very often, heart attack victims and their families do not get enough guidance and help on what to do after a heart attack.
What happens
Coronary heart disease usually begins with atherosclerosis – the narrowing of the coronary arteries that carry blood to the heart.
A heart attack happens when there is a sudden blockage in one of those arteries, cutting off the blood supply to the heart. The blockage may be caused by atherosclerosis, or by a blood clot forming (a thrombosis), or by a combination of atherosclerosis and thrombosis.
Heart attacks vary in severity. Some happen without the person even realising it. They may only be discovered sometime later during a routine medical examination. Other heart attacks can be extremely severe and the victim has to be rushed to an intensive care unit. But within a few days the heart begins to heal and over a period of weeks scar tissue gradually replaces the damaged muscle.
Getting back to normal
If you have had a heart attack, your condition usually begins to show a marked improvement after about 48 hours as the risk of complications lessens, and you may be encouraged to get up and move around.
Avoid driving a car or travelling by air for the first two months. It is also best to avoid long journeys and rush hour driving.
You may be advised to avoid sexual intercourse during the first two months or so after an attack.
Most people are fit to return to work two or three months after the heart attack, but this varies depending on how severe the attack was. It is impossible to make general rules and it is best to discuss your specific case with your doctor.
To find out if you are entitled to any financial benefits, contact your local advice centre or Citizens Advice Bureau.
Emotional recovery may take much longer as the significance of what has happened sinks in and both you and your family come to terms with the reality of a heart attack.
You may find it helpful to contact organisations that can help with social support.
Avoiding future attacks
There is growing evidence that you can reduce the chance of another heart attack by following this advice:
* Give up smoking. If you smoke, stop immediately, while you’re still in hospital and the urge to give up is still strong. People who stop stand about half the chance of another attack compared with those who carry on smoking.
* Improve your diet and avoid being overweight. Talk to the hospital doctor and ask for advice on what to eat
* Take regular exercise. Your doctor can advise you on how much exercise to take and what sort. He or she may also be able to tell you if there are special exercise programmes in your area for people who have had a heart attack.