How long before you drove again after a heart attack?

[Poorlymum]

2 weeks for mum and she's thinking of driving next week. I'm nervous as she still isn't walking far. If she feels able then maybe I should keep quiet?

[Milkfairy Heart Star]

Here are the requirements from the DVLA about driving after a heart attack. gov.uk/heart-attacks-and-dr...

I hope your mum has a good recovery from her heart attack.

[RogerN123]

It very much depends on what your mum's consultant says. I had a heart attack in April, which was treated with two stents, fitted in separate procedures. I was allowed to drive one week after the second one had been fitted. However, it is also not uncommon for people to have to wait for a month before driving. It all depends on their individual situations, so if in doubt ask your mum's consultant.

[Cee-Cee1]

Hi PoorlyMum - although the official guidelines suggest that it's legal for Mum to be back behind the wheel again , if I were you I'd suggest to Mum that she checks with the GP or consultant that she's okay to drive again just to be on the safe side. You could even word it in such a way that it's just to keep her insurance right. 😊 Everyone recovers differently for our various procedures and some feel more able than others. I was given the 'all clear' to drive again 6 weeks after a triple bypass by the surgeon who performed the operation, but I still waited for a further two weeks before I felt comfortable enough. Sending your Mum (and you!) every best wish for a full and fast recovery. Carol.

[Lowerfield_no_more]

As others have said the DVLA have rules about the minimum time for driving after a heart attack and it might be appropriate to also check with the cardio team too. But if anyone drives against medical advice and ignore the DVLA rules they could invalidate their insurance cover. And it might also be a good idea to check the insurance policy to see if the provider needs to be advised of the HA although this is not often the case as far as I am aware.

[STUBAX]

After my HA Iwas told in no uncertain terms not to drive for 4 weeks after discharge from hospital, also reinforced when cardiac nurse visited.

[Heartandflowers]

I was told six weeks after my emergency HA and PCI. So clearly reading all the replies it is not always the same. Therefore best to check with the medical team at the hospital where treated.

[Poorlymum in reply to Heartandflowers]

Mum had a HA and PCI too. She was told 1 week by the consultant, and her discharge letter says 1 week but I spoke to the other consultant on shift and he told me she mustn't drive for 4 weeks. Mum therefore arguing with me about this (she must be feeling better ha ha)

[fishonabike in reply to Poorlymum]

as someone else suggested, as well as checking the DVLA requirements make sure that your mother contacts her insurer - she must report any change in her health and any new medication, and she should ask for confirmation of what she tells them in writing - if she fails to do this the insurer could refuse to pay out on any claim she makes

also when my mother was having increasing problems with her eyesight we discussed the situation with her and pointed out that she might cause injury to another person and asked her how she would feel about being responsible for that - a short while later she told us that she had decided to give up driving

[Qualipop]

After HA and two stents. I waited 4 weeks until I felt well enough but for the first couple of weeks I wanted someone with me just in case I didn't feel well. It was a confidence issue.

[Heartandflowers]

I certainly didn’t have the confidence or felt fit enough to drive after only one week. Although I did feel well enough to have driven after four but stuck with the six more for insurance purposes in case I encountered any mishaps on the road.

[RoyMacDonald]

4 Weeks after a stroke to meet DVLA rules. I was cycling almost straight away though as there was no time limit on that.

All the best.

Roy