What to Expect When Recovering After Experiencing a Heart Attack

Senior Heart Health  |  February 18, 2019

What Every Senior in Victoria, BC Needs to Know About Heart Attack AfterCare

Heart attack, or acute myocardial infarction (AMI), survivors often continue to thrive for many more years afterward. However, a loved one needs proper medical attention and recommended lifestyle changes by the medical team.

Depending on the damage caused by the heart attack, older adults usually require at least 8 weeks of recovery, but some older adults could be prone to complications, which can create the need for longer care.

What Type of Lifestyle Changes Might Be Anticipated After a Heart Attack?

Initially, depression, fear, and anger might emerge. Fortunately, once routine activities resume, the negative emotions tend to fade. Your older loved one needs to rest and sleep well, but it’s just as important that hobbies and normal life resume, also. Sharing feelings with close family, friends, clergy or a support group is healthy.

What to Expect After a Heart Attack:

#1. Weakness:

The patient will feel weak for at least the first week home from the hospital. Heart attacks damage heart muscle so fatigue can be expected. Remaining in bed makes the body even weaker.

#2. Personal Hygiene:

When the older adult gets home, he or she should be able to dress, bathe, and take care of personal hygiene pretty well.

#3. Physical Activity:

The physician will prescribe walking short distances to build energy, strength, and stamina.

#4. Patient Independence:

Slowly, adding in some cooking, cleaning and laundry will help the adult feel independent again. Before living independently, an older patient may need to learn energy-conserving techniques from an occupational therapist or professional caregiver. Avoid strenuous activities like lifting, pushing and pulling heavy objects until the attending physician approves.

#5. Healthy Diet:

A healthy diet will probably be suggested with some food restrictions. Whole foods, fruits and vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and small amounts of high-quality protein foods. Complex carbohydrates can increase energy, but avoid simple carbs and sugary foods.

#6. Medication:

Medications to prevent blood clots and improve heart performance might be prescribed. In addition, prescriptions for irregular heartbeats, high blood pressure, or pain might be advised. Proper dosage, including time of day, and whether the dose should be taken on an empty stomach must be considered. An older adult may need medication reminders.

At Comfort Keepers® Victoria we feel that home is the best place to be.

If you are concerned about the health and well-being of your aging loved ones we can help with 24-hour care, overnight care, respite care, senior care, companionship care, end-of-life care, post-surgery care, palliative care, personal care, senior living transition services, and much more! 

Comfort Keepers® Victoria provides in-home elderly care services

Comfort Keepers® trained caregivers help provide senior clients with the highest quality of life possible to keep them happy and healthy at home. Our Interactive Caregiving™ system provides care that addresses safety, nutrition, mind, body, and activities of daily living (ADLs).

Comfort Keepers® Victoria in-home caregivers can help with Interactive Caregiving™

Our philosophy is to elevate the human spirit and our caregivers will be there every step of the way to ensure your loved one has a better quality of life. Personal and empathetic care is care that starts in the heart, and it allows us to meet our client’s exact needs. 

Learn more about our unique service which offers respite care, overnight care, personal care, companionship care, palliative care, and end-of-life care by contacting the Comfort Keepers Victoria office.

Comfort Keepers® Victoria is proud to provide senior care and home care services to keep seniors safe in their homes.

If you are searching for home care near me, Comfort Keepers® Victoria can provide home care for the seniors of Victoria and the surrounding areas of Colwood, Saanich, Sidney, James Bay, and Oak Bay. Please call (778) 265-5999 and learn how your loved ones can receive compassionate, professional in-home care.

Quality and Accredited Respite Care for British Columbia Families

Comfort Keepers® Victoria has been accredited with Exemplary Standing with Accreditation Canada. Accreditation is an intensive process in which industry experts examine an organization’s processes, policies, and procedures against quality standards. To achieve accredited status, Comfort Keepers offices met or exceeded the rigorous standards for Home Care companies, as defined by Accreditation Canada. 

Share This Post: