CHELSEY HANSEN

CHRIS RODEBACK
CLAUDIA ZUNDEL
MARIETTE ARMITSTEAD
WHAT IS A HEART ATTACK OR
MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION?

A heart attack is when there is a loss of living
heart muscle as a result of one of the
coronary arteries, or the arteries that supply
oxygen rich blood to your heart, being
blocked. This was most likely caused by
plaque that became loose and blocked the
artery, this blockage stopped or severely
slowed down the blood flow long enough that
the muscle tissue that is downstream of the
occlusion died due to lack of oxygen.

SKILLS NECESSARY FOR SELF CARE
Motivation
Awareness of importance of what is
being learned
Readiness to learn
Willing to learn
Determine personal attributes that may
influence learning



GOALS
After reading this pamphlet and discharge teaching
you will be able to:
Identify and verbalize signs and symptoms
of a heart attack
Understand what a heart attack is and the
cause
Understand medication regiments and
treatment
Understand lifestyle changes to improve
heart health
Understand when to contact your physician
or seek medical help

















HEALTHY HEART,
HEALTHY YOU




MEDICATIONS
The medications prescribed to you are
important for your health. The medications are
prescribed according to your specific
conditions. You need to communicate with
your healthcare providers about your
medications. The need your feedback to
understand how youre responding to
treatment and make any necessary
adjustments.

Helpful Hints
Know your medications and why you
are taking them
Talk to your physician about any
other medications youre taking
Talk to your healthcare provider
before you take over the counter
medications
Organize your pills
Keep a list of all your medications
with you
Take your medications at the same
time everyday
Do not stop or change the
medication without your physicians
knowledge
Do not take herbal or dietary
supplements unless you check with
your physician
* Included with your discharge teaching is a
copy of all your medications and information
about each drug

1- Stop Smoking
Smoking is related to an increase risk of a heart
attack and its complication. Even if you are not a
smoker, living with someone who does smoke can
still be problematic. Secondhand smoke is just as
dangerous.

2- Control High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure makes the heart work harder
and can cause heart damage. A diet with low salt
intake and medications can help control high blood
pressure.

3- Maintain Diabetes Control
It is important to maintain normal blood sugar.
Blood sugar control improves the heal process and
helps prevent complications. Follow a controlled
meal plan and exercise program.



4- Change Your Diet
After having a heart attack, its important to make
some diet changes. This includes limiting salt intake. A
regular diet provides more than enough salt, even if
you do not use salt. Try to avoid processed and
canned foods, and remove the salt shaker from your
table. You also need to limit your fluids to less than 8
cups per day. Also, avoid alcohol. Other diet changes
include:
Eat more fresh/frozen vegetable, fruits, whole
grains, beans and fiber
Limit/omit fatty foods
Eat smaller portions/ more frequent meals and
avoid large meals

5- Participate in Regular Acitivity
Regular physical activity helps your heart and the rest
of your body get stronger and work better. Physical
activity reduces your chances future heart problems,
including a heart attack. One best ways to do this is
joining a cardiac rehabilitation program. Cardiac
rehabilitation is a professionally supervised program to
help people recover from heart attacks. Cardiac rehab
includes education and counseling services to help
heart patients increase physical fitness, reduce cardiac
symptoms, and reduce the risk of future heart
problems

6- Weigh Yourself Each Day
Each morning, you can take another step towards
controlling your heart failure symptoms by getting on
the scale. By weighing yourself daily and recording it,
you and your healthcare providers will know if your
heart failure is under control. Changes in your weight
can mean you are gaining or losing fluid. Call your
healthcare provider if:
You gain 2 or more pounds in one day
You gain 5 pounds over your target weight





LIFESTYLE
CHANGES


WHEN IS IT SAFE TO HAVE SEX?



It is normal to have decreased sexual interest after a
heart attack; theses feelings will improve as your body
heals. Healthcare providers believe that you can have
sex as soon as you feel able to. The physical effort of
sexual activity is comparable to walking up two flights
of stairs at a good pace. When you are able to achieve
this, you should be able to resume your sexual activity.

WHEN TO GET HELP
You will need to contact your physician if you
experience any of these symptoms to prevent them
from worsening:
Weight is up 2 or more pounds in one day or up 5
pounds over your target weight
Noticeable swelling or bloating
Some difficulty breathing with activity and at night
If you do not feel well
Symptoms are worsening

You will need to be aware of some symptoms that will
indicate that you need to go the nearest Emergency
Room or call 911:
Pain or pressure felt mainly in the center of the
chest; pain can radiate into the neck, jaw,
shoulders, or arms.
o Pain is dull or heavy
o Pain lasts longer than 30 minutes
Shortness of Breath
Nausea and/or vomiting
Sweating







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