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Life after a Heart AttackComing to terms with a heart attackA heart attack can be a frightening experience, especially if you have, until then, enjoyed excellent health. While in hospital, many people react with fear and anxiety, possibly made worse by pain and the distress of being surrounded by machines in an unfamiliar environment. Most of the risk to life happens within the first few hours after heart attack. When the early hours of the heart attack are safely over, most people usually feel less anxious. Some people may start to feel anxious again when they move to the general ward and lose the relationship that they have built up with the nurses on the coronary care unit. In the general ward, there are many new people to get to know, and there is not the same intense observation by hospital staff. But moving to the general ward means that the doctors feel that the period of danger has passed and that there is good reason for optimism. (However, more and more hospitals now have specialised cardiac wards where you are looked after by the same nursing team throughout your stay in hospital). Many people also worry when the time comes to go home. Away from medical care, the patient may worry about being left alone or about what to do if the pain comes back. This early period at home may also be difficult for partners, who have to strike a balance between either allowing the patient to do too much or ‘wrapping them up in cotton wool’. Advice can be sought from hospital staff, the cardiac rehabilitation team, GP and the district or cardiac nurses. It is important to note that everyone is different and that the advice given should be relevant to each individual patient. Some parts of the UK have ‘cardiac liaison nurses’. A cardiac liaison nurse may contact the patient in the first week they leave hospital, and may visit to offer reassurance, answer any questions and give advice on how to reduce the risk of further heart disease. Feelings and relationships after a heart attackFears and changing emotions are normal after a heart attack. Patients may feel:
Can a heart attack happen again? Many people wonder if they will have another heart attack. Once the first few days are over, the chance of having another heart attack is not great and, as time goes by, it becomes less and less. There is still a risk, but it can be greatly reduced by adopting healthy habits and taking suitable medicines. This is called ‘secondary prevention’. Going on a cardiac rehabilitation programme will help to work out ways of having a healthier lifestyle and reduce the chances of having another heart attack. It is natural to feel a bit nervous about exercising after a heart attack. However, the heart is a muscle and like any other muscle in the body, it needs exercise to keep it in tip-top condition. While in hospital the medical team, nurse and physiotherapist will advise on how much and what type of physical activity is suitable for each patient. At the beginning they will advise gentle activity, then the patient will be asked to gradually increase the intensity of exercise as they become stronger and more confident. Facing the future After a heart attack, during hospitalisation and recovery at home, patients have the chance to think about their lifestyles. For many patients, life after a heart attack can be even better than it was before. How has a heart attack changed your life? Help others by sharing your experience on our Message Board You are here: Home >> Articles >> Life After a Heart Attack |
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