Health effects of heart attacks

Learn how a heart attack can affect your health. 

On this page

Physical effects of a heart attack

Physical effects of a heart attack can include:

  • soreness
  • difficulty with strenuous activities, such as:
    • lifting heavy items
    • pushing or pulling actions that cause you to hold your breath
    • repetitive arm work like:
      • raking
      • digging
      • vacuuming
      • grass cutting
  • difficulty bathing or showering in very hot or cold water

If you have had a heart attack, ask your health care provider about how to manage the resulting health effects.

Increased risk effects of a heart attack

Increased risk effects of a heart attack can include:

  • emotional difficulty, possibly leading to depression
  • pain or an increase in pain you already have
  • a return to hospital
  • loneliness
  • fatigue
  • death

A heart attack may also lead to developing further heart diseases, such as heart failure or heart valve disorders.

Page details

Date modified: