Only half of heart attack survivors can return to a normal life
Last month, the Heart Foundation released surprising new facts about heart attack survivors and their rehabilitation in the weeks and months following their cardiac incident. It was found that one in two heart attack survivors were unable to return to the same level of work or physical activity as before.
Researchers surveyed 351 heart attack survivors and discovered that one in five couldn’t even perform simple tasks like showering and bathing. Chief Medical Advisor of the Heart Foundation Garry Jennings believes the new data highlights the crippling emotional and physical effect that heart attacks have on survivors and their families, even as their condition improves.
It was discovered that one in four could not work at the same level as before, and another one in four could not return to work at all. About 45 per cent said they could no longer look after their children or grandchildren and nearly 50 per cent were unable to tend to their garden as they could before.
“There’s this perception that people have a heart attack and then three days later they leave hospital ‘cured’,” Jennings said in a statement. “However this is far from the truth. All these people now live with a life-long condition of heart disease and for many it will impact their quality of life.”
It is hoped that these new statistics will encourage survivors to pursue cardiac rehabilitation programs. According to Jennings, of the 55,000 heart attack victims in Australia, only 13,000 engage these rehab services. “Without relevant lifestyle adjustments heart attack survivors might have another heart attack or they might find themselves with long term damage to the heart such as heart failure or atrial fibrillation.”
Those who attend cardiac rehabilitation have been found to be 40 per cent less likely to return to hospital and 25 per cent less likely to experience a fatal heart attack.
Are you a heart attack survivor? We’d love to hear your tips on getting back to living life to the fullest. Tell us in the comments below.
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