Life after a heart attack: work, driving, travel and intimacy

Practical guidance on getting back to work, driving, travel, sex and good sleep after a heart attack, stent or bypass surgery, and what to ask your team.

6 min read · last reviewed September 28, 2026

After a heart attack, stent or bypass surgery, life doesn't stop. It changes, and for most people it gets back to something that feels normal again. You may have lots of questions about work, driving, travel and your love life. Those questions are normal, and your care team wants to hear them.

Here is what to expect, and what to ask.

Going back to work

Most people with coronary artery disease go back to work, often one to three months after leaving hospital. When you go back depends on how your heart is healing, the treatment you had, and the kind of work you do.

• Physical jobs are often fine. Many people worry that active work isn't safe. Usually that's not true. Some physical activity can actually be good for your heart. Your team will tell you what's safe for you.
• Ease back in. Ask about starting with shorter days and building up over two to four weeks.
• Pace yourself. Do harder tasks early in the day, and take breaks when you're tired.
• Speak up. Tell your team if you have trouble focusing or remembering things, or feel very worried about going back.
• Don't rush big decisions. If you are thinking about retiring early, talk it through with your team first. Base the decision on facts, not fears.

Cardiac rehab can help you get fit for work and build your confidence.

Something you can do: Ask your doctor for a note that explains when and how you can return to work.

Driving

Driving rules after a heart attack or heart procedure are there to keep you and others safe. They depend on:

• What happened (for example, a heart attack, a planned stent or bypass surgery)
• How well your heart is pumping
• Whether you drive for a living, such as a truck, bus or taxi
• The rules where you live

In Canada, doctors follow the Canadian Cardiovascular Society's fitness-to-drive guidelines along with provincial and territorial rules. In the U.S., rules vary by state. As a general guide, private drivers may be able to drive again anywhere from a few days after a planned stent to about a month after a larger heart attack or bypass surgery. Commercial drivers usually need to wait longer, sometimes up to three months. In some places, doctors must report certain conditions to the licensing office.

Don't drive if you still have symptoms, feel dizzy, or feel very tired.

Something you can do: Ask your doctor, "When can I drive again, and does my licence office need to know?" Check the rules with your local licensing office too.

Travel

Many people travel again after a heart attack, including by plane, once they have recovered and their condition is stable.

• Check with your team before you book, especially if your heart attack was recent or you had complications.
• Pack medicines in your carry-on, in their original labelled containers, with extra in case of delays.
• Carry a list of your medicines, your diagnosis and your doctor's contact information.
• Get travel health insurance that covers heart conditions. Tell the insurer about your diagnosis, or you may not be covered.
• Move often on long trips. Walk around and stretch your legs.
• Know how to get help where you're going. The emergency number isn't 9-1-1 in every country.

Something you can do: Before a trip, ask your team if it's safe for you to fly, and when.

Sex and intimacy

It's very common to feel nervous about sex after a heart event. Many people worry sex will be too much for their heart. Here is some reassurance: for most people, sex uses about as much energy as climbing two flights of stairs. Heart problems during sex are rare.

• Ask when it's right for you. For most people, it's somewhere around two to eight weeks after a heart attack or heart surgery. If you can climb two flights of stairs without chest pain or getting very short of breath, that's a good sign.
• Start slowly. Cuddling, touching and closeness all count. Take your time.
• Choose a good moment. Pick a time when you're rested and relaxed. Avoid sex right after a heavy meal, after drinking a lot of alcohol, or in a very hot or cold room.
• Stop and rest if you get chest pain. Contact your care team as soon as you can. If it doesn't settle, call 9-1-1.
• Talk with your partner. Share your worries. Many couples find they grow closer.

A very important medicine warning: Medicines for erectile dysfunction can cause a dangerous drop in blood pressure if taken with nitroglycerin or other nitrate medicines. Never combine them. Ask your doctor whether erectile dysfunction medicine is safe for you, and don't use herbal products for this, as they may interact with your heart medicines.

Some heart medicines can lower sex drive or cause erection problems. Low mood and worry can too. Don't stop a medicine on your own. Tell your team. There are often other options.

Something you can do: It can feel awkward, but ask your doctor or rehab nurse about sex. They talk about it every day.

Sleep

Good sleep is part of a healthy heart. The American Heart Association includes sleep in its "Life's Essential 8" for heart health and suggests most adults aim for 7 to 9 hours a night.

After a heart event, it's common to sleep poorly for a while because of worry, pain or new medicines.

• Keep a routine. Go to bed and get up at about the same times each day.
• Wind down. Put screens away before bed and keep your room cool, dark and quiet.
• Limit caffeine later in the day and avoid alcohol close to bedtime.
• Move during the day. Daily activity helps you sleep better at night.
• Watch for sleep apnea. Loud snoring, gasping or choking at night, or feeling very sleepy during the day can be signs of sleep apnea. It is linked to heart problems and can be treated.

Something you can do: If you snore loudly or feel exhausted during the day, ask your team about a sleep test.

Questions to ask your care team

• When can I go back to work, and should I start with shorter days?
• When can I drive? Do I need to tell my licensing office?
• Is it safe for me to fly or travel? When?
• When can I have sex again? Are any of my medicines a concern?
• Could any of my medicines be affecting my sleep, mood or sex drive?
• Should I be checked for sleep apnea?

This article is general information, not medical advice. Talk with your health care team about your own situation. In an emergency, call 9-1-1 or your local emergency number.

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

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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