Surviving a cardiac arrest is nothing short of miraculous. Yet for many survivors, the emotional journey that follows can feel overwhelming and confusing. If you find yourself crying more often than before, experiencing unexpected tears, or feeling emotionally fragile, you’re not alone. These feelings are not only normal but incredibly common among cardiac arrest survivors.
The Hidden Reality of Emotional Changes
Research shows that survivors of cardiac arrest show high rates of psychological issues, with more than 40% suffering from anxiety, 30% from depression, and 25% from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Beyond these clinical conditions, many survivors experience what psychologists call emotional lability – sudden, intense emotional responses that can include frequent crying, mood swings, and heightened sensitivity.
It’s normal to have no memory of a cardiac arrest, and you may feel low, angry, confused or a combination of lots of different emotions due to the shock of the experience. The tears that come aren’t just about sadness – they can represent grief, relief, fear, gratitude, or simply the overwhelming nature of processing such a profound experience.
Why Crying Happens More After Cardiac Arrest
There are several interconnected reasons why crying becomes more frequent for cardiac arrest survivors:
Neurological Changes
The brain will likely have experienced periods of reduced oxygen during the cardiac arrest, which can affect areas responsible for emotional regulation. Even brief interruptions in blood flow can influence how we process and express emotions.
Psychological Trauma
In the early months following cardiac arrest, you may cycle through various emotions like disbelief, fear, sadness, anger, anxiety, and guilt. Mood swings are prevalent as you grapple with the enormity of what occurred. The mind struggles to process the reality of having technically died and returned to life – a concept that challenges our fundamental understanding of existence.
Medication Effects
Many cardiac arrest survivors are prescribed new medications that can affect mood and emotional regulation. Beta-blockers, for example, while essential for heart health, can sometimes contribute to feelings of depression or emotional sensitivity.
Post-Traumatic Stress
Studies show significant rates of PTSD among cardiac arrest survivors, with symptoms including anxiety, hypervigilance, trouble with concentration or sleeping, and avoidance of places and behaviours that remind them of the traumatic event. Crying can be a natural response to this underlying trauma.
The Grief of Changed Identity
Many survivors describe grieving their “old self” – the person they were before the cardiac arrest. This grief is valid and necessary. You’re mourning the loss of feeling invincible, the certainty of tomorrow, and perhaps physical capabilities you once took for granted. Tears are a natural part of this grieving process.
When Crying Becomes Healing
While frequent crying can feel distressing, it serves crucial psychological functions:
- Emotional release: Tears help process complex emotions that words cannot express
- Stress relief: Crying releases stress hormones and can provide physiological relief
- Connection: Sharing tears with loved ones can deepen bonds and understanding
- Acceptance: Crying can be part of accepting your new reality and moving forward
Supporting Yourself Through Emotional Waves
Acknowledge Your Feelings
It’s not unusual to have no memory of your event, and you may feel low, angry, confused or a combination of lots of different emotions due to the shock of the experience. Don’t judge yourself for crying – it’s a natural response to an extraordinary experience.
As Charlotte Brontë wrote in Jane Eyre,
“Crying does not indicate that you are weak. Since birth, it has always been a sign that you are alive.”
These words ring especially true for cardiac arrest survivors – your tears are evidence not of fragility, but of your remarkable journey back to life.
Create Safe Spaces
Identify places and people where you feel safe to express emotions. This might be with a trusted friend, family member, therapist, or support group of fellow survivors.
Practice Self-Compassion
Treat yourself with the same kindness you would show a friend going through a similar experience. Recovery isn’t linear, and emotional ups and downs are part of the journey.
Consider Professional Support
If crying feels overwhelming or interferes with daily life, consider speaking with a mental health professional who understands cardiac arrest recovery. Therapy can provide tools for managing emotions and processing trauma.
Hope in the Darkness
While the statistics on mental health challenges after cardiac arrest might seem daunting, it’s important to remember that research shows many survivors can develop increased psychological resilience and may even view their experience as transformative. Recovery is possible, and many survivors find meaning, purpose, and even joy in their new chapter of life.
Post-Traumatic Growth: Finding Strength in Struggle
Beyond simply recovering from the trauma of cardiac arrest, many survivors experience what psychologists call post-traumatic growth. This phenomenon describes the positive psychological changes that can emerge from struggling with highly challenging circumstances. Survivors often report:
- A deeper appreciation for life and relationships
- Increased personal strength and resilience
- Enhanced spiritual or existential understanding
- Greater compassion for others facing difficulties
- Clearer priorities about what truly matters
The tears you shed today may be watering the seeds of this growth. While we don’t wish trauma upon anyone, research shows that the process of working through difficult experiences can lead to profound personal development and a richer, more meaningful life. This doesn’t minimise the pain you’re experiencing now, but offers hope that your struggles may ultimately contribute to positive transformation.
Moving Forward with Compassion
Your tears are not a sign of weakness – they’re evidence of your humanity and your brain’s remarkable ability to process profound experiences. Each tear represents your journey from death back to life, a journey that few people will ever understand as intimately as you do.
Remember that healing isn’t about returning to who you were before – it’s about discovering who you’re becoming. The person emerging from this experience may be different, perhaps more emotionally sensitive, but also potentially more compassionate, grateful, and aware of life’s precious fragility.
If you’re supporting someone who is crying frequently after cardiac arrest, your presence and understanding matter more than finding the perfect words. Sometimes, simply sitting with someone in their tears is the most healing gift you can offer.
Seeking Support
If you’re struggling with emotional changes after cardiac arrest, remember that support is available. Connect with cardiac arrest survivor support groups, speak with your healthcare team about your emotional well-being, and don’t hesitate to reach out to mental health professionals who understand the unique challenges of cardiac arrest recovery.
Your tears are part of your story of survival, resilience, and ultimately, healing. They honour the magnitude of what you’ve been through and the strength it takes to rebuild your life. In time, you may find that the same sensitivity that brings tears also brings a deeper appreciation for life’s precious moments.
If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of self-harm after cardiac arrest, please reach out to emergency services or contact the Samaritans at 116 123 immediately.
After our first meet-up in February 2015, I realised I was not alone. It was the first time since my cardiac arrest the previous year that I had spoken face-to-face with someone who had experienced what I had. This was also true for my wife, who also happened to be my lifesaver. From that meet-up, the idea of SCA UK was born. Since then, we have achieved a considerable amount, primarily providing information, resources and support to others in a similar situation but also raising the profile of survivorship and the need for better post-discharge care. We are starting to get traction in this, and with the formation of the charity, I genuinely believe we have a bright future ahead and will make a significant difference in the lives of many who join our ranks.
Thank you I think this will be very helpful to many of us it is all very true.