Caregivers

If a loved one has suffered a heart attack or stroke, it's perfectly normal to feel overwhelmed and stressed. ProHeart is dedicated to helping you take care of yourself while also caring for a loved one.

Taking Care of Yourself

When you're caring for a loved one, it's important to remember that you can't effectively take care of another person if you're neglecting your own well-being. Here are a few tips to help you balance your own needs with those of your loved one:

Recognize your limits, ask for help when you need it and offer specific suggestions for things others can do to help.
Give yourself time to adjust to the situation and be open and honest about your feelings.
Know the signs of depression and don't be afraid to get help if you experience the symptoms for two weeks or more.
Set aside regular time for yourself to do things you enjoy.

Knowing the Warning Signs

It's important to know the warning signs of a heart attack or ischemic stroke so you can help your loved one get immediate medical attention.

Warning Signs of a Heart Attack:

Pain or heavy pressure in chest
Pain in shoulders, neck or arms
Lightheadedness
Fainting
Paleness
Sweating
Nausea
Shortness of breath

Warning Signs of a Stroke:

Sudden weakness or numbness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
Sudden and severe headache with no known cause
Sudden confusion
Sudden trouble speaking or understanding others
Sudden difficulty seeing in one or both eyes
Sudden dizziness, loss of balance or trouble walking

Questions for the Doctor

If you're caring for a loved one who has suffered a heart attack or ischemic stroke, you'll probably have lots of questions for their health care providers. Here are a few common questions to help you start the conversation:

How serious was the heart attack or stroke?
What care will my loved one need?
What dietary restrictions should I know about?
When can my loved one resume their normal physical activities?
What complications should I watch out for?
How can I help my loved one adopt healthier habits?
What do I need to know about the medications they are taking?

Preparing for Doctor Visits

To make your loved one's doctor visits more productive, write down specific questions or concerns you have for the doctor so you don't forget. Our Caregivers Checklist has common questions you may want to ask the doctor and a space for you to add questions of your own.
Back to Top

Print Caregivers Checklist