After experiencing a heart attack, it’s commonplace to go through a wide range of feelings: relief that the ordeal is over, uncertainty about what could possibly have caused the attack, and anxiety about the potential of it occurring again, just to name a few. The good news is there are actions that heart attack survivors can take to significantly decrease their chance of a second occurrence.
Naturally, in advance of making any lifestyle alterations, it’s important to speak with the physician. With his or her consent, the senior care experts at Live Free Home Health Care, the area’s top providers of elder care in Concord, advise the tips below:
- Adhere to the prescribed medication plan. At times, when a patient is feeling better, the inclination is to stop taking medications. Yet post-heart attack prescriptions are intended to substantially reduce the chance of a second attack, and consequently are extremely important to continue.
- Stay on course with follow-up appointments. Life gets hectic, and just as with prescription medications, it’s not unusual for seniors to slack off on keeping ongoing medical appointments. Again, it’s crucial to a person’s recovery and continued heart health to see the physician as often as advised. And if transportation is an issue, Live Free Home Health Care can assist.
- Make wise lifestyle decisions. Heart attack risk factors include smoking, an inactive lifestyle, and poor nutritional habits. Making the necessary changes to live a healthier life by making improvements in any of these areas is worthwhile.
- Seek support. Partnering with others who’ve survived a similar trauma is a great way to obtain strength and reassurance following something as life-changing as a heart attack. The American Heart Association’s online support group is a good place to get started.
Another wonderful source of support for those recovering from a heart attack is working with Live Free Home Health Care. Our elder care team is fully trained and experienced in a wide variety of services that can improve heart health, such as planning and preparing healthy and balanced meals, providing transportation to medical appointments and procedures, offering encouragement to engage in exercise routines, and so much more. Providing the highest quality elder care in Concord and the surrounding area has to offer, call us at 603-217-0149 for assistance in achieving optimal health and wellbeing for yourself or a senior loved one.