After Heart Attack - Part 1

A heart attack is a frightening experience. Many people survive heart attack, but after heart attack? What then?

An after heart attack regimen may be difficult to imagine. Will you be able to do the things you did before your heart attack?

Your physician will help you work out a recovery plan.

Nice and Easy

After heart attack, you will need to return slowly to your normal life. Your doctor may insist that you rest for the first few days after heart attack. You may need to rest in the hospital to be sure your heart is beginning to recover from the trauma. It will be important to determine how strong the heart muscle is after heart attack.

Going Home After Heart Attack

A few days after heart attack, your physician will let you go home. He or she will probably prescribe light exercise. You may be encouraged to do stretching exercises. You may be urged to get up and walk. Your doctor does not want you to be afraid to move - to become a “cardiac cripple” after heart attack. Your activity will be determined by the condition of your heart.

Exercise Limitations

After heart attack and an appropriate recovery period, an exercise test (stress test) will probably be ordered by your physician. You will walk on a treadmill while the physician monitors your heart’s activity. This exercise test will help your physician advise you on future exercise.

Exercise is important after heart attack.

* Exercise will strengthen your heart and help it recover.
* Exercise will help you feel more energetic.
* Exercise will ward off after heart attack depression.
* Exercise will help you feel more in control.
* Exercise will help you lose excess WEIGHT and keep it off.
* Exercise will help you lower your Blood Pressure.
* Exercise will help you reduce your cholesterol level.

You may do initial exercise in your hospital’s physical therapy ward, with a physical therapist monitoring your heart. After that, your physician may ask you to join a rehabilitation group. For example, you may go to a local mall twice a week to stretch and walk with other heart attack patients. After a while, you’ll probably be able to exercise on your own.

Driving After Heart Attack

How long after heart attack can you drive again? How long must you wait? This is a good question to ask your doctor.

How long after heart attack you can drive again will vary. Most people should wait at least four to six weeks after heart attack before driving. Commercial drivers should wait at least three months after heart attack before driving again.

Why such a long wait? Your medications may slow your reaction time initially. Tiredness and weakness can do the same thing. Your own safety and the safety of others are at stake, so it is better to wait.