Relive Post Heart Attack
So, you have had a heart attack and survived; you feel you are at a bend in the road and do not know what lies up ahead. Now is the time to take that step forward, navigate the bend and make changes in your life for a healthier future. The key to a full recovery and a quicker track to health is to opt for cardiac rehab. Not only will it help you get back on your feet faster, but will help prevent another heart attack.
About Cardiac Rehab
Cardiac rehabilitation is a specialized program which includes a tailor-made program in which various therapies and treatments are used, such as:
- Skilled nursing care
- Physio and activity therapy
- Nutrition counseling
- Lifestyle education, support
- Emotional counseling sessions enhance the patient’s confidence and help him/her get back to normal life.
The individualized plan that is established by the multidisciplinary team helps the patient regain strength and prevents worsening of the condition.This kind of a program is essential if the patient has to live a healthy and quality life post an attack; it also reduces the risk of a subsequent heart attack.
Some Facts
As a rule, all patients who have suffered a heart attack will be referred to cardiac rehab; however studies have shown that barely 15% of these patients bother to participate in a rehab program after their discharge from the hospital. Very few realize that going through cardiac rehabilitation will increase their independence and strength and help manage the condition. There will be reduced pain and less need for medications to reduce the pain. There will also be a significant improvement in overall health & wellbeing. Opting for cardiac rehabilitation is one of the best and most beneficial decisions that a patient and his or her family can make.
Things to Focus On
At the outset, the patient may feel that the treatment will not do him/her much good; but once they start on it and notice the good it is doing for their overall health, they will be able to become more actively-involved in the rehabilitation process. There are some basic things that every heart attack survivor should do:
Active Lifestyle- The one way to strengthen the heart is to incorporate some simple exercises into the daily routine. When cardiovascular fitness improves, it boosts HDL levels and reduces the levels of LDL, improves circulation, reduces blood pressure etc. Those who go through a specialized cardiac rehab program in an in-patient rehab facility, tend to benefit more.
Healthy Eating- At the rehab center, the nutritionists design a special nutrition plan for the patient and he/she will also be provided guidance about the food plan that will have to be followed after they return to their home. The right diet becomes a crucial component in preventing primary & secondary cardiac events.
Getting Support- When the patient reaches out to close family & friends it improves his/her overall wellbeing; social interaction goes a long way in improving wellness in the 1st year post a heart attack.
Staying Busy/Active- It’s important for heart attack survivors to keep their hands busy and engage in activities that they like. This is also a great time to learn new things and pick up new hobbies such as painting, sewing, woodworking, pottery etc- this calms fidgety feelings and reduces stress.
De-Stressing the Yoga Way
It’s very important for the person to dispel stress from his/her life. Getting some guidance on how to perform basic yoga techniques such as deep breathing etc also helps in alleviating stress levels. It is a fact that yoga goes a long way in improving cardiovascular health. The different yoga postures exercise the muscles very gently and this is good for the heart & blood vessels.
The different deep-breathing yoga exercises help in slowing-down the breathing rate and temporarily lowers the blood pressure. It helps in calming the sympathetic nervous system and reduces the production of stress hormones. Yoga and meditation have shown to be highly beneficial for individuals with cardiovascular disease.
When you opt for cardiac rehab services at SuVitas, the doctors provide guidance and advice about how you can recover fast and get back to a normal life. For more information call SuVitas on 7702891919