Prevention
So how can you prevent a heart attack? A healthy lifestyle is the most important thing. Smoking is associated with a threefold increased risk of heart attack.
It should be stopped as soon as possible. A healthy so-called “Mediterranean” diet is sensible. You should eat little animal fat and meat.
It is better to eat vegetable oils and lots of vegetables and fruit. Regular exercise can reduce the risk of myocardial infarction. Anyone suffering from risk factors such as diabetes mellitus or high blood pressure should keep the values within the normal range under strict control.
Rehabilitation
Rehabilitation, or rehab for short, is intended to help people with heart disease to recover physically and mentally as far as possible and to return to everyday life. There are four areas of heart rehabilitation. The rehabilitation is divided into three phases: Phase 1 begins in hospital.
A rapid mobilization is aimed for. Phase 2 takes place either as an inpatient or outpatient in a rehabilitation clinic. The program includes the four fields of cardiac rehabilitation mentioned above.
Phase 3 includes the lifelong aftercare of the infarct patient. The aim is to enable the patient to lead a normal everyday life again and to ensure that he/she is only slightly or not at all restricted by the consequences of a heart attack.
- Somatic (physical): An individually designed training measure should help those affected to become fit and resilient again.
- Educational: A healthy lifestyle should be acquired.
Additionally, the medication is discussed. Why this is important and what the consequences are of not taking the medication. In this way, those affected are more sensitive and take them more regularly.
- Mental: Often heart attack patients suffer from psychological problems such as depression or anxiety. Trained staff is on site and can support the affected persons.
- Social: A caregiver helps the patient to get back into everyday life. Tips and information are given in various areas such as air travel, driving, job, sexuality.
