Support

 

 

It can take many months to recover from a heart attack, so in that time we receive support from a range of healthcare professionals. Other support can come from family, friends, our community, and the workplace. 

Support from family, in particular our household, is vital in establishing new habits and routines. From diet changes to lifestyle changes, family supporting the changes can contribute to kicking unhealthy habits permanently, for example, smoking. 

As soon as we are going out for short walks having a walking buddy can be beneficial for physical support (if needed) and emotional support. For those who do not have a walking buddy, having a mobile phone at hand may offer reassurance should assistance be needed. 

Support can come from many sources including local and/or online support groups. These can be helpful in many ways: we can take what we need from these groups, of which many things are positive, but we must be mindful everyone has different circumstances hence different journeys. Not everyone finds support in groups and that is okay. Some get their support from healthcare professionals, others from their family and friends. We should not feel pressured to join support groups, but it’s important we do not isolate ourselves or close off from the support that is around us. 

We don’t just need physical and emotional support we also need psychological support after a heart attack. This can come from social support which benefits health and well-being through social integration, from counselling services or from cardiac rehabilitation programmes.