The document provides essential lifestyle tips and FAQs for recovering from a heart attack, emphasizing the importance of understanding discharge plans and medication management. It discusses the need for cardiac rehabilitation, recognizing symptoms that require medical attention, and preventive measures to avoid future heart problems. Strategies include maintaining a heart-healthy lifestyle, controlling blood pressure and cholesterol, and managing stress.

1. Recovery After Heart
Attack?
Here Are Lifestyle Tips &
FAQs To Mull Over

2. Heart Attack Recovery – Tips And FAQs
Heart attack is a life-
threatening medical
condition in which blood
flows to the heart and
then suddenly stops
Surviving a heart attack
to a great extent depends
on how quickly it is
treated and how severe it
is.

3. Care At Home After A Heart Attack
Before leaving the
hospital, it is important
for you and your family to
understand the discharge
plan.
Make sure all your
questions are answered
and get written directions
for taking all your
medications

4. Medications After A Heart Attack
Medications after a heart
attack are important.
Keep a current list of their
names and how many
times per day you take
them.

5. Cardiac Rehabilitation After Heart
Attack
Before leaving the
hospital, it is important
for you and your family to
understand the discharge
plan.
Make sure all your
questions are answered
and get written directions
for taking all your
medications

6. Keep In Mind
Your doctor is an
important resource
during this time.
Ask him for information
and advice

7. Heart Attack Recovery – FAQs
Here we answer some of the basic
questions you may have regarding
heart attacks and recovery

8. How Soon can I Get Back To My Regular
Activities?
This to a great extent
depends on your heart’s
condition and on what
activities you usually do.
Start slowly to give your
heart the time it needs to
heal. Talk to your doctor
about the activities you
can do and about when
you can resume your
activities

9. Do I Need To Enroll In A Cardiac
Rehabilitation Program?
It is absolutely necessary
to enroll in a cardiac
rehabilitation program so
that the rhythm of your
heart, your heart rate and
your blood pressure can
be monitored as you
exercise.

10. How Soon can I Get Back To My Regular
Activities?
Call for help if you face any of the following symptoms when
exercising
 Acute breathlessness for more than 10 minutes
 Chest pain
 Pain in your arms, neck, jaw or stomach
 Dizziness
 Irregular heart beat
 Cold sweats
 Nausea and vomiting
 Weakness or fainting
 Swelling or pain in your legs

11. When Can I Get Back To Work?
This also depends on the
condition of your heart
and the severity of your
heart attack. The amount
of time you are off from
work also depends on
how stressful or
strenuous your work is.

12. Recognize Symptoms!
Look for emergency medical assistance if you have any of the
following symptoms
 Chest pain, tightness, pressure or pain in your arms, neck, jaw,
or stomach
 Shortness of breath
 Dizziness
 Pale, sweaty skin
 Very fast or irregular heartbeat
 Nausea and vomiting
 Swelling or pain in your legs
 Sudden, overwhelming fatigue

13. What should I do to prevent future
heart problems?
There are steps you can take to speed your
recovery and to prevent future heart
problems. These are known as “secondary
prevention.” First, talk to your doctor in
detail and find out the type of heart
disease you have. Your doctor will explain
your risk factors and tell you how to
prevent more damage to your heart.

14. Follow a heart-healthy lifestyle. Stop
smoking
Tobacco stands as a major risk factor
for heart disease. It damages the
walls of the blood vessels and reduces
the blood’s ability to carry oxygen to
other organs. It also causes the blood
to clot more easily. Nicotine also
raises your blood pressure.

15. Avoid Secondhand Smoke
Stay away from the
smoke which is exhaled
by the smokers and the
smoke that comes from
the burning end of a
cigarette.

16. Control your blood pressure
High blood pressure
strains the heart and
blood vessels.
Your doctor may advice
you medicines,
exercises, eating a diet
that’s low in salt,
and losing weight to
control your blood
pressure.

17. Control Your Cholesterol Levels
Too much cholesterol in
your blood can raise
your risk of heart attack.
When bad cholesterol is
high, your doctor may
prescribe medicines to
help lower it.

18. Check For Diabetes
Diabetes increases your
risk of heart attack
and stroke.
Talk to your doctor about
getting screened for
diabetes.

19. Exercise
Exercise makes the heart
pump more blood and
deliver more oxygen to
your body.
Regular aerobic exercise
can make your heart
stronger, lower your
cholesterol and blood
pressure level and relieve
stress.

20. Eat A Heart-Healthy Diet
Diet that is high in saturated and Trans fats
can gradually cause plaque in your arteries.
Eat less oily, less spicy food, leafy vegetables,
seasonal fruits, nuts and whole grains.
Eat less red meat and fewer high-fat dairy
products. Cut down on salt, and avoid fried
and processed foods.

21. Control Your Stress Level
Anxiety, depression &
stress may increase your
risk of heart problems.
Ask your doctor about
healthy ways to cope with
your emotions and
reduce your stress level.

22. Follow-Up Care after Heart Attack
Follow-up care is very
important.
In fact; the risk of cardiac
problems can be reduced
by cardiac rehab, follow-
up visits, and tailored
treatments.

23. Unleash the
Power of Your
Heart

24. For Cardiovascular,
Nuclear Cardiology
and
Echocardiography