The American Heart Association (2016) recommends these five steps to give yourself the best chance at recovery from a heart attack.
Take any prescribed medication.
Follow the instructions of your doctor and take all medication as directed. Depending on the severity of heart damage and the underlying causes, you may be prescribed a range of medication. It is important to know what you are taking, what it does, how and when to take it, and any possible side effects.
Continue to see your doctor
Attend any follow-up appointments scheduled with your doctor so that they can monitor your progress. Your doctor will continue to assess the effectiveness of your treatment.
Complete cardiac rehabilitation
Cardiac rehabilitation is a medically supervised program aimed at making your recovery successful. Get support
Getting support from loved ones, health professionals and support groups can help reduce the emotional burden.
Change your lifestyle
High blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes are major risk factors of having a heart attack. Quit smoking. Eat a healthy diet. Stay active.
Rick Good spent ten years in the newspaper business, including with The News & Observer (Raleigh, NC) and The Greenville News (Greenville, SC). He co-wrote, with Melinda Coleman, Rutledge to Riley: Governors of South Carolina, 1776–Present (Published by The Greenville News), and is the author of Mind Games Trivia #1 (Amazon). He has recently spent 15 years creating original trivia content through Sounds Good Mobile Entertainment and continues that with his new company, SGME Software. He edits The Smart Reader’s money, real estate, and business coverage.