Dismiss Modal

Recovery

Heart Attack: Your Recovery Plan

Choose a preferred language

You’ll work closely with your health care team to create a plan for recovery. This plan may include:

  • Tests to check how well your heart is healing.

  • Treatments, such as medicines or procedures, to help your heart work better.

  • Cardiac rehab (rehabilitation) to help make your heart healthier. Ask your health care provider for a referral.

  • Managing your risk factors. These are the things that put you at risk for another heart attack.

  • Frequent follow-ups with your provider.

  • Assessing your overall health and treating other medical conditions.

Health care provider talking to person in exam room.


Your role

You play the biggest role in your recovery plan. Only you can make the lifestyle changes needed to help prevent another heart attack.

  • Ask any questions you have and get the answers you need.

  • Ask for support following your plan, making changes, and learning new habits.

  • Know your options and take part in making treatment decisions.

  • Follow the plan you've agreed on with your health care provider. When you have questions, always ask.

© 2000-2025 The StayWell Company, LLC. All rights reserved. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional's instructions.

Find a cardiac specialist

Because every beat matters, our cardiac doctors are dedicated to providing care like no other can.

Browse heart doctors

Related Articles
Read article
Heart Health
Discharge Instructions: Taking Fast-Acting Nitroglycerin

Your health care provider prescribed nitroglycerin for you. Fast-acting nitroglycerin can stop an angina attack.

Read article
Heart Health
Discharge Instructions for Cardiomyopathy

Cardiomyopathy means that your heart is not functioning normally. It can make it more difficult to do things that may have been easy for you in the past.

Read article
Heart Health
Discharge Instructions for Low Blood Pressure (Hypotension)

Learn how to manage your low blood pressure at home.

Read article
Heart Health
Cardiac Rehabilitation

Cardiac rehabilitation programs can be conducted while a person is a hospital inpatient or on an outpatient basis.