Top Three Things to do After a Heart Attack

This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

Disclaimer: I am not a medical expert. All words contained in this post are written from my own experience. Consult with your physician about your heart health and the risks of a heart attack.

In my previous post about the medications I’ve been prescribed, I emphasized the importance of ensuring that the medications you’re prescribed are taken according to your doctor’s directions. This post I am going to cover a couple of other things I’ve found to be important in order to avoid another heart attack.

It’s okay to take naps!

Your body has just been through a traumatic event. When you feel sleepy, take a nap. Your heart and body will appreciate it. Your body is going to need time to recover from the heart attack you recently had. You have your family’s permission to take a nap.

Take it Easy and Eat Right

You’re not going to be able to do what you were able to do pre-heart attack. Your pride may suffer some; but, let people wait on you. My wife went out the other day to mow with our push mower and lawn tractor, and I felt guilty that I couldn’t help her mow our yard. In the last couple of weeks, I’ve discovered what I can and cannot do. It’s frustrating, but, you’ll be back at it in no time. Listen to your doctor first and foremost. If they say no lifting over a specific amount, please don’t push it. You’re going to have to come to the realization that the foods you enjoyed before your heart attack won’t be on the menu anymore. It’s not the end of the world. Consult with your doctor to see if you can enjoy (in moderation) some foods that you love.

Monitor Your Blood Pressure and Take Your Medications

I cannot emphasize these enough. I take my blood pressure twice a day: once in the morning before I take my medications, and again in the evening, before I take my evening medications. I keep a log of my blood pressure and heart rate. For a few days, my pulse was in the ’40s, which is very low. With the advice of my cardiologist, I cut my beta-blocker medication in half, and that has brought my pulse up to the safe range. It’s extremely important to take the medications that you’ve been prescribed. After your follow-up appointment, post-discharge, you’ll want to set up an appointment with your primary physician to go over a plan of action.

You will find what works for you once you’ve talked to your doctor and the cardiologist. It took me a couple of weeks to get one of my medications adjusted and for that I am grateful. I don’t want to wind up back in the hospital because I didn’t communicate with my caretakers.

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