HOW TO RECOVERY HEART ATTACK

If you think you are having a heart attack, seek help immediately. Do not ignore chest pain or discomfort. Time is of vital importance. Call 911 for emergency transport to the hospital. Do not try to drive yourself or being driven by someone else. If you have regular-strength or baby aspirin available and you are not strongly allergic, chew and swallow 1 regular aspirin or a baby aspirin.

• At this dose, aspirin may help maintain blood flow through a clot-filled artery by inhibiting blood clotting.
• Chewing gets the aspirin into your system faster than swallowing it whole.

If you have had angina and been given nitroglycerin, take as recommended by your health care provider. Exact instructions will depend on the form of the nitroglycerin. If you have had a heart attack before, or if you have several risk factors, the following steps may help prevent heart attacks and save you from severe disability or even death.

There’s good news for people who have had a heart attack. The worst is over, and soon you can do most of the things you used to do! Now is a good time to make healthy changes in your lifestyle. Heart disease can get worse unless you take steps to get your heart in good shape. After a heart attack, it’s common to worry a lot. Getting better and feeling good about yourself will take time. It helps to do as your doctor says and to learn about keeping your heart healthy. You may have many active years left to enjoy!

Are my feelings normal?

Most patients say they have bad feelings after a heart attack. These are normal and easy to understand. It’s a good idea to talk to someone about your feelings - don’t keep them inside. In time, these bad feelings should go away.

Fear:

  • of dying
  • of chest pains
  • that you can’t have sex
  • that you can’t work

Anger:
  • that it happened to you
  • at family and friends

Depression, such as thinking…
  • “Life is over.”
  • You might not be the same again.
  • Others might think you are weak.
How will my family feel?

People who are close to you will also “feel” your heart attack. Instead of keeping bad feelings in, you should all talk about them. Family members may feel…
  • Frightened to see you in the hospital.
  • Angry that the heart attack came at a bad time.
  • Guilty because they think they “caused” it, even if they know it’s not possible.