Someone in the U.S. has a heart attack approximately every 40 seconds. Fortunately, a mild heart attack — technically, a non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) — is the most common. It accounts for about 60% to 70% of all heart attacks.
Here’s what happens during a mild heart attack: Blood flow through one of the coronary arteries is partially blocked. This limits the supply of oxygenated blood to the heart. The heart can keep pumping, though, so there’s usually minimal damage.
But don’t be misled by the term “mild.”
They might seem less alarming, but mild heart attacks can pose serious health risks and require immediate medical attention. Neither you nor your loved one can determine which type of heart attack they had. That requires medical expertise.
Symptoms and Signs of a Mild Heart Attack
A mild heart attack can look a lot like a major one. The symptoms include:
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Chest Pain: Often described as tightness or pressure, it may last a few minutes, or it may come and go intermittently.
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Shortness of Breath: This can occur with or without chest pain and may intensify with activity.
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Jaw, Neck or Arm Pain: Pain can radiate to these areas, making it easy to mistake a heart attack for other conditions.
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Fatigue, Lightheadedness and Dizziness: These issues are often present during a mild heart attack.
Women are more likely than men to experience symptoms unrelated to chest pain. These include shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, fatigue and sweating plus insomnia that started before the heart attack. Women are more likely to experience pain in the back, shoulders, neck and arms.
The severity and duration of these symptoms can vary by person. There's no universal set of symptoms.
It's crucial to seek medical attention immediately. Medical providers need to perform in-depth testing to diagnose and determine the best treatment plan. Your loved one may need to stay in the hospital overnight for observation.
Neither you nor the doctor can predict the outcome of a heart attack by the symptoms or their severity. That’s why you should never ignore heart attack symptoms.
Long-Term Effects and Complications of a Mild Heart Attack
Mild heart attacks affect a small portion of the heart and typically don’t cause significant permanent damage. However, they can lead to life-threatening problems and chronic conditions that can affect the remainder of your life, including:
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Increased Risk of Future Heart Attacks: Damage to the heart muscle can make future events more likely.
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Heart Failure: Weakened heart muscles may struggle to pump blood effectively.
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Arrhythmias: Irregular heartbeats can develop, requiring ongoing management.
- Cognitive Impairment: Reduced blood flow to the brain during a heart attack can affect cognitive function.
Recovery and Rehabilitation After a Mild Heart Attack
Recovery can take anywhere from two weeks to three months. It all depends on the severity of the heart attack, how quickly your loved one received treatment, the type of treatment they received, their other medical conditions and their overall health.
Recovery from a mild heart attack involves several stages:
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Initial Recovery: This may require a brief hospital stay. Once discharged, your loved one will need to follow specific guidelines for a full recovery, such as bed rest, dietary restrictions, starting new medications, etc.
- Long-Term Recovery: Engaging in cardiac rehabilitation programs is essential. These programs typically include:
- Exercise Training: Supervised physical activity tailored to individual needs.
- Education on Heart-Healthy Living: Information on diet, exercise and managing risk factors.
- Counseling: Support for emotional well-being and stress management.
- Medications: Prescriptions to manage symptoms and prevent further heart damage.
If you’re caring for a mother, grandmother, aunt or another female relative, you need to know they are far less likely to be referred for cardiac rehabilitation than men. Be sure to ask whether cardiac rehab is appropriate for your loved one.
Essential Lifestyle Changes to Prevent Future Heart Attacks
A mild heart attack is a warning you and your loved one should heed. Adopting a heart-healthy lifestyle can lower the risk of future heart events. One of the biggest is smoking cessation, but there are several others, including:
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A Healthy Diet: Eating fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins while reducing salt, sugar and unhealthy fats is crucial. With many heart-healthy eating plans available, you’ll want to talk with your loved one and their doctor about which one is the best fit. Consider trying this heart-healthy recipe.
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Regular Exercise: Start gradually based on what the care team recommends. If your loved one is in cardiac rehab, they’ll probably have a personalized plan.
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Avoiding Overexertion: Exercise is good, but don’t let your loved one overdo it.
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Stress Management: Techniques such as meditation, yoga and deep-breathing exercises can help reduce stress levels. Activities like tai chi can add an element of exercise as well, if approved by your doctor.
The Emotional Impact of a Mild Heart Attack
A heart attack — even a mild one — can be a traumatic experience. It can leave your loved one feeling anxious, depressed and overwhelmed. Among the factors fueling anxiety and depression are a fear of recurrence, feelings of guilt about previous unhealthy habits and being embarrassed and doubtful about diminished physical capabilities.
More than mental well-being is at stake: Heart attack patients with depression tend to have decreased motivation to follow healthy daily routines. They may skip medications, avoid exercise and resume unhealthy habits such as drinking and smoking.
Research also suggests that the combination of depression and a damaged heart can make people more susceptible to potentially fatal heart rhythm abnormalities.
Support for Your Loved One During Mild Heart Attack Recovery
Knowing what you can do to help with your loved one’s recovery after a mild heart attack can be a challenge. A few ideas to get started are:
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Help With Meal Planning and Prep: This is especially true if you can eat the same meals together.
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Be an Exercise Partner: It may be less rigorous than your regular workout, but exercising with your loved one will help motivate them. And if you don’t have an exercise routine, this is an excellent time to start.
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Pitch In: Sometimes, your loved one will resist slowing down, but you can help. Make life easier at home by helping them with tasks such as errands, laundry and lawn care. Depending on their recovery regimen, they may need someone with them most of the day.
A robust support system, emotional support and encouragement are vital for your loved one’s mental recovery. Enlist family and friends to provide additional support and help with tasks. This can also ensure you have the emotional reserves to support your loved one.
You and your supportive team of friends and family can work together to encourage your loved one to:
- Get up and get dressed every day
- Get out of the house
- Return to their hobbies and social activities
In addition, ask your loved one’s health care professional about support groups for heart attack survivors. Look into counseling from professionals who specialize in working through cardiac care issues.
Start on the Journey to Heart Health
Understanding the symptoms and the importance of swift medical intervention can mitigate any harm when a mild heart attack happens. But that’s just the beginning. The real work begins afterward. Following medical advice and making critical lifestyle changes are essential. So is supporting your loved one’s emotional and mental health.
By prioritizing heart health, seeking timely medical intervention and supporting emotional well-being, you can help your loved one improve their quality of life and reduce the risk of future heart events.
Rely on BrightStar Care® for Help After a Heart Attack
The time right after a heart attack can be overwhelming as your loved one adjusts to a new lifestyle. BrightStar Care has skilled nurses and caregivers who specialize in heart attack recovery care. We can help with meal prepping, light housekeeping and helping with laundry and adult and senior transportation for doctor appointments and social events.
If you’re looking for in-home care services, our experienced local care team members are ready to help. Find a location near you, contact us online or call (866) 618-7827 to learn more about how BrightStar Care offers A Higher Standard®.