Heart Attack Recovery: Returning to Usual Activities
After a
heart attack, most people are able to return to their normal activities, including:
- Driving
- Physical activity
- Work
- Sexual activity
- Strenuous activities (running, heavy lifting, etc.)
- Air travel.
Following an uncomplicated heart attack, many people without chest pain can safely return to most of their usual activities within a few weeks. Most can begin walking immediately. Sexual activity with the usual partner can also begin within a few weeks for most patients who do not have chest pain or other complications.
If allowed by state law, most patients who do not have chest pain or other complications can usually begin driving again within a week. Each state has rules for driving a motor vehicle following a serious illness. Patients with complications or chest pain should not drive until their symptoms have been stable for a few weeks.
Make sure that you talk to your doctor about when it is okay to return to each of these activities.
Heart Attack Recovery and Lifestyle Changes
Everyone who has had a heart attack needs to make some lifestyle changes as part of their heart attack recovery. These changes involve minimizing the risk factors for another heart attack. Some of these lifestyle changes can include:
Adopting new habits, such as not smoking, following a heart-healthy eating plan, maintaining a healthy weight, and becoming more physically active can go a long way in helping to reduce your risk of complications from
heart disease. You may need to manage certain risk factors persistently. For example, having a heart attack means that if you have high levels of a type of cholesterol called low density lipoprotein (
LDL), the
bad cholesterol, your goal should be to bring the level to below 100 mg/dL. With your doctor, go over your
heart disease risk factors and discuss how to reduce or eliminate each one.
Previous
Add this article to your Favorites
Email this article
Print