Physiotherapy after a heart attack is all about preparing the affected person for the stresses and strains of everyday life. Especially the increase and the maintenance of the physical performance are in the foreground. During physiotherapy, the patient learns to move economically and is sensitized to signs of overstrain so that he can move actively according to his possibilities without endangering his health. During physiotherapy, relaxation techniques also play an important role, especially for tissues and muscles in the chest. Overall, physiotherapy after a heart attack is primarily designed to protect the patient from recurring heart problems in the long term.
What symptoms and signs indicate a heart attack?
A heart attack can often be detected in time if the signals are interpreted correctly. Various symptoms can be an indication of a heart attack: A tightness in the chest, which is compared by many with an elephant standing on the chest (angina pectoris). Severe chest pain after exertion, but which subsides after a few minutes Non-specific symptoms such as nausea and vomiting, shortness of breath or abdominal pain, with the difference that these are unusually severe.
Sweating with cold sweat and very pale face. If you notice one or more of these symptoms, do not hesitate to call an emergency doctor immediately.
- A feeling of tightness in the chest, which many compare to an elephant standing on the chest (angina pectoris)
- Severe pain in the heart area, which can often radiate to other parts of the body such as the arms, back or upper abdomen.
- Severe chest pain after exertion, which subsides after a few minutes
- Non-specific symptoms such as nausea and vomiting, shortness of breath or abdominal pain, with the difference that these are unusually severe.
- Sweating with cold sweat and very pale face.
What treatment should be given immediately after the infarction?
In the acute treatment of a heart attack, every second counts, since more heart muscle tissue dies off with longer treatment delay. Depending on the patient’s standard medication, initial measures taken by the emergency physician include the administration of nitroglycerin, blood thinners, painkillers and sedatives as well as agents to accelerate or slow down the heartbeat. In hospital, the therapy of choice is coronary angiography, in which the coronary vessels are dilated again and a stent (= vascular support made of stainless steel) is implanted.
If this therapeutic procedure is not possible, conservative thrombolysis can be used to dissolve the blood clot. In therapy after a heart attack, it is important to restore the patient’s confidence in his or her own body, to restore general physical performance, to reduce the psychological and social effects of the heart attack and to make patients more aware of healthy and less healthy behaviors. Rehabilitation is usually divided into three stages.
Stage 1: Early mobilization This phase usually takes place in hospital and lasts 7 days. After the analysis of the cause that led to the heart attack, patients are mobilized again as early as possible and prepared for stress. Physiotherapists in the hospital work with the patients every day.
Stage 2: Outpatient or inpatient rehabilitation measures The second phase of therapy covers a period of 4-12 weeks and is led by specially trained physiotherapists. The rehabilitation focuses on increasing physical performance through exercise, information and examples of preventive measures, developing a better feeling for one’s own body, relaxation techniques, psychological care of the patients and nutritional advice. Stage 3: Long-term rehabilitation The last stage of rehabilitation means regular check-ups with the doctor, exchange with other patients, possibly joining a heart group, regular training and a conscious lifestyle to prevent a new heart attack.
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