Your follow-up care will depend on your diagnosis, your treatment, and any other health conditions you may have. If a blood clot caused your AMI, you may need long-term medicines.
Improving your overall health and managing any chronic conditions will also be an important part of your follow-up care for AMI or CMI.
In some patients, over-the-counter aspirin can thin the blood and reduce the risk for clots that can cause heart attacks or strokes. You should only use daily aspirin therapy if it is recommended by your doctor.
This type of medicine helps prevent blood clots from developing.
- Control stress. Learn to identify stress and find calming activities that can help you manage stressful situations.
- Eat a healthy diet. This includes eating fruits and veggies, lean meats, nuts, beans, fish and whole grains. Limit sodium, added sugars and unhealthy fats.
- Get seven to nine hours of quality sleep per night.
- Limit alcohol. Men should have no more than two drinks per day, and women should aim for no more than one drink per day.
- Manage other health problems, such as high blood pressure and diabetes, by taking medicines properly and following your provider’s guidance.
- Quit smoking. If you smoke or vape, take steps to quit. Try to avoid secondhand smoke, too.
- Watch your weight. Take steps to reach and maintain a healthy weight.
- Stay physically active. Try to get at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise five days a week. Talk to your provider about what exercises are good for you. Be sure to watch for signs that your heart is working too hard. If you become short of breath or dizzy while exercising, stop and rest right away.
- Wear compression stockings. Some patients may benefit from wearing compression stockings, also called support stockings. These are special socks of varying lengths that gently squeeze your legs as you wear them. The compression helps blood move up your legs to reduce swelling and blood clots.
Your UK Gill Heart & Vascular Institute team will guide you in the months after your diagnosis and treatment. It is important to show up for every scheduled visit. Always tell your doctor about any new symptoms you have. Also, do not start any new medicines or supplements without their OK.
