You were in the hospital because you had a heart attack. A heart attack occurs when blood flow to a part of your heart is blocked long enough that part of the heart muscle is damaged or dies.
You may feel sad. You may feel anxious and as though you have to be very careful about what you do. All of these feelings are normal. They go away for most people after 2 or 3 weeks. You may also feel tired when you leave the hospital to go home.
You should know the signs and symptoms of angina.
Know how to treat your chest pain when it happens. Talk with your doctor or nurse about what to do. See also: Angina - when you have chest pain
Take it easy for the first 4 - 6 weeks. Avoid heavy lifting. Get some help with household chores if you can. Take 30 - 60 minutes to rest in the afternoon for first 4 - 6 weeks. Try to go to bed early and get plenty of sleep. See also: Being active after a heart attack
You should be able to talk comfortably when you are doing any activity -- such as walking, setting the table, and doing laundry. If you cannot, stop the activity.
Ask your doctor about when you can return to work. Expect to be away from work for at least 4 - 6 weeks.
Your doctor may refer you to cardiac rehabilitation program. There, you will learn how to slowly increase your exercise and how to take care of your heart disease.
Wait at least 2 weeks before sexual activity. Ask your doctor when it is okay to start again. Do not take Viagra, Levitra, Cialis or any herbal remedy for erection problems without checking with your doctor first.
Do not drink any alcohol for at least 2 weeks. Ask your doctor when you may start. Limit how much you drink. Women should have only 1 drink a day, and men should have no more than 2 a day. Try to drink alcohol only when you are eating.
If you smoke, stop. Ask your doctor for help quitting if you need it. Do not let anybody smoke in your home, since second-hand smoke can harm you. Try to stay away from things that are stressful for you. If you are feeling stressed all the time, or if you are feeling very sad, talk with your doctor or nurse. They can refer you to a counselor.
Learn more about what you should eat to make your heart and blood vessels healthier.
See also:
Have your drug prescriptions filled before you go home. It is very important that you take your drugs the way your doctor or nurse told you to. Do not take any other drugs or herbal supplements without asking your doctor first if they are safe for you.
Take your drugs with water. Do NOT take them with grapefruit juice, since it may change how your body absorbs certain medicines. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information about this.
The drugs below are given to most people after they have had a heart attack. Sometimes there is a reason they may not be safe to take, though. These drugs help prevent another heart attack. Talk with your doctor or nurse if you are not already on any of these drugs:
See also:
Do NOT suddenly stop taking these drugs for your heart. Do NOT stop taking drugs for your diabetes, high blood pressure, or any other medical conditions you may have without talking with your doctor first.
If you are taking a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin), you may need to have extra blood tests on a regular basis to make sure your dose is correct.
Call your doctor if you feel:
Changes in your angina may mean your heart disease is getting worse. Call your doctor if your angina:
Myocardial infarction - discharge; MI - discharge; Coronary event - discharge; Infarct - discharge
Anderson JL, Adams CD, Antman EM, Bridges CR, Califf RM, Casey DE Jr, et al. ACC/AHA 2007 guidelines for the management of patients with unstable angina/non-ST-Elevation myocardial infarction: a report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines (Writing Committee to Revise the 2002 Guidelines for the Management of Patients With Unstable Angina/Non-ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction) developed in collaboration with the American College of Emergency Physicians, the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions, and the Society of Thoracic Surgeons endorsed by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation and the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2007 Aug 14;50(7):e1-e157.
Antman EM, Hand M, Armstrong PW, Bates ER, Green LA, Halasyamani LK, Hochman JS, et al. 2007 Focused Update of the ACC/AHA 2004 Guidelines for the Management of Patients With ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction: a report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines: developed in collaboration With the Canadian Cardiovascular Society endorsed by the American Academy of Family Physicians: 2007 Writing Group to Review New Evidence and Update the ACC/AHA 2004 Guidelines for the Management of Patients With ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction, Writing on Behalf of the 2004 Writing Committee. Circulation. 2008 Jan 15;117(2):296-329. Epub 2007 Dec 10.
Becker RC, Meade TW, Berger PB, Ezekowitz M, O'Connor CM, Vorchheimer DA, et al. The primary and secondary prevention of coronary artery disease: American College of Chest Physicians Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guidelines (8th Edition). Chest. 2008;133(6 Suppl):776S-814S.
Updated by: Michael A. Chen, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Harborview Medical Center, University of Washington Medical School, Seattle, Washington. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M. Health Solutions, Ebix, Inc.
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