Are There State Restrictions On Driving After A Heart Attack?

Dr. Bonow answers the question: 'State Laws On Driving Post-Heart Attack?'

ByABC News
December 26, 2008, 12:53 PM

— -- Question: Are there state restrictions on driving after a heart attack?

Answer: That's a very good question. What are the regulations for driving after heart attack? This varies a lot from state to state and from region to region, and I can't give a simple answer that would cover every state and every city. But clearly, we do have that information available to you through the motor vehicle administrations of the states, as well as through your doctor's office, and you know, just ask the question. It's a very important question.

I mean, in most circumstances, there's not major restrictions if you're not severely ill. So most patients after a heart attack who return to full functional capacity, they're out there driving again without any limitation at all. But there may be some restrictions on people who've had larger heart attacks with more severely damaged muscle, and the simple thing to do is to check with the motor vehicle administration and your doctor.

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