linkWhat to Do After Surviving a
Attack
Take it easy
Medications
Rehab
Lifestyle
Emergencies
Outlook
The aftermath of a
attack
A
attack is a life-threatening medical condition in which the blood flowing to the
suddenly stops due to a blocked coronary artery. Damage to surrounding tissues occurs immediately.
Surviving a
attack ultimately depends on the severity of the condition as well as how quickly it’s treated.
You’ll need to be treated for coronary
disease after you survive a
attack. Adherence to the correct form of treatment may help prevent future
attacks.
The thought of another
attack is a frightening prospect. Knowing what to do after surviving one can significantly reduce the odds of suffering from another attack.
Take it easy
Take it easy until your doctor says so
A
attack is a life-threatening event — you’re lucky to have survived such a serious medical incident. Although you might start feeling better within a couple of weeks, it’s crucial that you avoid pushing yourself too soon.
It may take up to three months before your doctor gives you consent to go back to work.
Ease back gradually into your everyday routine so you don’t risk a relapse. You may have to modify your daily activities if they’re stressful.
Your doctor will likely advise you to hold off on sex and other physical activities for at least two weeks.
Medications
Clarify any questions about medications
Medications are just one part of a typical post–
attack treatment plan. The medications your doctor prescribes for you will be based on how much your
was damaged as well as your other risk factors.
Your doctor might prescribe drugs for
high blood pressure (hypertension)
high cholesterol
chest pain
diabetes
weight loss
overall discomfort
Rehab
Enter cardiac rehab
You’ll need to enter a cardiac rehabilitation program as well. These programs are run by doctors and other medical professionals. They’re designed to monitor your condition and recovery process after a
attack.
Along with education about lifestyle changes, your cardiac risk factors will be monitored to ensure a healthy recovery. The AHA recommends that you monitor your cardiac risk factors as well.
Possible goal numbers for your risk factors include:
blood pressure lower than 140/90 mmHg (millimeters of mercury)
waist circumference lower than 35 inches for women and lower than 40 inches for men
body mass index (BMI) between 18.5 and 24.9
blood cholesterol under 180 mg/dL (milligrams per deciliter)
blood glucose under 100 mg/dL (during times of normal fasting)
You’ll obtain regular readings of these metrics during cardiac rehabilitation. However, it helps to remain aware of these numbers well beyond rehab.
Lifestyle
Make over your lifestyle
A
-healthy lifestyle can complement a medical treatment plan for
disease. Consider your current lifestyle habits and look for ways you might improve them.
Exercise
As long as your doctor gives you the go-ahead, you may begin an exercise program after you recover from a
attack. Regular exercise is certainly important for weight maintenance, but it also works your muscles — the most important muscle being your
.
Any form of exercise that gets your blood pumping is beneficial. When it comes to
health, however, aerobic exercise is best. Examples include:
swimming
bicycling
jogging or running
walking at a moderate to brisk pace
These forms of exercise help increase the amount of oxygen circulating in your body and also strengthen the
’s ability to pump it through the bloodstream to the rest of your body. As an added bonus, regular aerobic exercise also helps reduce hypertension, stress, and cholesterol.
If you notice any unusual symptoms during exercise, such as prolonged shortness of breath, weak limbs, or chest pain, stop right away and call 911 or seek emergency medical attention.
Eat right
A low-fat, low-calorie diet has been proven to help prevent the risk for a
attack. However, if you have already had a
attack, eating right is simply a must to prevent future occurrences.
Avoid trans fats and saturated fats whenever possible. These fats directly contribute to plaque formation in the arteries. When your arteries become clogged, blood can no longer flow to the
, resulting in a
attack.
Eating too many calories and being overweight can also strain your
. Controlling your weight and eating a balance of plant foods, lean meats, and low-fat dairy products can help. Avoid animal fats. Instead, eat fats that come from plant sources, such as olive oil or nuts.
Quit smoking
You may have considered quitting in the past, but doing so is even more crucial after a
attack.
Smoking is a risk factor for
disease because it increases your blood pressure and risk for clots by reducing oxygen cells within the bloodstream. This means that your
works harder to pump blood and has fewer healthy oxygen cells to maintain optimal performance.
Quitting now can significantly improve your overall health and also reduce the occurrence of future
attacks. Be sure to avoid secondhand smoke too, as it poses similar dangers in terms of
health.
Control other risk factors
disease can run in families, but the majority of
attacks may be attributed to lifestyle choices. Aside from diet, exercise, and smoking habits, it’s important to control other risk factors that might contribute to future
attacks. Talk to your doctor about:
hypertension
high cholesterol
diabetes
thyroid disease
unusual amounts of stress
mental health concerns, such as anxiety and depression
Emergencies
Know when to seek medical attention
You’re at a huge risk for having another
attack after you recover from your first one.
It’s vital that you stay in tune with your body and report any symptoms to your doctor immediately, even if they only seem slight.
Call 911 or seek emergency medical attention if you experience:
sudden and extreme fatigue
chest pain, and pain that travels to one or both arms
rapid heartbeat
sweatiness (without exercising)
dizziness and/or faintness
leg swelling
shortness of breath
Outlook
Long-term outlook
Improving your
health after a
attack depends on how well you adhere to your doctor’s treatment plan. It also depends on your ability to identify potential problems.
You should also be aware of the difference in treatment outcomes between men and women after a
attack. Researchers found that 42 percent of women die within one year of having a
attack, compared to 24 percent of men.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 735,000 people have
attacks every year in the United States and that 210,000 of these are people who’ve had a
attack previously.
Knowing your risk factors and making over your lifestyle can help you become a survivor for life.
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