Myocardial infarction is commonly known as a heart attack. It is a serious health condition and can cause death if not taken seriously. This medical condition occurs when there is significant reduction of blood flow into the heart. Normally, the reduction of blood flow is caused by blockage of the arteries leading to the heart. The blockage is caused by the buildup of bad cholesterol in the arteries. Arteries blockage can rapture some heart muscles.
A massage therapist should perfectly master the signs of this medical condition. It helps determine if a client is safe to undergo a massage or if medical assistance should be requested. These signs are visible before someone gets a heart attack. Some of the known signs of myocardial infarction include:
- A severe chest pain that a person feels like pressure.
- Sudden dizziness that doesn’t appear to go away.
- Difficulty in breathing.
- Nausea which might result in vomiting.
- Pulse rate appears to be slower than normal.
- Profusely sweating is a common sign of myocardial infarction.
- The face might start turning pale.
- Heartburn that doesn’t go away.
- Pain that spreads to different parts of the body.
The main causes of Myocardial Infarction
The below factors increase the chances of suffering from a heart attack:
- Consuming meals with high bad cholesterol. This cholesterol piles up and blocks the arteries that deliver blood to the heart.
- High blood pressure has for long been known to increase the chances of getting myocardial infarction.
- Obesity can cause a heart attack.
- Smoking cigarettes increases the chances of someone suffering from myocardial infarction.
Can patients who have had heart attacks get a massage?
This is one of the commonly asked questions by people who once had myocardial infarction. Anyone recovering from a heart attack is delicate and should not undergo any physical stress until they are fully recovered. There are some factors that help determine if some recovering from myocardial infarction can undergo the massage or not. Some of these factors include:
- The type of massage that will be performed matters. Some massages entail massaging deep muscles in the body, which might be unfavorable for someone recovering from a heart attack.
- The severities of myocardial infarction determine how long someone should wait before getting a massage. Individuals who have undergone severe cases are not encouraged to get any form of massage for a while.
- Medical approval from a doctor also plays a crucial role in determining if someone is physically fit to undergo a massage.
- The current health condition of a person will determine if massage is essential for them or not. Some people recovering from a heart attack might display unstable blood pressure.
The benefits of massage after recovering from Myocardial Infarction
Massage is recommended for various reasons, especially for individuals who have fully recovered from a heart attack. Some of the renowned benefits of massage include:
- Reduction of stress. Stress can contribute to heart attack by increasing blood pressure. Blood pressure increases the chances of someone suffering from a cardiovascular condition. Massage reduces the stress hormones; bring into place a relaxing effect.
- Improved blood flow in the body. Massage is known to increase blood flow in the body, increasing the rate in which the blood distributes nutrients and oxygen to the different parts of the body.
- Massage can dilate vessels on the body, bringing a relaxing effect. The dilation of the blood vessels can help lower high blood pressure levels if someone who had a myocardial infarction still struggles with blood pressure levels.
- Pain management might be required especially if you have undergone a heart attack. The strain in some parts of the body might cause some pain. Massage can reach the strained muscles and help relieve some pain.
- Sleep is vital for the heart’s health. Lack of enough sleep can trigger conditions that can lead to a heart attack. Massage sessions make people relax their bodies, making it easier for them to relax.
- Massage helps improve someone’s mental wellness. Mental illnesses like depression have for long been linked with heart attack. People who recover from myocardial infarction should always take care of their mental state.
The best massage techniques that are beneficial for the heart
There are some massage techniques renowned to improve the heart’s wellness. Anyone including those who are recovering from heart attack should consider these massage techniques. They include:
- The Swedish massage- This massage technique is known for two things. First, it helps reduce tension in the body. Secondly, it helps the body muscles relax. These two factors can help lower the blood pressure levels in the body. This helps stop overworking the heart while promoting an individual’s overall wellbeing.
- Deep tissue massage- As the name suggests, this popular massage technique targets deep muscles in the body. They offer tightness relief and also soreness. This helps deal with blood circulation issues and increases the rate nutrients are transported to different essential organs including the heart.
- Trigger point massage- This massage technique targets specific points in the body and offers relief. Through this, there will be a uniform supply of blood throughout the body, helping get rid of tension which might trigger high blood pressure.
- Sports massage- It is among the massages that is specifically crafted for individuals who regularly workout. It reduces tension in muscles and helps with blood flow.
As seen above, massage can help prevent myocardial infarction in different ways. This is why people should consider massage now and then. Living a healthy life also lowers the chances of suffering from a heart attack. Therefore, eating a balanced diet should be a priority at all times. At the same time, minimize the consumption of meals with high cholesterol levels. Regular workout is also another way of staying healthy. Look for workout activities you can comfortably perform from your comfort zone and improve your heart’s health while preventing myocardial infarction. Contract us for massage therapists.
