6 things to keep in mind when recovering from a heart attack
Most people survive a first heart attack and go on to live a full and productive life. However, a heart attack is also a warning sign that you need to re-evaluate and reassess your life. It is also an opportune time for you to go back to the drawing board and see where you went wrong with your overall well-being.
While recovery begins in the hospital, it needs to continue onwards through the rest of your life as well. Look at this as not a mishap, but an opportunity to rebalance your life.
Here is a six-point check list for you to follow post a heart attack:
1. Get to the root of the problem
Heart attacks happen for a reason. It could be inadequate rest, overstress, or simply wrong lifestyle choices. A health and wellness coach can help you make a balance sheet of your life and ensure you add towards the wellness quotient.
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| A heart attack is also a warning sign that you need to re-evaluate and reassess your life. |
2. Quit smoking
Quitting smoking after a heart attack improves quality of life and reduces chest pain. It basically reduces the risk of getting a stroke just when you are recovering from a heart attack.
3. Take it easy
Most of us panic a lot when recovering from a heart attack. The panic increases stress and directly affects our heart. So the key to recover as early as possible is to take it easy and relax as much as possible.
4. Surround yourself with loved ones
A recent Tedx Talk based on a study on human relationships showed that staying close to your loved ones is the best medicine to recover from any type of disease. Family and friends fill our hearts with happiness and joy, which directly helps us in reducing stress and helps us in keeping our mind relaxed.
6. Gradually make changes in your eating and lifestyle habits
A healthy diet which can lead to a healthy lifestyle after a heart attack looks like this:
a) Eat low saturated fat.
b) Consume a good amount of fruits and vegetables every day.
c) Have at least two servings of fish a week.
d) Eat fiber-rich whole grains every day.
e) Consume meals which are low in sodium.
7. Learn how to de-stress
a) Stay positive: Laughter is the best medicine to reduce stress hormones, increase "good" HDL cholesterol and reduce inflammation in the arteries.
b) Meditate: This includes deep breathing which has been shown to reduce heart disease risk factors, such as high blood pressure and stress management.
c) Exercise: Exercising not only reduces stress, it also protects from heart disease by lowering your blood pressure, improves your heart muscle, and helps to maintain a healthy weight.
d) Unplug: This is the most difficult thing to do. But this will help a lot. Unplug yourself from all types of gadgets and try to live your life away from electronics as much as possible.
e) Hobby: It is very important to have a hobby which can automatically make you stay healthy and fit. This helps to de-stress and improves your lifestyle.