Nursing Care for Individuals with Heart Attack

Whether a Heart Attack patient is recuperating at the hospital or in a home environment, there are several assessments, interventions, and educational measures that are important to involve in improving and maintaining good health.

        1. One important aspect of nursing care will be to manage pain related to the heart attack experienced. Because of the heart attack there may have been a cut off of oxygen to other organs.

It will be important to monitor and document (Myocardial Infarction: Heart Attack):

• Verbal reports of pain
•  Nonverbal cues: moaning, crying, grimacing, restlessness, clutching chest
• Changes in blood pressure (pain and stress may increase blood pressure)
•  Increase heart rate (can be caused by pain and stress) 
•   Respiration may increase due to pain and anxiety  

The patient should be encouraged to report pain immediately and be educated on certain relaxation techniques and exercises, as well as deep breathing exercises for distraction and to promote a soothing environment (Myocardial Infarction: Heart Attack, 2015).

      

  2. Another important aspect of nursing care is to administer medications as ordered by the healthcare professional. This is really important because the medications the patient is taking is helping their heart to not overwork itself. Medications will help regulate blood pressure, heart rate, and pain. Taking medications will help keep the heart happy(How is a heart attack treated, 2013).

 3. It is also important to encourage a gradual increase in activity. It is important to encourage to rest at first, and then limit the amount of exercise and activity based on pain and bad heart responses (Myocardial Infarction: Heart Attack, 2015).  

It will be important to monitor and document (Myocardial Infarction: Heart Attack, 2015):

• Heart rate and rhythm before, during, and after activity and exercise
• Blood pressure before, during, and after activity and exercise

The patient should be taught and encouraged to (Myocardial Infarction: Heart Attack, 2015):

• Avoid straining themselves while going “number 2”
•  Review signs and symptoms of overworking themselves (chest pain, shortness of breath)

How is a heart attack treated? – national Heart, lung, and Blood Institute. (2013, December). Retrieved February 2/14/15. From http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/heartattack/treatment

Myocardial Infarction: Heart Attack – nurseslabs. (2015). Retrieved February 2/18/15. From http://nurseslabs.com/7-myocardial-infarction-heart-attack-nursing-care-plans/