How treatment is done after a heart attack

The treatment of the heart attack must be done at the hospital and may include the use of medications to improve blood circulation and surgical procedures to restore the passage of blood to the heart.

It is important to know how to identify the first symptoms of infarction, such as severe chest pain, general discomfort and shortness of breath, especially after the first occurrence, so that the person is taken as soon as possible to the hospital, where they will be treated and monitored. to avoid serious complications and sequelae. Check which symptoms may indicate a possible heart attack.

The treatment options that are most commonly used by the doctor in a heart attack situation include:

1. Remedies

As the infarction occurs due to the obstruction of a blood vessel that feeds the heart, the first step in its treatment is usually the use of anti-platelet aggregation remedies that prevent the formation of blood clots and improve circulation. Some examples are aspirin, clopidogrel or prasugrel, for example. These drugs, in addition to helping in the treatment, also prevent the appearance of a new infarction.

In addition, medicines that lower blood pressure, relieve chest pain and relax the heart muscle can also be used, making the heartbeat return to normal.

Any of the medications used during treatment can be maintained for a period of several months or years, according to the doctor's guidelines and the severity of the infarction.

2. Angioplasty

Angioplasty, also called catheterization, is used when drug treatment is not sufficient to restore blood circulation. This procedure is done through a tube, called a catheter, which is placed in an artery in the leg or groin and which runs through the body to the blood vessel that is affected by the clot and suffering the infarction.

The catheter has a balloon at its tip that is inflated to open the blocked blood vessel, and in some cases a stent is placed , which is a small metal spring that helps prevent the vessel from closing again, causing a new infarction..

3. Surgery

In the most severe cases, it may be necessary to perform bypass surgery, which is usually done about 3 to 7 days after the heart attack. This surgery consists of removing a piece of saphenous vein, located in the leg, to replace the obstructed part of the heart artery, reactivating the normal blood flow to the organ.

Check out more about how this surgery is done and when it is indicated.

Physiotherapy after heart attack

Post-infarction physiotherapeutic treatment should be started at the hospital, after the cardiologist's release, and usually consists of:

• Breathing exercises to strengthen the lungs; Muscle stretches; Up and down stairs;

  Exercises to improve the conditioning of the body.

The intensity of the exercises varies according to the phase of rehabilitation the patient is in. Initially, it is suggested 5 to 10 minutes of exercise twice a day, which evolves until the individual is able to perform 1 hour of exercise per day, which usually happens 6 months after the infarction.

Routine after heart attack

After a heart attack, one should gradually return to normal routine, being able to perform activities such as driving and returning to work after medical authorization.

In general, patients continue to take blood thinning medications and try to practice physiotherapy exercises, in addition to having to take care of their weight, eat a healthy diet and practice physical activity regularly to strengthen the heart.

It is also important to remember that it is permitted to have intimate relationships normally, as the physical effort of this activity does not increase the risk of having a new heart attack. Learn more about what physical activity looks like after a heart attack.

How to prevent a new heart attack

Prevention of heart attack is done mainly with changes in lifestyle, which include having a healthy diet, doing physical activities, reducing stress and stop smoking and drinking alcoholic beverages. See more tips here.

Know what to eat to prevent heart attack: