Recovering from a heart attack
Recovering from a heart attack
Recovering from a heart attack
Plan your recovery from a heart attack with your treating health professionals and heart specialists while you are in hospital. Ask about the
My Heart, My Life
program
External Link
.
Your hospital stay after a heart attack
A
heart attack (myocardial
infarction)
External Link
occurs when one or more blood vessels (arteries) supplying the heart with blood become partly or totally blocked. The area of the heart supplied by that artery may become permanently damaged.
Once you go to hospital, your doctors will decide what treatment you need. The treatments you have will influence your recovery. For example, surgery will affect when you are able to do some activities, such as driving or lifting heavier items.
Treatment after your heart attack will usually include
taking medicines
regularly
External Link
to lower the chance of having another heart attack and other heart problems in the future.
Other treatments you may need after your heart attack can include:
angioplasty and stent
implantation
External Link
– a procedure to open a blocked artery using a tiny device called a stent that is left in place in the artery
bypass surgery (coronary artery bypass graft
surgery)
External Link
– an operation in which blood vessels from other parts of your body are grafted to bypass the blocked arteries to your heart
Before leaving hospital, speak with your health professionals about how – and when – you can go back to doing your everyday activities.
Leaving hospital after a heart attack
When you leave hospital, make sure you have:
supplies of your medicines. Make sure you also know what each one is for, and how and when to take them
an action plan in case you have a future medical emergency
times for appointments with outpatient clinics, specialist doctors, your doctor and other health professionals
instructions on how to care for your wounds if you had surgery
information about lifestyle
changes
External Link
you can make to reduce your chance of future heart problems such as a heart attack
a referral to a
cardiac rehabilitation (cardiac rehab)
program
External Link
.
Make sure you follow your plan when you leave hospital, take your medicines as prescribed, and keep all your appointments with your health professionals.
After you leave hospital:
visit your doctor (GP) as often as they recommend – take your medical test results, treatment information and all the medicines you are taking, so your doctor can help you manage your long-term health
keep any appointments with other specialists or health professionals
follow a healthy eating pattern by
eating heart-healthy
foods
External Link
look after your body – follow your doctor’s instructions for wound care
begin
physical
activity
External Link
– with your doctor’s advice, you can safely begin gentle exercise
look after your mental health – people who’ve had a heart attack are more likely to experience the symptoms of
depression
than the general population. Speak with your doctor if you feel sad most of the time for more than two weeks
you should receive a referral to a cardiac rehabilitation (cardiac rehab) program near you.
Search for a program near
you
External Link
or ask your doctor for a referral.
if you smoke,
stop
smoking
External Link
. The most effective way to stop smoking is with a combination of support from
Quitline
External Link
(Tel.
13 78 48
) and stop-smoking medicines such as nicotine replacement therapy.
Returning to everyday activities after a heart attack
Most people are keen to get back to their everyday lives, so ask your doctor when you can start your normal daily activities again. Things to consider include:
travel
External Link
– make sure you have a seat in buses, trains or cars in the early days after your heart attack
air
travel
External Link
– you may need a medical clearance form, so ask your doctor before you plan air travel
driving
External Link
– ask your doctor about when you will be able to drive again. Ask your car insurance company if there is any impact of your heart attack on your insurance or driver’s licence
physical
activity
External Link
– on your doctor’s advice, begin gentle walking and slowly build up
sex
External Link
– ask your doctor when it’s safe to have sex. If you have had surgery, your doctor may advise you to wait until your wound has healed
work
External Link
– most people can go back to work after having a heart attack, but if you have had surgery, it may take a little longer until you are ready. If you have a physical or stressful job, ask your doctor whether you need to have lighter duties.
Cardiac rehabilitation
Cardiac rehab is a program of support, exercise and education that is led by health professionals and personalised to strengthen your heart.
Cardiac rehab gives you information, support and advice to help you recover after a heart attack, surgery or procedure. You will learn more about long-term lifestyle changes that will help you live well with your heart condition and reduce your risk of having another heart attack.
You should attend cardiac rehab as soon as possible after you leave hospital. Speak with your doctor about referring you to a
cardiac rehab
program
External Link
. You can also visit the
Heart Foundation’s Cardiac Services Directory to search for your closest cardiac rehab
service
External Link
.
Cardiac rehab helps you to adjust to life with a heart condition by providing support to:
manage your
medicines
External Link
manage other health conditions, such as high
blood
pressure
External Link
, high
cholesterol
External Link
and
diabetes
External Link
recognise the
warning signs of a heart
attack
External Link
and what to do in an emergency
make healthy lifestyle choices, such as following a
heart-heathy eating
pattern
External Link
, drinking less
alcohol
External Link
, being
physically
active
External Link
and
quitting
smoking
External Link
manage
stress, anxiety and
depression
External Link
return to activities of daily living, such as
driving
External Link
,
returning to
work
External Link
and going on holidays.
Cardiac rehab can be delivered:
individually or in a group
through a mobile application (app), over the phone or via video call
in hospital, a community centre, clinic or your home.
Where to get help
In an emergency, always call triple zero (000)
Your
GP (doctor)
Emergency department of your nearest hospital
NURSE-ON-CALL
External Link
Tel.
1300 60 60 24
– for expert health information and advice (24 hours, 7 days a week)
Heart
Foundation
External Link
Quitline
External Link
, Tel.
13 78 48
Beyond
Blue
External Link
, Tel.
1300 22 4636
Australian Centre for Heart
Health
External Link
Tel.
(03) 9326 8544
.