Is the heart permanently damaged after a heart attack?

Without blood flow, the affected heart muscle will begin to die. If blood flow isn’t restored quickly, a heart attack can cause permanent heart damage and death.

Do you ever fully recover from a heart attack?

Most patients stay in the hospital for about a week or less. Upon returning home, you will need rest and relaxation. A return to all of your normal activities, including work, may take a few weeks to 2 or 3 months, depending on your condition. A full recovery is defined as a return to normal activities.

Can life go back to normal after a heart attack?

Most people survive their first heart attack and return to their normal lives to enjoy many more years of productive activity. But having a heart attack does mean you need to make some changes in your life.

How likely are you to live after a heart attack?

Studies have found that survival rates for people hospitalized for heart attacks are approximately 90\%2 to 97\%. 3 This varies based on the type of heart attack, which arteries are involved, and additional factors such as age and gender.

What are the side effects after a heart attack?

These can occur while you are active or at rest, and include:

• Chest pain (angina).
• Tightness or pressure in your arms, neck, jaw, or stomach.
• Shortness of breath.
• Dizziness, weakness, or fainting.
• Pale, sweaty skin.
• Fast or irregular heartbeat.
• Nausea and/or vomiting.
• Swelling or pain in your legs.

Does the heart repair itself?

But the heart does have some ability to make new muscle and possibly repair itself. The rate of regeneration is so slow, though, that it can’t fix the kind of damage caused by a heart attack. That’s why the rapid healing that follows a heart attack creates scar tissue in place of working muscle tissue.

Can stress cause heart attack?

Stress may lead to high blood pressure, which can pose a risk for heart attack and stroke. Stress also may contribute to such cardiovascular disease risks as smoking, overeating and lack of physical activity. “Chronic stress has been shown to be associated with increased cardiovascular events,” Schiffrin said.

Can stents cause death?

WEDNESDAY, March 15, 2017 (HealthDay News) — More than a year after getting stents to prop open their clogged arteries, some patients are still at increased risk of death if they suffer either blockages or bleeding events, researchers report.

How do you strengthen your heart after a heart attack?

Regular cardio exercise can make your heart stronger. Examples include walking, jogging, running, bicycling, and swimming. Exercise helps your heart pump blood and deliver oxygen to your body. It can lower your cholesterol level and blood pressure.

Do you get a headache after a heart attack?

A headache is not a common symptom of a heart attack. Severe chest pain is the primary symptom. According to the AHA , the additional early signs of a heart attack may include: a feeling of fullness or tightness in the chest that may come and go.