Life After A Heart Attack

Does a person ever recover from a heart attack?

Yes, but the level of activities that they may resume depends on the degree of the heart attack. Daily life after a heart attack may look just as before the heart attack with no negative effects. A heart attack that caused more damage to the heart muscle tissue may result in a more limited list of activities for daily life. In any case, anyone suffering a heart attack needs to pay attention to their diet, exercise and other aspects of their post heart attack life to insure that they do not experience another heart attack. This may start by making sure any cigarette smokers use their heart attacks as a wake up call to quit smoking!

What sports can a person take part in after a heart attack?

This depends on the size of the heart attack. Work closely with your doctor, but exercise after a heart attack becomes an important part of recovery and resuming a normal life.

What sports should be avoided after a heart attack?

Scuba diving may need to be avoided because it causes a vagal reaction which causes a decrease in blood pressure.

Which heart disease patients should still scuba dive?
It depends on the severity of the heart attack. If the blocked artery has been corrected such as through bypass surgery or angioplasty and if the patient then has a normal stress test then diving is permitted in warm waters. However, in a person who has had extensive muscle death after a heart attack, then diving is not permitted due to the inability of the muscles to keep up with the pumping requirement needed. It is not recommended for most people with coronary artery disease who have not corrected the problem to dive.

How soon after a heart attack can a person fly in an airplane?

A person may fly in an airplane as soon as there is recovery from the heart attack.

How often can a person fly after a heart attack?

There is no restriction.

Should a person who has had a heart attack avoid saunas or steam showers?

They should be careful in these circumstances as they may cause a drop in blood pressure which may effect blood flow to the brain and to the heart. This may cause the patient to pass out or lose consciousness.

Should a person try to live a normal life after a heart attack or should they restrict certain regular activities?
The level of activity depends on the severity of the heart attack. If a large part of the heart muscle is involved and rendered ineffective then there may be more limitations on the physical activity. However, if the heart attack is mild and it is not complicated by heart failure then normal life activity may be resumed.

When can a heart attack patient drive a car again?

A heart attack survivor may drive in 2-4 weeks depending on how severe the heart attack was and if there were any complications.

How long until a heart attack victim can go back to work?

Depending on the type of work, patients can go back to work very soon after discharge from the hospital.

What if they have a physically demanding job?
A physically demanding job will need a longer time and will be evaluated based on follow up stress tests.

Are there some things I should never eat again ever for my whole life?
It depends on many variables such as your weight, cholesterol, blood pressure, and sugar levels. In general it is best to avoid fats, especially animal fats and saturated fats, desserts that are high in sugar and butter. Restrictions on diet for patients with a history of heart disease may remain in effect for the rest of their life.

I’ve talked to people who feel depressed after a heart attack, what is the relationship between depression and a heart attack?
It is believed to be mainly situational.

What can help a heart attack patient through any depression?
Cardiac rehab and anti-depressants may help through depression. In the January 24, 2007 issue of JAMA1 a study was published that showed that “citalopram or sertraline plus clinical management should be considered as a first-step treatment for patients with coronary artery disease and major depression” and that interpersonal psychotherapy did not add any benefit to the treatment.

Can a heart attack patient ever have sex again?

Yes. Sex is usually ok when a person can achieve 4-5 mets on a treadmill test without symptoms or other complications such as arrhythmia or significant ST changes (some people use ability to climb two flights of stairs without problems as their guideline for resuming sex). Usual heart rate with sex is 110-120 so when this heart rate can be achieved safely sex is usually ok. Interesting however is that the data on death and sex is from a study on business men who died suddenly - the study was from Japan. Additional circumstances included being with an unfamiliar partner, having eaten a large meal, having had an excess of alcohol and sex is added to this mix - not a generally good thing to do! It is appropriate to treat sex just like any other physical activity with the exception of adding the emotional environment to the mix! Really important is to also address the concerns of the "spouse or significant other" often the patient is ready to resume sex and the partner is scared to death!

Exercise After A Heart Attack

What is the difference between aerobic and anaerobic exercise?

Aerobic exercise promotes cardiovascular fitness by raising your pulse to a targeted level. It helps to strengthen the heart strengthen your heart, and allows the heart to pump more blood.. Some examples of aerobic exercise are walking, jogging, bicycling and swimming. Heart rate has to be maintained for at least 15 minutes to obtain the cardiovascular benefits.

Anaerobic exercise focuses on specific muscles and their size,endurance, and strength.Weight lifting and resistance training are examples of anaerobic exercise. 

How long should each aerobic exercise session be?

This varies depending on the patient’s physical condition and goals. In general 1 hour a day at least 5 days a week is recommended. For aerobic fitness shorter durations of 10-15 minutes two to three times a day may be beneficial. For weight loss, longer exercise durations of at least 30 minutes is preferred. Longer is better: at least 30 minutes with 40 to 60 minutes preferred to burn fat. Here are some studies with their recommendations 1.

How many times each week should I exercise?

Aerobic exercise is recommended every day as best and at least 5 times a week.

In general CR (Cardio Rehabilitation) programs last one hour [15 min warm up and strength exercises 30 min of aerobics (walking, biking, dancing etc. - always based on heart rate guidelines of 70% of maximal safe heart rate and 15 minutes cool down with stretching and relaxation) There is no benefit to attempting to obtain a higher heart rate above 70% your maximum. Everyone is encouraged to exercise daily for at least 30 minutes with specific guidelines based on their heart health etc. Most people go to formal CR classes 3 times per week. Levels are advanced based on capacity and other criteria such as orthopedic concerns, age, balance, other co-morbidities.

Wouldn't hard exercise make it more likely to have a heart attack?

This depends on your physical condition. If you are in a good physical shape then appropriate exercise should not cause a heart attack, but if you are not conditioned then increasing physical demand on your body and heart may cause symptoms or heart attack.

However, it should be noted that there are those who are in good physical shape but who experience a heart attack due to plaque rupture and not to is chemia. It is unknown if these ruptures may be triggered by exercise.

What range should you try to keep your heart rate in when you exercise?

A general rule is 190-your age which equals 85% of maximum heart rate. An exercise prescription may also be given so that if the exercise is supervised then the patient can go to 85% of maximum heart rate obtained on a treadmill test. If the exercise is unsupervised, then the goal is 70% of maximum heart rate obtained on a treadmill test. Use this calculator for a rough guide, but ask your own doctor for personal exercise recommendations.

Is there a minimum heart rate I should try to achieve during exercise?

To provide a benefit to your heart you should try to attain at least 50% of your maximum heart rate during a aerobic exercise session.

How many times each week should I exercise?

Aerobic exercise is recommended every day as best and at least 5 times a week.

In general CR (Cardio Rehabilitation) programs last one hour [15 min warm up and strength exercises 30 min of aerobics (walking, biking, dancing etc. - always based on heart rate guidelines of 70% of maximal safe heart rate and 15 minutes cool down with stretching and relaxation) There is no benefit to attempting to obtain a higher heart rate above 70% your maximum. Everyone is encouraged to exercise daily for at least 30 minutes with specific guidelines based on their heart health etc. Most people go to formal CR classes 3 times per week. Levels are advanced based on capacity and other criteria such as orthopedic concerns, age, balance, other co-morbidities.

What is supervised aerobic exercise?


Most times this refers to participation in a cardio rehab program. You attend an exercise session at a center staffed by nurses and physical therapists trained in working with patients post heart attack. During exercise you wear a heart rate monitor and the staff keeps a close watch on your heart rate.

How can you tell what your heart rate is?

You can check your own pulse, but a much easier and more reliable method would be to get a personal heart rate monitor.

What is a personal heart rate monitor?


These devices usually consist of two parts. An elastic strap with a transmitting device goes around your chest. Heart rate data goes wirelessly from the transmitter in the strap to a special watch on your wrist. You can read your heart rate on the watch as well as other useful functions. Some models sense your heart rate right from your wrist and do not require a chest strap.

What other functions do heart rate monitors have?

Almost all act as a standard watch, most as stop watches. Many have alarms to let you know if you are excersizing at a heart rate too low to help your heart as well as an alarm if you get your heart rate over your target to where it might present a danger. Some models interface with a computer for tracking. Often standard treadmills, exercise cycles, steppers or other cardio machines in a gym have heart monitors built in that read the signals from your regular chest strap transmitter on their own display without the need to wear the watch part.

How much do personal heart rate monitors cost?

The most well known personal heart rates monitors come from Polar, you may even see on cardio machines that they work with Polar equipment. In some cases people use "Polar" for heart rate monitors like they use the name "Kleenex" for tissues, but Polar represents a specific manufacturer. Polar heart rate monitors start at about $80. Other brands without the Polar name will do the job too and even work with Polar cardio machines as they all use the same frequencies to transmit your heart rate from the strap to the receiver either in the heart monitor watch or the gym equipment. You can find personal heart rate monitors starting at around $40 or less. With fancy features you may see some personal heart rate monitors priced over $400.

Where do you buy personal heart rate monitors?

Online, many sites will even offer free shipping on Polar or inexpensive heart monitors. You may find personal heart rate monitors in a local sports store too, try the running department or sports watch areas.

Are there special personal heart rate monitors for women?

Yes, a personal heart rate monitor for a woman might have a smaller watch face on the monitor and a smaller wrist band.

If you are wearing a personal heart monitor with an alarm in you exceed your target heart rate would that be considered supervised aerobic exercise?

No, for definition as supervised exercise you need trained staff with you in addition to having your heart rate monitored. This should not belittle the benefit of wearing a personal heart rate monitor when you exercise on your own?

Why would you want a personal heart rate monitor for unsupervised aerobic exercise?

Patients find these devices very helpful. Keeping your heart rate in the desired range during aerobic exercise holds the key to gaining the cardio benefits of the workout. If you do not get your heart rate up high enough you are not doing enough to help your heart. If you increase your heart rate too high you risk another heart attack. Taking your own pulse while you exercise can be difficult and inaccurate. Personal heart rate monitors help you to keep in the proper range and get the most out of your aerobic exercise time. Many people also find comfort in the heart rate readings to know they have a safe pace. People instructed by their doctors not to exceed a certain maximum heart rate might find themselves scared to push to hard and not workout hard enough, or go too hard because they have no accurate way to see their own heart rate and risk problems. A personal heart monitor helps on both ends of the spectrum, allowing the patient to exercise with more comfort and confidence. After a heart attack this can become quite important.

Where should you set the upper and lower limits on your personal heart rate monitor?


While you can use some of the information above as a start, this question really should be answered by your own physician based on your own age, health, risk factors and medications.

What do medications have to do with it?

Drugs such as beta blockers change your heart rate, so when recomending the proper heart rate for aerobic exercise the effect of the medicine must be taken into account.

What should you do if you exceed your target heart rate and the alarm on your heart monitor sounds?

Generally slow down. In most cases you should not abruptly stop your exercise unless you also have other symptoms. Look and the monitor and slow up until your heart rate gets back into the proper range and continue your workout. You can check you your own doctor for a personal answer to this part, but sometimes for a very short period of time if you have the proper conditioning going over a bit can be acceptable. An example of this would be someone who has returned to good physical condition and exceeds their target heart rate just before the top of a hill while bicycle riding. Going a little further at just a little over the target rate would be alright, but ask your own doctor what you should do in such a case.

My personal heart rate monitor stopped working?
Start by checking both the batteries, remember there is a battery in the wrist monitor and another in the chest transmitter.

Why does losing weight help lower the risk of a heart attack?


Losing weight helps lower lipids/cholesterol, blood pressure and the general work load on the heart.

If adjusting diet and exercise isn't enough what drugs can help?

Lifestyle changes do make a difference in heart disease. In addition to diet and exercise cholesterol lowering medications and anti-hypertensives help reduce the risk for heart disease. Learn more in the heart drug FAQ.

Does excersise help your heart in any other ways?

Exercise may help develop collaterals.

What are collaterals?

Arteries which grow to help circulate blood by circumventing the clogged arteries.

Heart Disease

Heart attacks kill thousands of people each day. Knowing how to react properly can save your life or the life of someone you love. Learning ways to avoid a heart attack or any form of heart disease in the first place may add even more years to your future. This website combines the efforts of doctors, featuring Dr. Tareneh Razavi the in-house doctor at Google, heart attack survivors and web site professionals to educate you about everything you might what to know about a heart attack and heart disease in an easy to follow format. Sections include warning signs prior to a heart attack, recognizing symptoms of a heart attack, what to do while having a heart attack, expectations in the hospital as a heart attack patient, heart disease treatments, recovery post heart attack, and heart disease prevention.

In a perfect world we would love every young person to read this site thoroughly regarding heart disease prevention and follow a lifestyle resulting eliminating the need for the sections on having a heart attack. In reality, people should find helpful information here no matter what stage they may be at in the time line of a heart attack or how they may be related to the heart attack patient.

Heart attack and heart disease information pages take the form of FAQs commonly known as Frequently Asked Questions. Most questions came from actual heart attack survivors with answers from medical doctors including Dr. Razavi.

We hope you find the answers you may be searching for here on our heart attack and heart disease information pages, but remember these sites should supplement what your own doctor may say and make you a more informed patient or caretaker. Never ignore your own physician’s advice to follow a suggestion made here. Each heart attack and each heart attack patient presents a unique situation. You and your doctor together should plan what works best for you. The more you know, however, the more you may take an active part in that process and the more you understand about heart attacks and heart disease the more likely you may be to follow procedures to improve your condition. Enjoy reading our heart attack and heart disease pages and best of luck to you!

Heart Diet and Exercise

Your doctor says you need to make some changes in your life: Start a heart-healthy diet, exercise a little, stop smoking, and more. You also walked away with some medication to take. Perhaps you're wondering: Why can't medicine alone do the trick? Does lifestyle really make a difference?

The Truth About Lifestyle and Heart Disease

The truth is, drugs won't cure heart disease, though it can certainly help control it. That means your lifestyle does matter -- a lot.

For starters, it's likely that some aspects of your lifestyle may have put you at risk for heart disease. These are called risk factors. Here's a list of common risk factors for heart disease:

• Smoking tobacco
• Having high blood pressure
• Being overweight
• Having unhealthy blood fat and cholesterol levels
• Having diabetes
• Being physically inactive
• Being over 55 years old for men and over 65 years old for women
• Having family members who had heart disease or a heart attack early in life: under 55 for your father or brother; under 65 for your mother or sister

Some heart disease risk factors you can't control, such as your age or health problems of your parents. However, some risk factors are related to your lifestyle, such as smoking, being overweight, and having an unhealthy diet. These lifestyle factors may have helped contribute to your heart disease. And these same risk factors will continue to make your heart disease get worse.

Luckily, the opposite is true as well. Adopting a heart-healthy diet and a healthier lifestyle can improve your health, even if you already have high blood pressure or other forms of heart disease. Here's what a heart-healthy lifestyle can do for you:

• Lower your blood pressure
• Lower your bad cholesterol and triglyceride (blood fat) levels
• Ease the stress on your heart
• Lower your risk of heart attack
• Lower your risk of stroke
• Prolong your life

Choosing a heart-healthy diet and lifestyle can even help your medications work more effectively. In some cases you might even be able to reduce or eliminate some medications.

But what exactly is a heart-healthy lifestyle? And how do you get started in making changes toward one? Let's take a closer look at seven lifestyle areas where changes can make a huge difference to your heart health:

• Smoking
• Body weight
• Diet
• Use of sodium
• Exercise
• Alcohol
• Stress control

Smoking and Your Heart

Let's get right to the bad news you probably already know: Smoking hurts your heart and blood vessels -- not to mention your lungs. Here's how:

• Nicotine from cigarettes tightens your blood vessels, which causes your blood pressure to rise and makes your heart work harder.
• Smoking lowers the amount of oxygen and increases the amount of poisonous carbon monoxide in your blood. Your heart ends up needing more oxygen but has less ability to get it. This increases the chances of having a heart attack.