Myocardial infarction is an unexpected event, which causes feelings of fear and anxiety in both the patient and his family. Especially when the patient leaves the hospital, he is worried about how he has to deal with the new situation. Things that used to be taken for granted such as exercise, work, sexual activity are now becoming a source of stress.
How long you will have to wait to return to normal activities will depend on: Your physical condition before the heart attack, the size, complications and consequences of myocardial infarction as well as the overall speed of in-hospital recovery.
These instructions are necessary for the patient in order to adapt to daily life but also to reduce the recurrence of a new cardiovascular event in the future.
- When to worry and call your doctor?
You should now know the symptoms of angina. Symptoms such as pain or tightness in the chest, arm, neck, or jaw with difficulty breathing, sweating and dizziness should prompt you to seek immediate medical attention.
- When can you start exercising?
The general concept is that you should rest for the first 4 to 6 weeks. Some people will be able to do more after a heart attack. Others may need to start later. The correct timing for exercise depends on the severity of the heart attack as well as any in-hospital complications. From the 1st week you can gradually start walking (5-10 minutes) or climbing stairs (5-10 steps). Depending on your stamina and always with the consent of your cardiologist you can increase the level of exercise per week so that in 4-5 weeks you reach the level you had before the heart attack without symptoms. A good moderate-intensity aerobic exercise program is brisk walking or cycling for 30 minutes 5 times a week.
- When can you return to work?
This depends on the type of work and the level of physical activity that your job requires. If you do not require heavy manual effort and your recovery is good enough you can return even in 3 weeks.
It is important to determine with your cardiologist, always according to your state of health, the time and type of work you need to perform.
- When can you be sexually active?
This again depends on the patient’s ability for physical activity. It is important to emphasize that sexual activity does not increase the risk of developing a new heart attack but instead helps to improve both your physical and mental health. Patients with a smooth and uncomplicated course after a heart attack may have sexual activity 2-4 weeks after discharge from the hospital. An increased proportion of men experience some form of erectile dysfunction after an acute myocardial infarction that may be due to either psychological causes or to medications administered such as β-blockers. Do not hesitate to contact your cardiologist to find the solution to your problem.
- When can you drive?
Driving is allowed after a period of 4 weeks, provided that your health has been restored and that you are not driving a public car. If the latter applies, your state of health will need to be assessed with special tests before you can return to work.
- How important is your psychological state?
Emotional stress, fear and anxiety after a myocardial infarction are usually transient. They disappear for most people after 2 or 3 weeks Rarely these feelings can lead to a depressive episode and if this persists for more than a month it would be good to contact your cardiologist for help. Psychological problems affect the quality of life, seriously slow down your normal return to daily life and increase the chance of a new heart attack.
- What changes in diet and lifestyle?
It is generally recommended to adopt the Mediterranean diet not as a diet but as a way of life. This means that you can eat cereals, fruits, vegetables and fish, while you should eat less meat mainly in the form of white meat (eg chicken, once a week) Red meat (eg beef) should generally be avoided (1 time every 15 days). Cooking should be by steam, pot or oven. Fried food should be avoided. The use of olive oil and the use of low fat products is recommended. Smoking doubles the chance of a new heart attack and sudden cardiac death. Smoking and alcohol abuse are strictly forbidden.
- Do I have to continue taking the medication I was taking during my treatment?
The main role of the medication you have been given is to prevent a new heart attack. You will take some of these medicines for a certain period, while you will take some of them for the rest of your life. If you notice anything in your body and think it may be due to the medicine, do not hesitate to contact your cardiologist. Under NO circumstances should you stop taking a medicine without the consent of your cardiologist.
- What should I do to prevent another heart attack?
Most people after myocardial infarction will live an uncomplicated life without problems if they remain consistent in their prevention goals. However, about 1 in 5 patients aged 45 and over fail these goals and will have another heart attack within five years of the previous one.
In order to avoid that you must:
- Continue to take your medication as directed by your doctor.
- Stay consistent in your appointments with both your personal physician and your cardiologist.
- Organize a cardiac rehabilitation program that includes both physical exercise and psychological support.
- Improve risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes. Taking the right medications, quitting smoking and eating healthy foods helps the most in this direction.
