“As serious as a heart attack” became an expression simply due to the severity of the cardiac event. Having a heart attack is scary. Consequently, resuming life as you were pre-heart attack can be almost impossible. In some ways, that might be a good thing, because you likely need to make some lifestyle changes. However, you can’t become scared to live your life simply because you have experienced the life-altering event of a heart attack. To reduce your risk of ever experiencing a heart attack again and to embrace your new post-attack existence, read the following tips:
How to Prevent Heart Attack Recurrence in Honor of National Heart Health Month
Take Prescribed Medication
If your doctor prescribed certain medication for you to take regularly after your heart attack, follow their orders. Sure, not all medications are fun to take. There are side effects. We understand. However, your doctor knows what they are doing, so heed their advice and keep the proper medication in your system. Doing so will reduce your risk of ever experiencing another heart attack. If you are struggling to endure specific side effects, talk to your doctor. Perhaps they can switch the medication to another brand to reduce side effects.
Go Through Cardiac Rehabilitation
If your doctor recommends cardiac rehabilitation, make sure to attend. Cardiac rehabilitation is a medically supervised program that is created for heart attack survivors. It was designed to help patients rehabilitate properly after going through the trauma of a heart attack.
Don’t Skip Out on Follow-Up Appointments
Once you are feeling better and your heart attack becomes more and more of a memory, you can tend to skip out on follow up doctor visits. Don’t! Each appointment, though they might seem repetitive to you, is designed to monitor your cardiac progress and prevent another episode from happening. Be honest with your doctor during these visits. Tell them your fears and concerns. Bring up any issues with medication side effects or diet, but whatever you do, go to your appointments. They are necessary.
Manage Post Heart Attack Risk Factors
While you might not know exactly what caused your first heart attack, you can reduce your risk for subsequent attacks by managing known risks. This includes adhering to a specific diet, taking all your prescribed medications, ending bad habits like smoking and more. This can also include beginning and continuing an exercise regimen designed to work your heart.
Get Support
Having a heart attack is scary. It’s normal to feel a little overwhelmed, not only with your recovery, but with your life post heart attack. Thankfully, there are many support groups out there where you can meet with other survivors, share stories and encourage each other throughout your recovery process. You are not alone as a heart attack survivor, so why approach your recovery alone?
As a heart attack survivor, you should feel blessed to still be living life here on earth each day. However, that doesn’t mean that this process of recovery will automatically be easy for you. In fact, it will likely be difficult. After all, your life will likely change in virtually every aspect after experiencing such a life-altering event. Thankfully, by embracing the above tips, you are well on your way to living life well after a heart attack.
Sources:
https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/cardiac-rehab
http://supportnetwork.heart.org/heart-attack
https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/heart-attack/life-after-a-heart-attack
