Recovery After a Heart Attack: Cardiac Rehab and Next Steps

Surviving a heart attack is the first step. Recovery is the next, and it often feels slow. Everyone's path is different, and it helps to take it step by step with your care team. The NHS says how long it takes varies: for some people it is several weeks with little long-term effect, while for others it can take months or years. This article explains what care and support may involve.

The first days and cardiac rehabilitation

In hospital

Treatment starts in hospital and may include medicines, angioplasty with a stent, or bypass surgery. After that, the NHS says you will usually need rest and may need time off work. Your care team will tell you when it is safe to return to everyday activities. Most people can go back to normal activities once they have recovered. Ask your team before starting new exercise, driving again or going back to work, because advice depends on how much your heart was affected and on what treatment you had.

What is cardiac rehabilitation?

Cardiac rehabilitation is a supervised programme to help you recover. The CDC describes it as including physical activity, education on healthy living, help with taking medicines as prescribed, support to stop smoking, and counselling for stress and mental health. The NHS says people are usually referred for it after a heart attack and that it can be done in person or remotely.

Long-term medicines

The NHS says long-term medicines usually include antiplatelets, statins, ACE inhibitors and beta-blockers to reduce the risk of another heart attack. Which medicines you take, and for how long, is your doctor's decision. The CDC advises not to stop medicines without talking to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Healthy changes and your wellbeing

Healthy changes your care team may discuss

The CDC says survivors have a higher risk of another heart attack, a stroke, kidney problems or peripheral arterial disease. Steps that can lower the risk include:

• Eating a healthier diet
• Becoming more active, at a level your care team advises
• Quitting smoking
• Managing stress
• Taking prescribed medicines

The CDC also suggests asking your care team about daily activities, work, travel and sexual activity, because some may need to be limited for a time.

Feelings after a heart attack

It is common to feel worried or low. The NHS advises talking to your doctor if you feel anxious or low after a heart attack. Cardiac rehabilitation also includes support for stress and mental health. If you feel very low or have thoughts of harming yourself, tell a health professional or a trusted person straight away, and ask your doctor about help lines available where you live.

Lowering the chance of another heart attack

Heart attacks cannot always be prevented, but the NHS says you can lower your risk by:

• Stopping smoking
• Keeping blood pressure and cholesterol at healthy levels
• Eating a balanced diet with less salt and saturated fat
• Keeping to a healthy weight
• Exercising regularly
• Cutting down on alcohol

When to see a doctor

Keep your follow-up appointments and ask your care team if you are unsure about activity, medicines or symptoms. Get urgent medical advice if your symptoms return or get worse. Call emergency services at once for chest pain that is tight or squeezing, pain spreading to the arms, neck or jaw, severe breathing difficulty, pale, blue or grey skin, or if someone collapses and is not responding normally. The NHS says not to drive yourself to hospital.

In an emergency, call your local emergency number (112 in India, 911 in the United States).