Going home: the first few weeks
As a heart patient, it's important to resume physical activity when you get home. Although exercise is necessary to prevent another attack, it should be done in moderation. |
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Heart patient: handling stress
After a heart attack, your life will necessarily change to a certain degree. This can affect your relationship to loved ones and can possibly cause stress. |
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Taking medication
Medication is an essential part of the heart patient’s life, but can be dangerous as well. Here's what you need to know. |
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The spouse: being informed
Although the heart patient is in good hands at hospital, the partner will be in charge at home. |
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The spouse: beware of over-protectiveness
Being over-protective after your partner’s heart attack could be a serious error. You should support him or her in doing more each day without taking over his or her role. |
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The spouse: coping with denial
You know your partner is in denial when he/she refuses to believe that the heart attack actually happened. Psychologists would tell you that denial is one way to deal with trauma. |
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Healthy mind, healthy heart
Once your heart has been repaired, allow time for healing the mind, says Dr Sharon Frewen, who believes patients should attend at least one session with a psychologist. |
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Depression can break your heart
Depression can be dangerous to someone who has had a heart attack and untreated depression can increase the risk of another attack, writes Prof Piet Oosthuizen. |
