Your heart recovery: tips from a cardiac nurse

After a heart event, it’s completely normal to feel shocked, angry, frightened, frustrated, or overwhelmed. You may even feel all of these emotions at once. These feelings are valid. A heart event can be life‑changing, and it takes time emotionally and physically to process what has happened.

For some people in the first few weeks after a heart event, negative feelings are common and normal, and it is often referred to as the ‘cardiac blues’. These emotions can often be eased by talking to people around you, such as your general practitioner (GP), cardiac rehabilitation team, family, or friends.

Remember: there is no health without also considering your mental wellbeing. Reaching out for emotional support is just as important as taking your medicine.

If you find that you are still feeling down, you should speak to your GP, who can discuss treatments that can help you. 

Your carers are on this journey too. Learning as they go and trying to work out what the next steps look like. It's often those closest to you who feel the weight of frustration during recovery, especially on difficult days. Open, honest conversations about needs and boundaries can help both sides feel supported.

Hospital stays can feel hectic and overwhelming. For some of you it will have been a complete surprise in your week with some urgent symptoms needing care, and quite often surgical treatment. You’ll receive a lot of information in a short amount of time, and most people only remember snippets of what’s said.

These are some helpful tips while you’re in hospital. 

1. Write things down or keep notes on your phone.
2. Include your support person in conversations with the healthcare team (GPs, nurses, physiotherapists, social workers) so they can also absorb the information.
3. Don’t be afraid to ask practical questions as well as medical ones (for example about your wounds and medicines), such as: 

• When can I return to work?
• Is it safe to drive?
• Are there any restrictions around lifting or activity?
• What about travel or holidays I have planned? Can I still go?

These questions matter, and your healthcare team expects them. 

Once you’re discharged, recovery doesn’t stop; it simply moves into a new phase. 

• Book a GP appointment within one week of discharge. Ideally, organise this as soon as you get home. You will need to check in with your GP early on to see how you are going physically and to get repeat scripts for medicine.
•  If you’ve been diagnosed with coronary heart disease, consider joining the MyHeart MyLife program. It’s accessible via your smartphone or computer and offers practical, trustworthy support you can access at any time. It contains lots of information in short text messages, emails, and online articles with videos to guide you through your recovery and learning to live well.

Recovery isn’t about doing everything perfectly – it’s about doing what you can, when you can. 

Some key principles to keep in mind: 

• Learn about your medicines and take them as prescribed. Knowing what you are taking, why, and when will help you adjust to a new routine. Some medicines will be short term (e.g. for pain post-surgery), and some will be lifelong. Set reminders so doses are not missed. 
• Stop smoking or vaping. If you need help, talk to your GP or contact Quitline for support.
• Take each day as it comes. Some days will feel easier than others.
• Set realistic goals. Small changes add up. Use SMART goals – specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time‑based. Don’t over commit yourself. 
• Consistency is key. A bad day, week, or even month doesn’t mean failure. Do the best you can in that moment, and when you’re ready, gently get back on track.
• Nutrition matters. Be mindful of what you’re eating. Nourishing your body supports your heart and overall recovery.
• Sleep is essential. If you’re not getting enough quality sleep, try to identify what’s getting in the way and seek support from your GP to address it.
• Exercise is medicine. Gentle activity, such as walking, is a great place to start. If you’re struggling or unsure, an exercise physiologist can help tailor a safe plan for you.

You don’t have to recover alone. Staying well connected with your healthcare team and community support can make recovery smoother and safer. 

This may include: 

• your GP
• your local pharmacist
• allied health professionals such as dietitians, diabetes educators, physiotherapists, or exercise physiologists.

Cardiac rehabilitation is also incredibly beneficial. It provides education, supervised exercise, and emotional supportand helps you regain confidence in your body again. Get connected to your local cardiac rehabilitation program through your hospital/health service or check out our directory to find one near you. 

If connecting with others feels helpful, peer support can make a big difference. You might like to explore our two private Facebook groups:  

• MyHeart MyLife online community: for adults across Australia, living with a heart condition, and their carers.
• Supporting Young Hearts online community: for adults aged 18–45 years living with a heart condition and their carers.

Knowing you’re not alone can be incredibly reassuring. Peer support helps validate what you are experiencing through sharing your story and reading others’ stories. You will get support from people who truly understand what you’re going through.