Heart attack is a type of ischemic heart disease related to insufficient blood flow that can be caused by multiple causes. However, these types of health problems have a psychological dimension that should not be overlooked.
Therefore, in this article we will review the main Tips to keep in mind to lead a healthy life after having suffered a heart attack
Tips for leading a healthy life after having a heart attack
Here you will find the main recommendations and general advice to take into account to lead a healthy and active life, but without falling into stress, after suffering a heart attack, although the specific instructions of the doctor who has treated the person studying their case always weigh more. particular. And of course, the medication plans prescribed by the doctor must be followed in a disciplined manner.
1. Avoid drug use
One of the main recommendations that health professionals make once you have suffered a heart attack is to avoid at all costs the consumption of drugs of all types, especially psychostimulants.
Psychostimulants such as amphetamines, cocaine or methylxanthines are highly related to cardiovascular accidents and increase the risk of suffering from them after repeated consumption of them.
In addition to that, the consumption of alcohol should also be avoided, a drug whose consumption also increases the risk of suffering from alcoholic cardiomyopathies and many other types of cardiovascular diseases.
Tobacco is another of the most harmful addictive substances for our health for those who are at high risk of suffering a heart attack and scientific research in this regard has shown that its consumption increases the risk of suffering from cardiovascular diseases and all types of heart disorders.
People who smoke regularly are more likely to develop all types of heart-related diseases throughout their lives, among the most common of which are blood clots, which can cause heart attacks and also arteriosclerosis or deterioration of the arteries.
That is why people who have suffered a heart attack are strongly recommended to completely eliminate tobacco from their lives and be in a smoke-free environment at all times, both inside and outside the home.
3. Have a fixed schedule
Establish detailed and fixed weekly schedules about the activities that we must carry out every day and every hour will allow us to carry out in time all the tasks and occupations that we must attend to.
In addition to that, following clear routines and being clear at all times about what we should do will help us not improvise or put ourselves in stressful situations due to lack of time or planning that could affect our cardiovascular health.
4. Do moderate physical exercise
Physical exercise is one of the healthiest activities that exist for both our physical and mental health, even after having a heart attack. as long as we adjust it to the efforts we can make ; That is why one of the most common recommendations for people who have suffered a health crisis of this type is to perform routines that keep our muscles activated.
Weekly exercise should be done at the level of intensity recommended by the doctor to keep the circulatory system in good condition and not reach levels of physical demand that could endanger our convalescent health.
5. Avoid binge eating
Binge eating usually occurs in situations of anxiety or stress, even without being really hungry But if it becomes something frequent, it damages physical and mental health.
That is why after an accident of this type it is important to prevent, above all, the possibility of binge eating. food that can present problems for our circulatory system This can be achieved by putting into practice a series of daily strategies.
Some of these strategies that we can use to avoid binge eating can be: Avoid going to the supermarket hungry, stop having ultra-processed snacks that are easily accessible at all times and eat following a rigid daily schedule.
6. Sleep well
Sleeping the hours necessary to rest also prevents the appearance of all types of cardiovascular problems and helps us not be vulnerable to stress and anxiety due to fatigue
Maintaining good sleeping habits will help us successfully overcome our recovery, as will having a calm and smooth pace of life.
7. Eat well
Eating well means starting a healthy diet with foods recommended for our specific case, which can be indicated by a doctor or nutritionist, and also following a stable meal schedule, to always eat them at the same time and Don’t give in so much to the temptation to snack between meals
Healthy eating is a fundamental pillar on which we will build our recovery, which is why it is advisable to stop consuming processed, fatty, fried or very sweet foods and start eating more fruits, vegetables, legumes and light foods.
In order to delve into relaxing habits in our new life, we can also perform all types of relaxation exercises once a day, with the aim of overcoming the possible stress that we may be feeling.
The relaxation exercises that we can put into practice daily can be Mindfulness, yoga or the different types of oriental relaxation that exist and that can be easily trained.
9. Go to the psychologist
Another recommendation that we can follow after suffering a heart attack is to consult a psychology professional to treat all those problems or alterations that we may continue to feel on a psychological level associated with health, and that may be cause and/or consequence of risk situations for our heart
A psychologist will listen to everything we need to share and will give us guidelines and strategies of all kinds to lead a more relaxed and healthy life in accordance with our health needs.
Do you need professional psychological help?
If you are looking for the services of a psychologist, contact me.
My name is Thomas Saint Cecilia and I can assist you in person or by video call.
