Heart Attack Recovery
Heart attack recovery often involves making lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking, changing your diet, and increasing your physical activity. Cardiac rehabilitation programs help patients throughout their recovery; these programs include education on heart-healthy living, exercise training, and counseling to reduce stress and help patients return to an active life. Medications prescribed for heart attack recovery include beta blockers, cholesterol medications, and anticoagulants.
An Introduction to Heart Attack Recovery
There are millions of people who have survived a
heart attack, and many have a full recovery and are able to lead full and productive lives.
During heart attack recovery, your goals are to:
- Recover and resume normal activities as much as possible
- Prevent another heart attack
- Prevent complications, such as heart failure or cardiac arrest.
After a heart attack, you will need to see your doctor regularly for checkups and tests to see how your heart is doing. Your doctor will also most likely recommend:
- Lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking, changing your diet, or increasing your physical activity
- Participation in a cardiac rehabilitation program
- Medications such as aspirin, nitroglycerin tablets for angina, medicines to lower your cholesterol or blood pressure, and medicines to help reduce your heart's workload.
Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
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