What to Expect After a Heart Attack

What happens during a heart attack?

A heart attack happens when blood flow to part of your heart is blocked, often by a blood clot or fatty buildup. Heart attacks are different for everyone. Some come on suddenly and cause strong chest pain. Most, though, start slowly with mild pain or discomfort that can be easy to ignore. The symptoms can be different for men and women. 

Learn more about the signs of a heart attack and how to recognize them. 

What happens to blood pressure during a heart attack?

During a heart attack, blood pressure can change in different ways. For most people, it goes up. But sometimes, it can go down, or it might not change much at all. 

Because blood pressure changes are different for everyone, doctors don’t usually rely on it alone to tell if someone is having a heart attack. 

Heart attack recovery time

It can take time to fully recover from a heart attack. How long it takes depends on how severe the heart attack was and other health factors. For most people, recovery may take a few weeks or months. 

While resting is important, it’s also key to start moving again as you get stronger. Gentle physical activity can help your heart heal. 

A big part of recovery includes making healthy lifestyle changes that may take time. Give yourself permission to rest and don’t rush the process. Healing takes time, and it’s okay to take things one step at a time. 

Heart attack rehabilitation programs & treatments

After a heart attack, cardiac rehab programs are an important part of recovery. Banner Health offers medically supervised rehab programs that help you get stronger and lower your risk of future heart problems.

These programs include:

• Lifestyle changes to keep your heart healthy
• Educational support to help you make the right choices
• Exercise training with professionals who will guide you

Learn more about our heart rehab programs and how we can help you recover. 

Lifestyle changes to make after a heart attack

Making changes to your lifestyle is important to help prevent another heart attack and keep your heart healthy. One way to remember these changes is by following the ABCs of prevention:

• Avoid tobacco to protect your heart.
• Be more active by starting with light exercise and working your way up.
• Choose good nutrition, like heart-healthy foods that lower your cholesterol.

If you're not sure where to start, ask your doctor for advice on the best way to make these changes.

Get tips on eating healthy and staying active after a heart attack.

What happens if a heart attack goes untreated?

Some heart attacks don't cause strong, obvious symptoms, and they can go untreated. Every minute counts during a heart attack. The longer it goes untreated, the more damage can happen to your heart. 

Restoring blood flow quickly is key to preventing serious damage. If left untreated, a heart attack can weaken your heart over time and may cause heart failure.

If you think you're having a heart attack, call 911 or visit the nearest Banner Health emergency department.