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Your Family And Friends
How the family is affected by a heart attack
Your family and close friends will be scared and worried by what has happened to you. This means they will want to protect and help you in any way they can.
Often people cope with their fears by becoming overprotective of their loved one. However, this can make you feel that you are an invalid – which is the opposite of how you should be thinking in order to make a good recovery back to fitness.
It can also be frustrating and irritating for you if people are running around after you. This can make you feel guilty about creating extra work.
Share the facts and talk openly about what happened. This reduces tension and allows fears and anxiety to be dealt with. It is important that everyone is aware that a gradual paced return to normal activities has to happen over a period of time. It is not a case of sitting still until time passes.
It can be very helpful to sit down with your friends and family and explain what you can and cannot do and agree that you will ask for help if you need it.
On a positive note it is much easier if all family members work together to make the necessary lifestyle changes to reduce the risks of heart disease. This increases the chances of creating long lasting, healthy changes to how you lead your lives.
Your family can also join in with your exercise programme. This can often help to motivate you to keep stick with the programme.
It is also important to talk, listen and laugh with family and friends. You can resume a social life from home by inviting friends to visit. Alternatively, visits to friends can incorporate some exercise and fresh air.
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Guilt
Family members often feel guilty about a loved one's heart attack and blame themselves for what happened. Teenagers often feel they are responsible.
If things were not going well between a couple prior to the heart attack the partner can often feel guilty. Relationship problems before the heart attack will still be there afterwards, and this can put added stress on the relationship.
Family members often ask themselves if they could have done something to prevent the heart attack. It is important to understand that although a heart attack happens suddenly, it is not caused suddenly. What causes it usually takes years to develop.
A heart attack can put pressure on relationships. If this happens try to communicate with each other and seek help if necessary. Above all, don't feel guilty.
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Information for carers
The Where To Get Help section has more detailed information which can help make day to day living easier.
Organisations such as Carers Scotland are also useful sources of information and support.
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