Recover from a heart attack



  • nurses
  • physiotherapists
  • dietitians
  • pharmacists
  • exercise specialists


The recovery process usually takes place in stages, starting in hospital, where your condition can be closely monitored and your individual needs for the future can be assessed. After being discharged, you can continue your recovery at home.

The two most important aims of the recovery process are:

  • to reduce your risk ofanother heart attack

Cardiac rehabilitation



  • the type of treatment you received
  • what medications you'll need when you leave hospital
  • what lifestyle changes you can make to address those risk factors

They can also answer any questions you have about finance, welfare rights, housing and social care.


Once you return home, it's usually recommended that yourest and only do light activities, such as walking up and down the stairs a few times a day or taking a short walk.

Gradually increase the amount of activityyou do each day over several weeks. How quickly you can do this will depend on the condition of your heart and your general health. Your care team can provide more detailed advice about a recommended plan to increase your activity levels.

Your rehabilitation programme should contain a range of different exercises, depending on your age and ability.Most of the exercises will beaerobic. Aerobic exercises are designed to strengthen the heart, improve circulation and lower blood pressure. Examples of aerobic exercises include riding an exercise bike, jogging on a treadmill and swimming.

Returning to work

Most people can return to work after having a heart attack, but how quickly will depend on your health, the state of your heart and the kind of work you do. If your job involves light duties for example, if you work in an office you may be able to return to work in as little as two weeks.

However, if your job involves heavy manual work or your heart was extensively damaged, it may be several months before you can return to work.

Your care team willprovide a more detailed prediction of how long it will take for youto return to work.


According to the British Heart Foundation , you're usually able to start having sex again once you feel well enough, usuallyabout four to sixweeks after having a heart attack. Having sex won't put you at further risk of having another heart attack.

Following a heart attack, about one in three men have Impotence , which may make having sex difficult.

This is most commonly due to anxiety and the emotional stress associated with having a heart attack. Less commonly, erectile dysfunction is caused by a side effect of beta-blockers .

If you experience erectile dysfunction, speak to your GP. They may be able to recommend treatment. For example, you may be prescribed medication that stimulates the flow of blood to your penis, which makes it easier to get an erection.




Many people can now return to drivingone week after a heart attack, as long you don't have any other condition or complication that would disqualify you from driving.

However, in more severe cases you may need to stop driving forfour weeks. Your doctor or rehabilitation team should advise how long you mustwait beforedriving after your heart attack.





Having a heart attack can be frightening and traumatic, and it's common to have feelings of anxiety afterwards. For many people, the emotional stresses can cause them to feel depressed and tearful for the first few weeks after returning home from hospital.

If feelings of depression persist, speak to your GP, because you may have a more serious form of depression.

It's important to seek advice, because serious types of depression often don't get better without treatment.


Reducing your risk

Reducing your risk of having another heart attack involves making lifestyle changes and taking a long-term course ofdifferent medications.


It's recommended that you eat two to four portions of oily fish a week. Oily fish contains a type of fatty acid known as omega-3, which can help lower your cholesterol levels.

Good sources of omega-3 include:

  • herring
  • sardines
  • mackerel
  • salmon
  • trout
  • tuna


It's also recommended that you eat a Mediterranean-style diet. This means eating more bread, fruit, vegetables and fish, and less meat. Replace butter and cheese with products based on vegetable and plant oil, such as olive oil.

The NHS Smokefree website can provide you with advice and support.

Your GP can also recommend and prescribe medication to help you give up.

Readmore about treatments for quitting smoking .


If you drink alcohol, don't exceed the recommended limits:




Avoid binge drinking (drinking lots of alcohol in a short space of time or drinking to get drunk). Binge drinking can cause a sudden and large rise in your blood pressure, which could be potentially dangerous.

Research has found that people who have had heart attacks and continue to binge drink are twice as likely to die of a serious health condition, such as another heart attack or stroke, compared to people who moderate their drinking after having a heart attack.



Regular physical activity

Once you've made a sufficient physical recovery from the effects of a heart attack (see cardiac rehabilitation, below, for more information about how long this usually takes), it's recommended that you do regular physical activity.





There are currently four types of medication widely used to reduce the risks of a heart attack:

  • angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors
  • anti-platelets
  • beta-blockers
  • statins

ACE inhibitors


ACE inhibitors have been known to reduce the supply of blood to the kidneys, which can reduce their efficiency. Therefore, blood and urine tests may be carried out before you start taking ACE inhibitors, to make sure there are no pre-existing problems with your kidneys.


The side effects of ACE inhibitors can include:

  • dizziness
  • tiredness or weakness
  • headaches
  • a persistent, dry cough



Check with your GP or pharmacist before taking anything in combination with ACE inhibitors.

It's usually recommended that you begin taking ACE inhibitors immediately after having a heart attack and, in most cases, continue taking them indefinitely. In some individuals who prove intolerant of ACE inhibitors, a related alternative medication an angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) may be prescribed.



It's usually recommended that you take low-dose aspirin , which has blood-thinning properties, as well as being a painkiller.

You are more likely to be given additional anti-platelet medication, such as clopidogrel , prasugrel or ticagrelor, especially if you've had stent treatment. These can also be used if you're allergic to aspirin.

Side effects can include:

  • diarrhoea
  • bruising or bleeding
  • breathlessness
  • abdominal pain
  • indigestion
  • heartburn


It's usually recommended that you take aspirin indefinitely. If you experience troublesome side effects due to aspirin, you should contact your GP for advice. Don't suddenly stop taking the aspirin, as this could increase your risk of another heart attack.

You may occasionally also be put on another blood-thinning medication, called warfarin . This usually only happens if you have remained in an irregular heart rhythm (atrial fibrillation) or have sustained severe damage to your heart.


  • passing blood in your urine or faeces (stools or "poo")
  • passing black faeces
  • severe bruising
  • prolonged nosebleeds (that last longer than 10 minutes)
  • blood in your vomit
  • coughing up blood
  • unusual headaches

Immediate medical attention must also be sought if you:

  • are involved in major trauma (an accident)
  • experience a significant blow to the head
  • are unable to stop any bleeding


Beta-blockers are a type of medication used to protect the heart from further damage after a heart attack. They help to relax the heart's muscles so the heart beats slower and the blood pressuredrops, both of which will reduce the strain on your heart.

It's usually recommended that you begin treatment with beta-blockers as soon as your condition stabilises, and continue taking them indefinitely.

Fairly common side effects of beta-blockers include:

  • tiredness
  • cold hands and feet
  • slow heartbeat
  • diarrhoea
  • feeling sick

Less common side effects include:

  • sleep disturbances
  • nightmares
  • inability to obtain or maintain an erection ( erectile dysfunction or "impotence")






Statins sometimes have mild side effects, including:

  • constipation
  • diarrhoea
  • headaches
  • abdominal pain

Occasionally, statins can cause muscle pain, weakness and tenderness. Contact your GP if you experience these symptoms, as your dosage may need to be adjusted.

It's usually recommended that you take statins indefinitely.

Getting help




The helpline can be reached on 0300 330 3311 and is open from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.

Content supplied by the NHS Website

Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 16 Nov 2016