Just been diagnosed with heart disease? You're not alone, and there's a lot you can do.

Whether you've had a heart attack, a stent or bypass surgery, or a test showed narrowed arteries, a heart disease diagnosis can feel overwhelming. The good news is that most people with coronary artery disease go on to live active, full lives. Here you'll find clear, friendly guides for you and your family, one step at a time.

Updated September 28, 2026

In an emergency, call 9-1-1 or your local emergency number.

Start here

Your first 30 days: a checklist

  • Save the phone number of a nurse, clinic or doctor you can call with questions.
  • Book a visit with your family doctor within a week or two of leaving hospital, and keep your heart specialist follow-up.
  • Take every heart medicine exactly as prescribed, and never stop one without talking to your team first.
  • Keep an up-to-date medicine list in your wallet and by the phone.
  • Ask for a referral to cardiac rehab, and check that it was sent.
  • Walk a little every day, building up slowly, unless your team tells you otherwise.
  • Learn the heart attack warning signs, and share them with your family.
  • Tell your team if you feel low, worried or can't sleep for more than two weeks.

Understand it

  • Understanding your heart tests: What ECGs, troponin and cholesterol blood tests, echocardiograms, stress tests, heart CT scans and coronary angiograms show, how they feel and how to prepare. (6 min read)

Your treatment

Living well

When to get help

Call 9-1-1 now

  • Chest discomfort: pressure, squeezing, fullness, pain, burning or heaviness
  • Discomfort in the neck, jaw, shoulders, arms, back or upper stomach
  • Shortness of breath, with or without chest discomfort
  • Sweating or a cold sweat
  • Nausea or throwing up
  • Light-headedness or feeling faint
  • Angina that is new, stronger, happens at rest, or doesn't settle as usual with rest or your prescribed medicine
  • Someone collapses, doesn't respond, or isn't breathing normally: call 9-1-1 and start CPR

Call 9-1-1 or your local emergency number. Don't drive yourself.

Call your care team soon

  • Your usual angina is happening a bit more often, or with less activity than before
  • You feel more short of breath than usual with everyday activities
  • Swelling in your ankles or legs, or sudden weight gain over a few days
  • Dizziness, or a heartbeat that feels very fast, slow, skipping or fluttering
  • Side effects from your medicines, such as unusual bleeding or bruising, or muscle pain
  • Redness, swelling, warmth or discharge at a wound, or where a tube went in for a stent or angiogram
  • Low mood or worry that lasts more than two weeks
  • You run out of a heart medicine or can't afford it

If you have any of these signs, call 9-1-1 or your local emergency number right away. Stop what you're doing and sit or lie down. If your doctor prescribed nitroglycerin, use it as instructed, and follow the 9-1-1 call taker's instructions. Don't drive yourself to the hospital. Symptoms can be mild or come and go, and they may be different from last time. If you're not sure, call.

Questions to ask your team

A printable list of questions to bring to your next appointment.

Go deeper

Written for clinicians and students. More technical material from Hibbert Medical, for readers who want more detail.

Podcast summaries

Briefings

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Clinical cases

Common questions

What is coronary artery disease?

Coronary artery disease happens when a fatty material called plaque builds up inside the arteries that carry blood to your heart muscle. This can narrow the arteries and reduce blood flow, which can cause chest discomfort (angina). If a plaque breaks open and a blood clot forms, it can block blood flow and cause a heart attack. Medicines, procedures and healthy habits can all help.

Can I live a normal life with heart disease?

Most people with coronary artery disease go on to live active, full lives. Taking your medicines, going to cardiac rehab, staying active, eating well and not smoking all help lower your chance of future heart problems. Your care team can help you set goals that fit your life.

What is cardiac rehab, and do I need it?

Cardiac rehab is a program of supervised exercise, education and counselling for people with heart disease. It is recommended after a heart attack, stent or bypass surgery. Research shows it lowers the chance of another heart attack and of going back to hospital, and helps people feel better. Ask your doctor for a referral. Many programs also offer home-based or virtual options.

How long will I need to take my heart medicines?

Many heart medicines, such as those that lower cholesterol, are taken long term. Some, like certain anti-clotting medicines after a stent, are taken for a set time that your team will decide. Never stop or change a heart medicine on your own, even if you feel well. Ask your team how long you need each one.

Is it normal to feel anxious or depressed after a heart attack?

Yes. Worry, sadness and fear are very common after a heart event, and depression affects many people with heart disease. These feelings are real and treatable, and looking after your mood helps your heart recovery. Talk with your care team if low mood or worry lasts more than two weeks. If you are thinking about suicide, call or text 9-8-8 in Canada or the U.S., or call 9-1-1.

Sources for this page

  1. Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada: Coronary artery disease
  2. Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada: Emergency signs
  3. Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada: Coming home
  4. Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada: Angina
  5. American Heart Association: Warning signs of a heart attack
  6. NHLBI: Coronary heart disease
  7. NHLBI: Heart attack recovery
  8. Dibben G, et al. Exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation for coronary heart disease. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2021
  9. Lichtman JH, et al. Depression and coronary heart disease: AHA science advisory. Circulation. 2008
  10. Virani SS, et al. 2023 AHA/ACC multisociety guideline for chronic coronary disease. Circulation. 2023

General information, not medical advice. It does not replace your own care team. If you think you or someone else is having a medical emergency, call 9-1-1 or your local emergency number. If you are in crisis or thinking about suicide, call or text 9-8-8 (Canada and the US).

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