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An online article from Everyday Health provides a nice of list common questions that patients have after experiencing a heart attack.  Following each question they also provide readers with answers.  It is important to note that we are not physicians.  Please consult your physician for medical advice on any restrictions you may have following heart problems and what you can come to expect in the coming days/weeks/months.

What kind of pain can you expect?  Some patients, but not all, experience some tightness in their chests following an attack.  This is known as angina.  It is important to consult your physician if your pain progresses.

When can I return to work?  Most patients are eventually able to return to work following an attack. Recovery time varies from patient to patient.  Some return within a couple of weeks.  Others need an extended recovery time.

When can I drive again?  Most patients can return to driving within a week.  However, some states have restrictions.  Check with your doctor or your state department of motor vehicles for your state’s current regulations.

What about sex?  You can usually return to your usual pattern of sex once you are able to walk around easily.

What about exercise?  Most heart patients need more exercise following an attack than they did prior to suffering their attack.  Heart rehabilitation programs are great ways to increase your exercise while being closely monitored by professionals.

What kind of rest is needed?  A full night’s rest is essential.  Naps are also considered a good idea.  Rest before getting too tired.

What about another attack?  Make sure you are fully aware of all of the symptoms of a heart attack and seek medical attention as soon as you suspect something is out of the ordinary. 

Everyday Health reports, “The signs and symptoms include chest pain, shortness of breath, indigestion, nausea, and pain in the back, neck, or jaw. Someone in your family might want to take a CPR course — not only to be prepared but also to learn more about how to recognize a heart attack if it happens.”

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Women, myself included, frequently make the mistake of assuming that heart failure is not one of our greatest health risks.

According to Real Age, “the threat is very real, especially in the years leading up to and following monopause when hormonal changes can open the door to heart disease.  Knowing the symptoms that women often experience during the early and late stages of cardiac troubles, and knowing your risk factors for cardiovascular disease, can significantly increase your chances of survival.”

The online article explains that many women who have suffered heart attacks also experienced early warning signs (days, weeks, months ahead of time) prior to their heart attack.

The signs can be subtle but are very real. Of the women surveyed who had a heart attack:

• 75% experienced unusual fatigue prior to the attack
• 48% experienced sleep disturbances prior to the attack
• 42% experienced shortness of breath
• 39% had indigestion
• 35% had anxiety
• 30% had chest discomfort.

It is imperative that women monitor their aches and pains, reactions to foods and their reaction to activity so that they are better prepared to recognize when they are experiencing abnorbal reactions to every day stressors.