After an acute cardiovascular event such as a heart attack, patients usually have many doubts about what their quality of life will be like afterwards (functionality, lifestyle, physical activity, etc...). These events bring several changes that we will try to summarize in the most important ones so that the patient can focus on them.
- Cardiac rehabilitation, do I need it?: It is one of the most frequently asked questions. It is recommended in all patients after an MI. The components of cardiac rehabilitation should include: patient assessment, management and control of risk factors, physical activity counseling, training prescription, patient education, psychosocial management and vocational support.
- Should I quit tobacco?: Since smoking cessation is associated with a reduction in reinfarction (30–40%) and death (35–45%) after MI, the answer is YES.
- Should I give up alcohol?: It is scientifically proven that those who do not consume alcohol have a lower risk of cardiovascular events since any amount of alcohol increases blood pressure and body mass index. The European Society of Cardiology guidelines recommend a maximum consumption of 100g per week (men and women).
- What should my diet be like from now on?a?: A healthy diet is also associated with a decrease in cardiovascular events. The recommended one is the Mediterranean diet.
- Can I do exercise? How much and what type?: Sedentary lifestyle is an independent risk factor for mortality in general. For this reason, in the general population and in patients with previous heart attacks, what is recommended is a combination of aerobic physical activity (walking, running, swimming, etc.) with moderate resistance exercises at least 3-4 times per week.
- Is the medication I am taking forever?: At the time of discharge after a heart attack, many patients have many new pills, some of which can be withdrawn over time and others that will be kept indefinitely. For this reason, it is important to continue cardiological follow-up in the consultation for these treatment adjustments.
- What are the risk factors that I should control?: The most common are usually a healthy lifestyle, smoking, alcoholism, obesity, high blood pressure, dyslipidemia (hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia or both) and diabetes.
By Dr. Ana Lucia Rivero , specialist at UICAR