So you’ve had a heart attack…now what? No longer are patients given prolonged rest for six weeks afer a heart attack. Whenever someone has a heart attack, they should know what to do next. Home treatment, in uncomplicated cases of heart attack, is now the mainstay.
Treatment can be simple and easy, as long as no complications occur. In these cases, about two weeks of rest is essentially required. In some cases on the second day after the heart attack, the patient can walk around the bed, and may gradually increase his walk, and in about two weeks time, he can walk 400-500 yards (only on physician’s recommendation).
Unnecessary prolonged rest is not always in the interest of the patient. He becomes markedly weak. However, prolonged rest has to be given if the patient has developed complications, or if the patient’s condition becomes more serious as a result of the heart attack. Climbing stairs may need special precautions in the case of recovery from a fresh heart attack.
In a nutshell, all aspects of the patient must be looked into carefully by a physician. This includes all aspects of the patient’s life. And it is only with the co-operation of all involved that the patient will receive the best possible care and instruction.
Make sure to inform your physician of all areas of your life that you have concern with to get the best possible solutions after heart attack.