When someone has a heart attack, their heart isn’t able to keep blood flowing. The heart itself might be damaged, which can create bigger problems. Recovering from a heart attack can take a while, and these might be some of the situations your elderly family member faces after even a mild heart attack.
Swelling in Her Legs
Edema, or swelling in the extremities, is very common for people who have had a heart attack. Your elderly family member might find that she’s not moving as much as she did before her heart attack, which can exacerbate swelling. Elevating her feet and legs can help a lot, as can some medications that her doctor might prescribe.
General Weakness and Exhaustion
It might surprise your senior to realize that she is extremely tired and might even feel weak after a heart attack. Her body has experienced a lot, even with a mild heart attack, so it stands to reason that it’s going to want to rest. Your senior should follow her doctor’s orders regarding rest and that should help her to make sure that she doesn’t overdo it.
Difficulty Breathing
The pulmonary system and the circulatory system work very closely together. So, when your elderly family member’s heart has been through a heart attack, her lungs might experience some difficulty, too. Her lungs rely on her heart to pump blood, containing oxygen, through them to exchange carbon dioxide for fresh oxygen. Being short of breath is very common while she’s healing.
Trouble Sleeping
It might also be tough for your senior to sleep well, even if she’s feeling extra tired. Pain can contribute to this, but there may be other issues, too. Stress and other factors are definitely something to consider. Talk to your senior’s doctor about options if she’s having trouble getting much sleep.
Emotional Difficulties
Having a heart attack is a scary situation and it can bring up a lot of issues for your elderly family member. She might become depressed about things she’s no longer able to do. She might also be anxious about the possibility of having another heart attack. These are all valid, but they need to be dealt with properly. Talk therapy can help.
As your senior recovers from a heart attack, it may be very helpful to have home care providers available. They can assist with all sorts of tasks and watch for signs of trouble, too.
If you or an aging loved one is considering hiring home care in Los Gatos, CA, please contact the caring staff at Home Helpers today (408) 317-4969.