After a Heart Attack
If you have recently experienced a heart attack, your doctor may prescribe cardiac rehabilitation. Rehab can help you recover from a heart attack and help prevent another heart attack. Almost everyone who has survived a heart attack can benefit from additional therapy.
Your cardiac rehab team may include:
Your family doctor
A heart specialist
A surgeon
Nurses
Exercise specialists
Physical therapists and occupational therapists
Dietitians
Psychologists or other behavior therapists
These health professionals will work with you on two important prevention and recovery methods:
Exercise training to help you learn how to exercise safely, strengthen your muscles, and improve your stamina. Your exercise plan will be based on your individual ability, needs, and interests.
Education, counseling, and training to help you understand your heart condition and find ways to reduce your risk of future heart problems. Your cardiac rehab team will help you learn how to cope with the stress of adjusting to a new lifestyle and to deal with your fears about the future.
With these specialists by your side, you should be able to understand your condition better. You’ll also be able to devise a plan to help avoid another heart attack. There are many resources available for those with cardiac problems — take advantage of these health professionals!
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