Lifestyle Changes

Any major trauma will impose certain changes with respect to lifestyle. These changes do not have to be seen as negative. They may, in fact, improve the quality of your lifestyle.

There is not set formula for a "good" lifestyle; therefore, each person will incorporate their own unique desires, priorities and peculiarities within the structure of it.

Patients who have had a heart attack will have to make modifications of some habits and eliminate others. The guideline for these adjustments are your high risk factors that you are able to control; ie: smoking, drinking, stress, nutrition, and lack of exercise. Remember that stress includes overload and time urgency. Lack of exercise implies a regular routine, not working on the farm or running up and down a few steps at work.

Before leaving the hospital, a patient and his family members should be looking at their priorities and what is important to them. As you begin to have a better understanding of your high risk factors, certain changes will be necessary. You can begin to adjust even before leaving the hospital; ie: changing your high cholesterol diet.

Information and professional help is available to those who may experience difficulty in making the changes or even seeing clearly what needs to be changed.

A positive outlook and flexibility in your attitude will be beneficial to assist you in the change. Be patient and do not be hard on yourself if you make mistakes along the way. You are only human!
 
When you leave the setting of the hospital, the control will be completely yours and lifestyle changes will be your responsibility. Maintain the changes even after you feel you have recovered. By sticking to the changes in your lifestyle you will have a better chance of resuming a normal lifestyle, by being directly involved in your recovery.

Disclaimer
Reviewed by Alberta clinical experts. Brought to you by HealthLink Alberta. Copyright.
This material is designed for information purposes only. It should not be used in place of medical advice, instruction and/or treatment. For more health advice call Capital Health Link at 780-408-LINK (5465) 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In Alberta, call Toll-free: 1-866-408-LINK (5465)