Heart Information

• Home
• About Us
• Chest Information
• Heart Information
  • How The Heart Works
  • Living With Heart Conditions
    • Coronary Heart Disease
    • Angina
    • Heart Arrhythmias
    • Heart Attack
      • "Heart Attack: A Guide To Your Recovery" video
      • Assessment And Treatment
      • Initial Recovery
      • Cardiac Rehabilitation
      • Emotional Recovery
      • Moving On
        • Your Family And Friends
        • Work
        • Your Sex Life
        • Keeping Active
        • Driving
        • Flying
    • High Blood Pressure
    • Heart Failure
    • Heart Valve Problems
  • Tests And Investigations
  • Treatments
  • Reducing Your Risk Of Heart Disease
  • Where To Get Help
  • Suggested Book List
  • Heart Glossary
  • Heart Links
• Stroke Information
• Advice Line
• Publications and DVDs
• Community Support
• Fundraising
• Education, Training and Funding Applications
• Voices Scotland
• Research
• Volunteering
• Health Professionals
• Stroke Chat Scotland

You are in: Home > Heart Information > Living With Heart Conditions > Heart Attack > Moving On > Work

Work

Unless your doctor advises against it there is no reason why you shouldn't be aiming to get back to work.

You can usually expect to do this within a few months but everyone's circumstances are different, so don't compare yourself with others.

The length of time off work will depend on what your job is. For example:

• Someone who sits at a desk all day may be able to return to work quicker than someone who has a very physical job.
• Someone working in a low pressure environment may be able to return to work quicker than someone with a very mentally demanding and stressful job.

How to cope with returning to work

• It is important that you are honest with your employer and close colleagues so that you do not put yourself under too much pressure. Flexible working patterns can be useful to begin with.
• Build up both physical and mental activity gradually.
• Be honest and realistic about how you are getting on.
• You may feel unexpectedly tired by your work at first; avoid stressful situations and go to bed early.
• Where physical requirements are too much for you, it may be necessary to retrain or find alternative duties at your workplace. If your work has an occupational health department, they can be a useful source of support and information.
• If you are told you can not continue in your previous employment there is help available for retraining or changing occupation. Ask for an appointment to discuss this at your local job centre or careers advice department.

Your partner working

Your recovery is likely to be faster if your partner continues to work and have outside activities.

Try not to feel abandoned if your partner returns to work soon after you come out of hospital. This is a good way to get your confidence back and help you both return to normal life.

Coping with stress

When your job is mentally demanding or stressful it is important to learn some stress management skills, including time management. A simple rule of thumb regarding time management is to split your day into thirds: one third sleep, one third work and one third social and leisure activities.

You may find it useful to learn relaxation techniques and practice breathing control exercises. These can help minimise the effects that stress and anxiety have on your life.

Back to top