[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2019\/07\/follow-up-after-heart-attack\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2019\/07\/follow-up-after-heart-attack\/","headline":"What to Expect: Follow Up Care After a Heart Attack","name":"What to Expect: Follow Up Care After a Heart Attack","description":"After a heart attack, your care continues outside of the hospital. Learn more about rehabilitation, medication, and adopting a healthy lifestyle.","datePublished":"2019-07-17","dateModified":"2019-08-05","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/heart-vascular","name":"Heart and Vascular Institute","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/heart-vascular","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/heart-and-vascular-institute\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/heart-attack_blg.jpg","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/heart-attack_blg.jpg","height":327,"width":754},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2019\/07\/follow-up-after-heart-attack\/","about":["Heart and Vascular Health","Living and Wellness"],"wordCount":510,"keywords":["American Heart Association","heart attack","UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute"],"articleBody":"If you’ve recently had a heart attack, following your doctor\u2019s recommendations is important to your recovery.Before you leave the hospital, you and your family will learn about the follow-up care necessary to help you get back to living a healthy life.Learn more about the conditions treated at the UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute.Heart Attack Recovery Many people go on to resume their normal activities after a heart attack. However, you will have to make some changes in your lifestyle to prevent another heart attack. Your recovery process will include:In-hospital care \u2013 Following a heart attack, you’ll stay in the hospital for at least a few days. You may start out in an intensive care unit before moving to a step-down cardiac unit. Your doctors will monitor your heart and vital signs (blood pressure, pulse, etc.) and teach you about self-care and lifestyle changes you’ll need to make.Follow-up care may include blood tests to determine how damaged your heart is and whether you’re at risk for complications or future heart attacks.Medicine \u2013 Your doctor may prescribe a variety of medicines to help you recover and stay healthy. You’ll begin taking them while you’re still in the hospital and continue to take them after you go home. The goal of most of these medicines is to help you feel better, heal your heart, and prevent future attacks.Rehabilitation \u2013 Your doctor may recommend cardiac rehabilitation to strengthen your heart and improve your overall health. The American Heart Association reports that longer, more intense cardiac rehab is linked to better health outcomes. Ask your doctor what rehab plan is right for you.Part of your rehabilitation is to get you moving as soon as your doctor allows. Your care team will help you get up and about while you’re still in the hospital, which is important for improving and maintaining blood flow.Lifestyle changes \u2013 It’s likely that your doctor will prescribe a variety of lifestyle changes to help your heart heal and prevent another heart attack. You should make these changes permanent in order to live a healthy life after a heart attack. According to the American Heart Association, lifestyle changes may include:Becoming more activeReducing stressEating a heart-healthy dietWatching your cholesterol levelsAvoiding tobacco and other drugsTaking prescribed medicines and managing other health conditions, like high blood pressure and diabetesYour Heart Attack Care TeamAt the UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute, our team of doctors will coordinate the best possible care for you following a heart attack. This team approach is essential for providing you with personalized, expert care. You should continue to see members of your care team for check-ups following a hospitalization.Most importantly, learn the warning signs of a heart attack and teach them to your loved ones so that you can get immediate medical care if you experience another heart attack.For more information, visit the UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute or make an appointment at a location near you."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2019","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2019\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"07","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2019\/\/07\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"What to Expect: Follow Up Care After a Heart Attack","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2019\/07\/follow-up-after-heart-attack\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]