The Crittenden Automotive Library

Driving After A Heart Disease Diagnosis

Driving After A Heart Disease Diagnosis

Lucy Wyndham
18 November 2020

Every year, approximately 805, 000 Americans have a heart attack, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). While a serious heart attack may prevent you from returning to your old life for a while, you should at least be able to return to some degree of normalcy relatively soon. Getting back behind the wheel of a car may seem like one of many natural steps to take during your recovery, but it is of vital importance to make sure you are both prepared and physically ready to do so. The severity of heart disease should never be undermined, and resuming driving should only ever happen under close medical supervision.

The risks can’t be ignored

While a cardiac patient may get the ‘all-clear’ to drive from their medical team, it would be reckless to ignore the risks associated with driving with heart disease. Depending on the diagnosis, heart disease may result in a driver losing control of a vehicle and being involved in an accident. The main cardiac disease-related causes of loss of control of a car include a heart attack, stroke, or ruptured aortic aneurysm. A study conducted at the University of California, however, found that patients with a life-threatening ventricular arrhythmia - including those who had to be fitted with an implantable cardioverterdefibrillator (ICD) - were not more at-risk of being in a car accident.

Listen to your heart

When it comes to cardiac disease, prevention is definitely better than cure. This includes determining whether you are at risk for impaired cardiovascular function. By conducting a truthful personal assessment, you will have a greater insight into your chances of contracting cardiac disease. This will enable you to make vital lifestyle changes and seek out professional medical assistance. Depending on the severity of your condition, you may be expected to stay off the road for anywhere between 48 hours and six months following a diagnosis or cardiac procedure.

Be prepared for the unexpected

Whether you are merely considered an at-risk individual or you have been diagnosed with heart disease, it is important to always be prepared for the unexpected, especially when driving. Always make sure you carry emergency contact numbers on you and in the car, and always let someone know when you are leaving home, where you are heading, and when you are expected to return home. Make sure your health and car insurance policies are also up to date should you require any emergency interventions. Carry your prescription medication with you at all times while driving, and pull off the road swiftly and safely should you feel experience any sudden pain, dizziness, nausea, or difficulty breathing while driving.

Remember that even if you feel fit enough to drive, you should never get behind the wheel without clearing it with your doctor first. While you might be eager to get back behind the wheel as soon as possible, it is of vital importance to ensure that you are healthy enough to do so first.