Post Heart Attck Care

My husband is 43-perfect weight no high chol or blood pressure and had a massive heart attack. They said a piece of plaque happened to losen (he did smoke) and 100% clogged the front left part of his heart- good news he lived and the rest of his heart is healthy but the bad side is that there was damage. His ejection Fraction is about 38%- He is an ironworker and is normally very physical- he is out of work ever since and goes to cardiac rehab 3x a week. He is complaining of being out of breath from the damage but he also gained 25lbs-has not done anything to rehabilite himself for 6 months.....can't this make him worse? I think he should be walking or doing something to build up his momentem...... he says I don't understand and that he is fine doing nothing.....He doe not seem to be depressed but how can he not be? I wish I knew of a forum that included young people that have had heart attcks and have sucess stories to share....I believe that he would be more willing to listen to someone that has gone through the same thing and gets where he is coming from.....does anyone know of a good place for him to go......? Thanks.

[ireneo]

It's quite normal for depression to hit folks that have had heart attacks. It's a big event particularly in someone fairly young as your husband. It's a life changing experience for him. The extra weight isn't doing him any favors. It's more stuff to carry around when he is active. You said he "goes to cardiac rehab 3x a week" but then said he "has not done anything to rehabilitate himself for 6 months." How long ago did he have the MI?

I'd say he needs to have an honest talk with his doctor, tell him how he's not feeling better yet, his stamina is not good. Doctors have seen this before and perhaps can talk to him about good food choices, the importance of staying active and the emotional impact this has on him. Many heart patients are secretly nervous about getting active again in case they have another heart attack. So they sit. My Dad did that.

[MysteryChemist]

I agree with ireneo. He needs to talk to his Dr.  The extra 25 lbs may be causing his breathing problems but it could be something else. Did he get a stent or did he have bypass?

I had my heart attack a little over 2 year ago when I was 53.  My cardiologist said my MI was large.  My EF was 40%.  A year later it was 45%.  There are others who have posted and have significant improvements in their EF, even getting back into the normal range.  It is possible to improve it, but he has to exercise. I go to rehab 3 times a week and I go to a local gym 4 days a week where I walk 5 miles at a 7% incline each visit. I feel pretty good now.

It does take time to heal after a heart attack. But, your husband needs to exercise more.  In rehab, they told us to exercise (walking) 5 times a week for at least 30 minutes.

I really think he needs to talk to his Drs about his breathing and has is going in his life.. Make sure he takes his medicines as well.  

I suffer from depression as well as after my heart attack.  It didn't last long as I told my PCP about it and she put me on Zoloft.  Depression can have many symptons( problems sleeping, lack of interest, etc.) so you may want to talk to your Dr about it.

Good luck!