The Importance of Rehabilitation after a Heart Attack

By: Novoviva webmaster

Question

Why is rehabilitation necessary after a heart attack? My husband has just been discharged from hospital after having a heart attack and he wants to just carry on as before. Is this O.K?

Answer

Your husband wanting to "carry on as before" is perhaps his way of denying that he has had a heart attack as it is very scary to have damage to the heart. He may also be secretly afraid that any exercise may precipitate another attack. People who have survived a heart attack are often cautious about undertaking certain activities afterwards, for fear of precipitating another attack. However, a lifestyle change is of extreme importance, and is the only way of helping himself do the best he can to prevent further heart attacks occurring. The most important reason for attending a cardiac rehabilitation programme following a heart attack, is to endeavour to help prevent further heart attacks or stroke. Studies have confirmed that Cardiac rehabilitation programs are lifesavers. Studies have found that people who participate in these programs have about half the risk of dying from a subsequent heart attack as those who do not exercise. Once you have passed through the initial treatment stages, you will be given information and advice about the reason for your heart attack, the nature of any damage and any risk factors that can be addressed. The level of investigation will vary from case to case, but often an exercise test after about 4 weeks will provide information about the heart's ability to respond. If this is essentially normal, the next step is to attend a cardiac rehabilitation programme.
 

Cardiac rehabilitation can help a return to work by: Addressing risk factors for heart disease - Treating symptoms - Restoring physical fitness - Helping with anxieties about the consequences of a heart attack - Providing counselling and family support. Conventional rehabilitation programmes include a low-level graded exercise test to determine the target exercise heart rate. This will ensure that appropriate workloads are chosen. There will be physical on equipment, such as a treadmill, bicycle ergometer, rowing machine or arm ergometer. Such training has been shown to reduce symptoms, exercise-related breathlessness and tiredness.
 

Although you cannot change your age, gender, or family history, you can take steps to lower the other risks. For any person with CAD or heart disease, there are important lifestyle changes necessary to preserve optimum health and/or prevent further damage. One should adhere to a healthy diet, free of saturated fats and cholesterol , and containing plenty of fibre (as found in fruits, vegetables and cereals). Also of importance is Regular physical exercise, losing extra weight, and maintaining normal weight. Also Stress management, NO smoking, and no more than 1-2 glasses red wine daily are best and will all help to promote physical f...