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Recovering From a Heart Attack
Monday, September 8, 2008
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RECOVERING FROM A HEART ATTACK
If you or a loved one has suffered from a heart attack, you already know that it’s a frightening experience. You may ask yourself, how did this happen and how can I prevent it from happening again? First of all, let’s explore what a heart attack is.
Your heart is a muscle that receives its blood and oxygen supply from the Coronary Arteries. The coronary arteries develop plaque because of a high fat diet and low activity level. The protective lining of the coronary arteries can be injured due to different causes such as smoking and high blood pressure. Fatty deposits develop along the artery walls as a result of the damaged protective lining. The injured arteries begin to narrow and harden. This process is known as Coronary Artery Disease, or Atherosclerosis. As the disease progresses, you may not have any symptoms; however, over time you may start to feel chest pain or discomfort called angina.
Angina is a condition in which the heart muscle is not receiving enough blood flow. It can feel like chest pain, pressure, tightness, numbness, tingling or heaviness in the middle of the chest, neck, arms, shoulders or back. The discomfort is often precipitated by stress, anxiety, strong emotions, physical activity, cold temperature, or after eating a meal. It frequently lasts for a short period of time. Angina is not necessarily a heart attack, but is a warning sign that you can be at risk for a heart attack, and need to seek treatment by your doctor. If the nature of angina changes, or last for 15 minutes or more, it could be a heart attack.
A Heart Attack, also known as Myocardial Infarction occurs when one or more blocked coronary arteries cannot deliver blood and oxygen to the heart. This causes permanent damage or death to a part of the heart muscle. Coronary artery disease, a blood clot, or a coronary spasm causes a blockage. When fatty deposits build up inside an artery, cells clump to those deposits and form a clot. The clot blocks the flow of blood to the heart causing muscle death. Another cause of a heart attack is a coronary spasm. During a coronary spasm the artery contracts, temporarily hindering blood flow to the heart. The cause of coronary spasms is often unknown. Irreversible heart muscle damage occurs if blood flow does not return to the heart within several hours. Therefore, restoring the blood flow to the heart muscle is critical.
It is vital that you know the warning signs, and know when to seek medical attention. The warning signs of a heart attack include the following:
¨ Uncomfortable, heavy pressure, squeezing in the chest that lasts for more than a few minutes.
¨ Discomfort or pain that spreads to the arms, shoulders, neck, or back.
¨ Abdominal discomfort such as feeling of “fullness”, severe indigestion, or nausea.
¨ Rapid, irregular heart beat, lightheadedness, shortness of breath, sweating.
Although these symptoms may differ for each individual, people who have had a heart attack may say they felt “uneasiness” or “did not feel quite right.” Others feel “impending doom.” Some people may report all the symptoms above; others may not have any symptoms at all. Prevention is the key to survival. Know your risk factors and modify your life style. Risk factors are characteristics that increase the chances of a heart attack. For example, if you already had a heart attack, there is a high risk of having another one. Other risk factors include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, sedentary lifestyle, smoking, and family history of heart disease.
In the event of a heart attack, your Cardiologist may use different modes of treatment depending on the situation. One method is administering medications called Thrombolytics, also known as “clot busters.” These medications are used to dissolve colts, but must be given within a few hours of a heart attack to receive benefits from the treatment.
A Heart Catheterization or Angiogram is an x-ray study done to locate a blocked coronary artery. A special catheter is inserted into the artery in the groin or the arm. The catheter is then threaded to the heart, and dye is injected to help locate the blocked artery. The Cardiologist may decide to perform an Angioplasty in which a balloon, located at the tip of the catheter is inflated. When the balloon inflates, the plaque is compressed, and this opens and restores blood flow back to the heart. A Stent, which is a small metal spring, may be inserted to keep the coronary artery open, again promoting blood flow to the heart. Another procedure called an Arthrectomy and Rotablator uses a small burr or blade to remove the blockage. Unfortunately, not every coronary artery can be repaired by these procedures. The blockages may be located in areas too difficult to reach with a catheter, or may be too extensive. Open-heart surgery or Bypass surgery may be required in these cases. Bypass surgery involves using another blood vessel from another part of the body and transplanting it beyond the blocked area. This creates “detour” for the blood to go around the blockage.
After a heart attack, the healing process begins. Scar tissue forms around the damaged heart muscle. New blood vessels grow from the nearby arteries carrying blood to the injured area. Recovery is a slow process, and it may take several weeks to feel like your self again. Do not do too much too soon! It is important to gradually increase your activity level. Rest in between periods of activity as necessary. Get plenty of sleep, at least 6 to 8 hours per night. Do not lift anything over ten pounds for at least two weeks. You should not drive for at least 1-2 weeks, or as directed by your Cardiologist. Also, ask you Cardiologist about returning to work.
You probably received information regarding Cardiac Rehabilitation before you were discharged from the hospital. A cardiac rehab program involves exercise sessions that are supervised by a healthcare professional. Exercises include walking on a treadmill, riding a stationary bike, rowing machine, and other equipment. In the initial phase of rehab, ECG electrodes will be place on your chest to monitor your heart. The program also offers counseling on stress management, diet, weight control, exercise, and smoking cessation.
Changing your lifestyle is a significant step in your journey to recovery. You can control your risk factors such as smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, lack of exercise, obesity, and stress.
¨ If you smoke, stop smoking! If you are unable to stop, ask your doctor about medications or brochures on smoking cessation.
¨ Control your blood pressure. You can do this by reducing the amount of salt you put in your food, exercising regularly, and loosing weight if you are overweight. If your blood pressure continues to be high, your doctor may prescribe medications for you.
¨ Eat a heart healthy diet low in fat, cholesterol, and high in fiber. Be conscious in reading food labels, and be aware of your serving sizes or food portions. A heart healthy diet includes more fish and poultry. Eat only lean meats. Other food groups include fruits, vegetables, and grains.
¨ Exercise on a regular basis. Consult your doctor or healthcare professional before starting an exercise program. Screening is important to determine a level of exercise that is safe for you. Set reasonable goals, gradually increasing the amount of time or intensity of your exercise.
¨ Obesity causes high blood pressure and high blood cholesterol. If you are overweight, talk to your doctor or a dietitian about a weight loss program. Set realistic objectives such as losing 1-1 ½ pounds a week.
¨ Reduce your stress level. Take time to do things that you enjoy. If you have difficulty managing stress, classes or counseling may be available in your community.
Always remember; set realistic goals for your self to avoid frustration or disappointment. If you have questions, contact you Cardiologist, Nurse, Dietitian, or other healthcare professionals. With a heart healthy lifestyle, you can avoid the risk of another heart attack, and improve your quality of life.