After a heart attack, is climbing stairs something that can be done or should be avoided.?

Question:

My mother in law is in hospital now but lives in a 1st floor apartment without a lift. Will this be a major problem, now and in the future ?

Answers:
Yes, I agree with the general consensus that her cardiologist needs to answer this. BUT there are some fairly common sense things to think about and talk to her cardiologist about.

Is she going to do any rehab or cardiac rehab prior to discharge?

If you mother-in-law is rather frail, do you see in the near or far future that her living situation is appropiate? Will she need a ground floor apartment as time goes on? Will she need more assistance with activities of daily living? Does she live by herself? Is it safe for her to live by herself?

For me, i think these are also important questions to ask yourself, your spouse, and your mother in law.

Other Answers:
No exercise is bad for the heart I guess it all depends on how many steps there are and how physically fit she is, it may be too much or not you would have to speak to the doctor to find out how the attack has affected her

I'm a little surprised you're asking someone online about this! You should really ask the doctor who helped her through the attack about it.I really don't think this is a question that the general population is qualified to answer! Hope your Mom gets better!

I believe light exercise is to be recommended but she would really need to take the advice of her cardiologist to be sure - obviously depends on seriousness of attack and her general health and fitness.

i agree with madamspud. speak to your doctor in regards to how strenious an excersise she may undertake exactly.

after heart attack the muscles remain weaker for a while. gradual excersice helps strengthen but over doing it may just bring on another attack.

if its only first floor i cant see it being too much unless she makes her way up and down them more than needed.

again speak to your doctor and voice any concerns they obviously can tell you more than i could

All that will depend. It's really up to her cardiologist, he can make that decision. But he'll probably also say for her to start excersing too..but it should be started very slowly. The doctor will know for sure.best of luck

Firstly, exercise is NOT bad for the heart it is the exact opposite. If your mother in law has had a heart attack (Myocardial Infarction, MI) diagnosed professionally she should have been referred to a Cardiac Rehabilitation Nurse Specialist who will advise on exercise, diet etc. All patients post MI must be mobilising before discharge from hospital, gentle exercise should be starte, gradually building up resistance. Walking is the best form of cardiovascular exercise. Walking up and down stairs is fine provding your mother in law is fit for it. Take it slowly and build resistance. Remember exercise is good. Seek advice from her consultant and take it from there.
Source(s):
Registered Nurse, deal with this on a daily basis as am Coronary Care Nurse.

You should ask your mother-in-laws doctor. Each doctor has his or her own opinion on this one. The doctor may decide by your mother-in-laws overall health. It all depends. Make sure you ask all the questions you can think of to her doctor before she gets out of the hospital. That way, you and your mother-in-law are prepared to deal with whatever comes her way after she leaves the hospital. It is always good to know things before someone leaves the hospital to return to their home.

Good luck and I hope I was some what helpful!

Sorry, but this question should not be left to
want-a- be-doctors.
This should only be asked to her cardiologist. He/she is the only one who knows how much damage has been done and how much she can do and in what time span. Make a list of every question you can think of and set down with him/her and ask away. The doctor will make time for you and if not then get another one that will. Remember.the only stupid question is the one not asked. Wishing your mother-in-law a healthy & speedy recovery.
johnshirl

Your mother-in-law's doctor will advise her regarding exercise limitations for when she goes home. It is a gradual process of reconditioning. She should be able to climb stairs at some point, if not at first. Her cardiologist may recommend Cardiac Rehabilitation. My husband went to rehab (outpatient) for 3 months after his last bypass surgery and had a much quicker recovery. Rehab would provide trained assistance in reconditioning, building strength and endurance. Depending on how much heart muscle was damaged during her heart attack she could feel a great deal better. I'd recommend rehab! God bless!

It depends how large of a heart attack it was. This is a question for her own physician and for the cardiac rehab therapist who is working with her in the hospital. I work in the United States, but we usually provide the patient with a specific list of do's and don'ts on discharge from the hospital and a booklet to serve as a guide. And then the patient is enrolled in outpatient cardiac rehabilitation to continue to increase activity in a supervised setting. Ask the doctor.
Source(s):
I'm a cardiologist.

i think she should be o.k. my dad had a heart attack and they the dr's. told him that he should climb stairs.but at his own pace.if your not sure ask her dr.good luck

kathy

Of course it should be avoided, because her heart now is too weak to have this much of excercise. Imagen a weak muscle try to carry a heavy rock. Still, 1st floor is okay if she is homey. Also, it depends on the medecine she recieves, because some allow her to do so, and others don't. It will be better to seek her doctor advice, because he had a direct contact with her. I wish her best luck, and speedy recovery !
Source(s):
Studying Pharmacology I in my college

You have not stated whether any surgical procedure (angioplasty) has been done after heart attack. Even if some surgical operation or medical treatment has been done, their life is made more comfortable. However some restrictions on activity must often be continued.
Source(s):
The New Understanding Surgery-The Complete Surgical Guide by Robert E.Rothenberg.

LISTEN TO YOUR DOCTOR AND YOUR BODY. both will tell you how much you can do after a heart attack. lots of the answers depend on how bad the heart attack was and if you had to have surgery or angioplasty afterwords. you will probably go through cardiac rehab and the people there are also a good source of information.
Source(s):
been thru the same issues with my husband few years ago and he now is only one step from getting his black belt. and we listened to what the doctors said every step of the way.

If you don't have a plan B then she has to get into her place. One step at the time is what she will have to do and take breaks in between. My grandmother had a pacemaker and we took it slow until she got better. we took short walks daily. I wish I knew about biochemistry and glycobiology then. she would be alive today and 92 years old. Take care and read the information on my page. She will live a much better quality of life when you give her the proper nutrition. I am currently working with a nurse that had to heart attacks and is doing great after two weeks of taking the optimal health system.

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After a heart attack, is climbing stairs something that can be done or should be avoided.?

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