AFTER HEART ATTACK: GOING HOME
THE E1RST FEW DAYS AT HOME
It usually takes a few days to adjust to being home again (and no longer a patient!). This is tiring in itself and you should not expect to do much more than during your last days in hospital.
Don't be too impatient. There will be plenty of time for rapid improvement in the next few weeks.
We put restrictions on your activity at this time. You can easily become overtired (and possibly lose confidence in your ability to get well quickly) if you try to do too much too soon.
Your body will soon tell you when you are overdoing it - learn to recognise these signals and rest when necessary.
TEMPORARY MOOD CHANGES
During this time you may experience some mood changes. Many people complain of symptoms such as:
crying
sleep difficulties
irritability
poor concentration and memory
loss of interest
tiredness
emotions not usually experienced
feelings of depression
feelings of boredom.
These symptoms are common during the recovery period and usually disappear. However, if you still feel this way after a few weeks consult your doctor, social worker or cardiac rehabilitation clinic.
MYTHS
During this time well-meaning friends may tell you some myths which are not true.
Please don't take any notice of statements like these:
'You will never walk up stairs.' 'You will never have sexual intercourse.' 'You cannot lift your arms above your head.' 'You will never run again.' 'You will never be able to return to work.' 'You must not get excited.' 'You may not do anything strenuous with your left arm.'
'You will never be able to do any lifting again.'
Another common myth is that you may not drink alcohol again. This is not true. You may drink alcohol in moderation.
Excessive alcohol injures the heart muscle as well as other organs. However, unless you have been a heavy drinker in the past, you will do no harm by drinking 2 glasses of wine or beer per day.
People who are concerned for you may still tell you their own stories. You should be prepared for this so that you will find it easier to ignore them.
Here are some well-known stories that are best ignored:
'My neighbour had a heart attack and dropped dead after two weeks.'
'My neighbour died after his second heart attack.'
These days most patients recover completely from heart attacks and return to normal work and leisure activities within a few weeks.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
Most of the first week was spent in hospital so we shall talk about your first week at home as Week 2.
You may be unsure how much you can do in the first few weeks.
An individual plan will be worked out by the cardiac rehabilitation unit while you are in hospital, and we offer the following as guidelines only.
WEEK 2
Get up and dressed.
Walk around the house and garden at a leisurely pace.
Make yourself a cup of tea - you no longer need to be waited on.
Watch TV or read a book.
Restrict your visitors - you may find them tiring in the first few days.
Rest if you are tired.
WEEK 3
By now you will be walking outside your house. Why not use your street light poles as a measurement -increase the distance that you walk by one light pole per day - and remember, you have to walk back again. Keep these things in mind before walking:
Walk on level ground at a slow pace.
Walking is best done in the morning.
Try to schedule your walk so that you do not walk in the coldest part of the day in winter, or in the heat of the day in summer.
Other things you can do in this week include:
Going out to dinner or to a relaxing movie.
Being driven to visit your friends.
Shopping with someone. (Don't carry the groceries at this stage.)
Some light gardening.
Light household duties. (Cooking a meal a day or washing dishes and cleaning up after meals.)
Putting clothes in the washing machine. (But don't carry wet clothes out to the line.)
DONTS DURING THE FIRST TWO WEEKS AT HOME (WEEKS 2 AND 3)
Do not lift weights or do other straining exercises.
Do not vacuum, sweep or do heavy cleaning.
Do not wash the car.
Do not drive the car.
Do not rake leaves, or do heavy gardening.
Do not swim, play tennis or golf.
Do not mow the lawn.
WEEK 4
At this time the distance and pace of your walking will be increased progressively. Don't exercise for at least one hour following meals.
Wash the car - ready for when you start driving, as it is at about this stage that your doctor will suggest you resume driving your car.
RESUMPTION OF SEXUAL ACTIVITY
Frequently, due to embarrassment, questions concerning sexual intercourse after a heart attack go unasked and unanswered.
However, at first you should avoid sexual intercourse in the following situations:
for 2 to 3 hours after a heavy meal, excessive alcohol or exercise
if you are very tired.
At first, techniques which require less physical exertion on your part could be tried. Whatever position was most comfortable before your heart attack may be the most appropriate.
If you are experiencing any difficulties please consult your doctor.
RETURN TO WORK
The timing of your return to work should be discussed with your doctor.
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Cardio & Bloodh | 
