After surviving a heart attack, your focus is on your physical health and avoiding another heart attack. This means adhering to a heart-healthy diet, exercising regularly, and quitting any unhealthy habits like smoking.
As you continue on the road to healing, it’s important to check in with your mental health, too. Sometimes, our physical health can impact our mood.
Answer six simple questions to get an assessment of how you’re managing the emotional side of heart attack recovery, along with resources to support your mental wellness.
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Do you have any concerns about your emotional or mental well-being? If yes, how long have you been concerned about this issue?
On a scale of 1 to 10, rate your overall mental well-being right now. On the scale, think of 1 as “very negative or distressed” and think of 10 as “very positive or content.”
Since coming home from the hospital, have you started thinking back to the day when you had your heart attack? Do you find yourself feeling like any new ache or pain could be signaling a new heart attack?
Have your feelings or your overall mental state caused any distress or impairment for you in the following areas?
Your mental state can impact many areas of your life, even if you don’t realize it right away. Consider if you’ve noticed any changes in your daily life. Have your sleep habits changed? Are your energy levels different? Do you have a lot more or a lot less interest in activities that you used to enjoy? Have you noticed any changes in your thoughts about yourself?
Have you recently noticed any changes in taking your medications the way you’re supposed to? Are you taking up any old habits such as smoking, alcohol consumption, or poor eating?
The above is provided for educational purposes only and is not to be used for, or in place of, personal health or medical advice and/or diagnosis from a medical professional. See more. In an emergency, call 911. We may use the information you provide as described in our Privacy Policy.
