My daily life after experiencing a myocardial infarction

Myocardial infarction is a condition caused by sudden blockage of the heart blood vessels due to blood clots or sudden events such as a heart attack, leading to damage to the heart muscle. After treatment, it is not easy to return to normal life, and a managed lifestyle must be adopted.

The heart functions by receiving oxygen and nutrients through three major coronary arteries. If any one of these coronary arteries in this world develops a thrombus or suddenly becomes blocked due to a blood clot or other obstruction, resulting in a sudden blockage, the overall or part of the heart's oxygen and nutrient supply is drastically reduced, leading to the death of heart muscle tissue or cells. This condition is called a myocardial infarction.

Most people suddenly complain of chest pain, but in your case, it felt like a squeezing and sharp sensation in the chest, without symptoms of nausea or vomiting, and it was more severe than indigestion or heartburn. Fortunately, although the chest pain was severe, it did not lead to sudden fainting or require an emergency room visit by ambulance. You were admitted on Saturday and had to wait until Monday. Various tests were performed, including blood tests and an electrocardiogram. You underwent a procedure using two centers and stayed hospitalized for about two weeks. Before discharge, you received exercise prescriptions and dietary advice. Since discharge, my lifestyle has changed significantly. I will talk about my lifestyle. Preventing ischemic heart diseases, including myocardial infarction, feels like managing risk factors. This can include dietary, exercise, and lifestyle therapies. Following a vegetarian diet with low salt intake is an important aspect of the diet. For exercise therapy, a 3-minute warm-up before exercise is essential, and the principle is to exercise at least 30 minutes per session, at least three times a week. Lifestyle-wise, it is crucial to strictly control finances, maintain an ideal weight, and relieve psychological stress—these are the three key elements.

By thoroughly managing hypertension and diabetes that we discovered together, and strictly adhering to lifestyle modifications, such as quitting smoking, maintaining an appropriate weight through exercise and dietary control is most important. Additionally, if hyperlipidemia or high cholesterol levels are detected, visiting a doctor to determine whether treatment is necessary is advisable. For individuals like me who have already experienced a myocardial infarction and received treatment, managing lifestyle habits becomes even more crucial. The risk of experiencing heart problems again increases, and heart function is significantly reduced due to the previous infarction. Special attention should be paid to dietary therapy. Moreover, once the acute phase has passed and stabilization is achieved, it is recommended to engage in daily aerobic exercise for 30 to 40 minutes or more, enough to cause sweating, to maintain cardiovascular health consistently. Myocardial infarction is a disease that anyone can develop as they age. In a way, it is a disease that can occur as part of the aging process. This is what is commonly called sudden death. Since myocardial infarction can happen to anyone, the most intelligent approach is to prevent its occurrence by managing one's body from a young age.