If you or someone around you is experiencing signs of a heart attack, such as chest pain, shortness of breath, nausea, or discomfort in the arms, neck, jaw or back, call 911 immediately. Do not wait or try to drive yourself to the hospital. Every second counts, and emergency responders can begin life-saving treatment on the way to the hospital.
If you’ve been diagnosed with coronary artery disease, follow-up appointments with your primary care provider, cardiologist and other providers will give you the skills and knowledge to take steps to protect your heart in the future.
If treatment for your condition included a heart bypass, recovery will be lengthy. As you recover, carefully follow your care team’s guidance about what you can and can’t do.
In many cases, your provider will recommend you participate in cardiac rehabilitation, a specialized program to help you care for your heart. During this program, you’ll perform supervised exercise and receive nutritional counseling and other supportive services, such as smoking cessation tools.
In addition to participating in cardiac rehabilitation, protect your heart by taking medications as prescribed, staying physically active, eating a healthy diet and getting enough quality sleep.
