After a Heart Attack Questions

1. How soon can you work after a heart attack?

   We are sorry to hear about your partner's heart attack. The time people are out of work following a heart attack can vary. Many times it depends upon the treatment that was done for the heart attack-for example, was an angioplasty done or stent placed, was there bypass surgery,etc...
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2. Is there a procedure to eliminate arterial fibrillation?

   There is a procedure called ablation, in which the electrical connection between the atria and ventricles is cauterized. This prevents the electrical impulses from the atria from being transmitted to the ventricles. The good news is that this can control your heart rate: the ventricles will no longer...
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3. Are intimate relations safe after a heart attack?

   Unfortunately, there's no way I can answer this question. The answer depends on so many different variables. Your husband really needs to go back and see a doctor who has access to his medical records to see if he's been fully treated. Best of luck to you both.
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4. What can swollen ankles mean after a heart attack?

   Swelling of the ankles, shortness of breath, and coughing are all symptoms of some degree of heart failure. But it's only been a week, so it's not cause for alarm. He'll have another evaluation in a few weeks, with an echocardiogram. And he'll continue to have medication adjustments to address any heart failure or persistent coronary artery disease...
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5. Is it normal to feel tightness, aches, and pains after a heart attack?

   First of all we are glad that you were given a good report that your arteries are open after your heart attack. Typically if there are no blockages in your hearts blood vessels you should not be experiencing any aches or pains after a heart attack. If you had a balloon or stent procedure sometimes people experience chest muscle aches post procedure...
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6. What does "marked tortuosit and calcification of the aorta" mean?

   Marked tortuosity and calcification of the aorta on a chest x-ray means the aorta (which is the main blood vessel that receives the blood directly from the heart) has many acute bends and has become hardened. The bends and curves in a blood vessel are usually hereditary but the calcification can be a...
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7. After a bypass, what exercise is the most beneficial?

   First of all, we are glad your recovery has been progressing well and that you are back to your normal activities. Exercise is very beneficial to your heart health post bypass surgery. While walking is the initial recommendation after surgery, people do resume more vigorous forms of exercise once they have been cleared by their cardiologist...
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8. Can Vitamin D affect heart rate if taken with other drugs?

   Vitamin D has been reported to interfere with the absorption and effects of some heart medications. There is very little data available on vitamin D interactions with the medications you listed but you must remember everyone responds differently to medications...
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9. Does a pacemaker keep working even after death?

   We are sorry to hear about the frail nature of your mother. Many people assume that pacemakers prolong life and keep people's hearts beating after death. Pacemakers generally improve quality of life in people with certain cardiac conditions but are not resuscitative devices(unless it is a pacemaker with a defibrillator)...
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10. How can I keep my father from overexerting himself after his heart attack?

    This is a difficult problem that often causes real conflicts. The best approach would be for the two of you to visit his physician together so that you can discuss what levels of activity are appropriate.
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11. How should I cook for a heart attack patient?

    You’re best bet is to prepare foods and meals from scratch. Prepared dishes and canned foods are generally very high in sodium (salt).
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