Heart Attack Treatment (cont.)
Oxygen
Oxygen also is commonly administered during the acute phase of a heart
attack as are narcotics such as morphine; these agents aid in the reduction of
discomfort and actually help minimize the amount of heart damage.
Coronary artery bypass
In some patients, PTCA can be technically difficult or dangerous to perform.
In others, PTCA and clot-dissolving medications may fail to achieve reperfusion
or maintain open arteries. These patients may be considered for coronary artery
bypass grafting surgery. For more information, please see the Coronary Artery
Bypass Graft article.
What can a patient expect during recovery from a heart attack?
Heart attack patients are monitored in the hospital for three or more days
prior to discharge home. Rhythm disturbances, shortness of breath due to heart
failure, or recurrent chest pain are reasons for further therapy such as balloon
angioplasty or coronary stenting, additional medications, or bypass surgery.
Patients gradually increase their activity under observation. Before
discharge, a low-level exercise stress test may be performed to detect important
residual narrowing in the coronary arteries, exercise-induced cardiac rhythm
abnormalities, and heart muscle failure, and to help guide the doctor in
prescribing an activity regimen after hospitalization. An abnormal stress test
prior to hospital discharge following a heart attack predicts a high risk for
subsequent cardiac events; if the patient has not yet had a coronary angiogram,
an abnormal pre-discharge stress test is a strong reason for doing angiography.
Since most patients usually receive angiography early, the use of pre-discharge
stress testing has declined.
Before resuming full activity or work, several weeks may
be needed for the heart muscle to heal. After a small heart
attack (little damage to heart muscle), patients usually can resume
normal activities after two weeks. These activities include returning to work as
well as normal sexual activity. A moderate heart attack
(moderate damage to heart muscle) requires limited, gradually increasing
activity for up to four weeks, while a large heart attack (much damage to heart muscle) may result in a recovery period of six weeks or
longer. These time frames are necessary in order for the dead heart muscle to
substantially complete the scarring process. During this healing period,
patients should avoid vigorous exertion and heavy lifting (over 20 pounds) or
any strenuous activity that causes shortness of breath or undue fatigue.
Cardiac rehabilitation typically begins during hospitalization and continues
during the months following a heart attack. Cardiac rehabilitation programs
provide a helpful transition to a safe and full return to a normal lifestyle. In
addition, cardiac rehabilitation allows the prescription of a long-term exercise
program tailored to each patient and helps patients and their families adjust to
lifestyle changes and the difficult and conflicting emotions that often follow a
heart attack.
Next: How can a second heart attack be prevented? »
- ACE Inhibitors - Read about ACE inhibitors like Altace, lisinopril, enalapril, ramparil, Zestril and more. Information includes side effects, drug interactions, and pregnancy safety information.
- Coronary Artery Bypass Graft - Read about heart bypass surgery (coronary artery bypass graft surgery, CABG) including how coronary artery disease is diagnosed, treated, recovery time, risks and complications, and the long term results after CABG.
- Congestive Heart Failure - Read about congestive heart failure symptoms like fatigue, abdomen, leg and ankle swelling, shortness of breath, sleeplessness, increased urination, nausea, abdominal pain, and decreased appetite.
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