Five Tips to Help You Recover From a Heart Attack

Date: 02/24/20

A heart attack is a serious health event and may require months of recovery before you are able to return to your normal activities. Also, some lifestyle and medication changes might be required as your body heals and recuperates. In addition to following your primary care provider’s suggestions for recovery and in honor of American Heart Month, the health experts at Envolve, an integrated healthcare solutions company, are pleased to share five tips to help you recover after a heart attack.

1. Analyze Actions. Assess your lifestyle and note changes you can make that align with your primary care provider’s (PCP) advice to get you on a healthy path to recovery. Necessary changes may include adjusting your diet, moderate exercise, and regular blood pressure monitoring. Tobacco use is a major factor that can be damaging to your heart health. It is important to avoid tobacco products and work with your PCP to make a plan to quit smoking as soon as possible.

2. Receive Rest. Proper levels of rest can help your body get back to normal after a heart attack or similar heart event. It is especially important to get enough sleep each night as you continue to recover. As you sleep, your heart rate and blood pressure are lowered, giving your heart much needed relief. Light work around the house or visiting a friend are great ways to ease back into activities. If you feel tired during the day, make sure to take a break from activities and relax. Report any major problems sleeping to your PCP.

3. Curb Cuisine. Maintaining a heart-healthy diet is another important part of your recuperation. Foods that are low in cholesterol, saturated fat, and sodium are ideal choices and can promote good health and lower blood pressure. Be sure to reduce your intake of fatty foods, red meat, and fried or processed foods. Adding healthy foods to your diet, including fresh fruits and vegetables, fish, and whole grains can reduce your risk for more heart problems in the future.

4. Appreciate Activity. Exercise is a vital part of building heart health. Walking and other everyday tasks are a great way to add movement into your day in the weeks following a heart attack. Eventually, you can start to work in other heart-healthy activities such as biking, swimming, or playing tennis. Be sure to slowly build up your physical activity level based on the recommendations of your PCP.

5. Communicate Continually. As you recover from this medical event, be sure to stay in regular communication with your entire care team. Talk to your providers if you have any concerns or have noticed a difference -- positive or negative -- to your health. Listen to the recommendations of your providers and slowly incorporate new healthy habits into your life. Ask for information on how to enroll in a cardiac rehabilitation program, which can help you create these new routines.

The article above is to serve only as a guideline and should not be viewed as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. In the case of a medical emergency, contact your healthcare provider or call 911.

About Envolve, Inc.®

Envolve, Inc.® is a family of health solutions, working together to make healthcare simpler, more effective and more accessible for everyone. As an agent for change in healthcare, Envolve is committed to transforming the health of the community, one person at a time. Envolve unifies specialty pharmacyPBMvisiondental24/7 nurse advice servicesdiabetes managementMSO solutions, and more. For more information, please visit our website www.envolvehealth.com or contact us at mediainquiries@envolvehealth.com.