Recovering after a Heart Attack by Dr. Trisha Macnair For many people who have a heart attack, it is a life-changing experience. Some people find that once they have fully recovered they feel better than they have for years. But it is also an enormous shock which can force a person to confront their unhealthy habits and address their worst fears, whether that means accepting that it really is time to give up smoking or facing up to the inescapable certainty of the ageing process and man's mortality. It's hardly surprising that as many as 1 in 4 people suffer from depression after a heart attack.
Many people live in fear of another attack - and with good reason.
Proper rehabilitation, which includes making changes to your lifestyle, can reduce these risks and increases your life expectation. If you are not offered a formal programme, ask your doctor if there is one locally. Exercise is an important part of rehabilitation The first 48 hours are critical. After this recovery begins. Within a few days the tissues of the heart begin to heal and, if there are no complications, you may be discharged from hospital after 5-7 days.