From Worst To Best
What to do after a heart attack
One of the most gratifying moments for Lisa Dyke, MD, of Cardiology Associates of Savannah, is seeing how dramatically a heart attack patient changes when she opens their clogged blood vessels in the cardiac catheterization lab.
“Many of these patients feel instantaneous relief, you can see it on their face,” Dr. Dyke says. “They are a completely different person. It’s so satisfying to see them walk out of the hospital a couple of days later.”
Having helped them through their worst moment, Dr. Dyke’s next goal is getting patients to reach their best. Typically that will mean some lifestyle changes, including:
- Heart-healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables
- Regular exercise
- Good sleep
- Taking medications as prescribed
- Quitting smoking
“For some patients, a heart attack is that ‘a-ha’ moment,” Dr. Dyke says. “They want to change their life. Other patients can be a little more hard-headed.”
Dr. Dyke makes sure her patients know that she is on their side, rooting for them.
“I treat my patients like I would want my own family to be treated,” she says. “So I do my best to relate to them and talk through things. Often we will set smaller goals. If someone who smokes two packs a day isn’t ready to quit, I’ll say within a month, let’s get that down to one pack. Then a month after that, down to half a pack.”
This approach also works for patients who may be suffering from everyday symptoms such as shortness of breath.
“If a patient can’t keep up with their grandkids, can’t mow the lawn, things like that—they don’t feel like a person,” Dr. Dyke says. “I will work with them to improve and remind them, ‘You can do this. You’re the driver of your future.’”
Learn more from Dr. Dyke on our Living Smart blog here.