Brain Training After Cardiac Arrest

Brain training after cardiac arrest is one of the most practical steps survivors can take to support cognitive recovery. When cardiac arrest causes a period of oxygen deprivation to the brain, the resulting acquired brain injury can affect memory, concentration, processing speed, and mental stamina. The good news is that the brain retains a remarkable capacity for recovery — and targeted mental exercise, alongside good diet and physical activity, can support that process.

Why Brain Training After Cardiac Arrest Matters

During cardiac arrest, blood flow to the brain stops. Even a brief period of oxygen deprivation — sometimes just a few minutes — can damage neurons, particularly in the hippocampus, the region responsible for memory and learning. Many survivors experience some degree of cognitive difficulty after their event, including poor short-term memory, difficulty concentrating, mental fatigue, and word-finding problems.

Brain training after cardiac arrest works because of neuroplasticity — the brain’s ability to reorganise itself, form new neural pathways, and compensate for damaged areas. This capacity does not disappear in adulthood. Research from Headway, the brain injury association, confirms that recovery continues well beyond the first six months post-injury, and that cognitive engagement is an important part of supporting it.

Does Brain Training Actually Work?

The evidence on commercial brain training apps is nuanced. Apps like Lumosity and Peak are designed to improve performance on specific cognitive tasks — and they generally do improve scores on those tasks. However, the question of whether those improvements transfer to everyday functioning (what researchers call “far transfer”) is less clear. A large-scale study by the University of Cambridge found limited evidence for far transfer from commercial brain training programmes.

That said, cognitive engagement itself — the act of learning, problem-solving, and mentally challenging yourself — does appear to support brain health and may support recovery after acquired brain injury. Furthermore, many survivors find brain training apps genuinely helpful for rebuilding confidence, tracking their own progress, and maintaining a sense of daily structure during what can be a difficult recovery period. Those benefits are real and worthwhile, even if the cognitive transfer is modest.

Brain Training Apps Worth Trying After Cardiac Arrest

The following apps have been used and recommended by members of the SCA UK community. None are guaranteed to improve cognition, but all provide structured cognitive challenge that may be useful as part of a broader recovery approach:

Lumosity — one of the most widely used brain training platforms, with exercises targeting memory, attention, problem-solving, processing speed, and flexibility
Peak — a highly rated app with daily challenges across memory, mental agility, language, and emotional intelligence
Elevate — focuses particularly on language, maths, and processing skills; useful for survivors experiencing word-finding difficulties
Cambridge Brain Sciences — developed by cognitive neuroscientists; uses clinically validated tasks to assess and exercise memory and reasoning

Beyond Apps: Other Brain Training Activities After Cardiac Arrest

Brain training after cardiac arrest does not have to mean staring at a screen. Some of the most effective forms of cognitive engagement involve learning something genuinely new. Research published in the journal Psychological Science found that learning a complex new skill — such as digital photography, music, or a new language — produced more robust cognitive benefits than activities that were familiar and low-demand. The principle is to challenge the brain in ways that require sustained effort and real learning.

Activities that survivors in our community have found helpful include:

Learning a musical instrument — particularly beneficial for memory, coordination, and attention
Learning a new language — apps such as Duolingo make this accessible and low-pressure
Puzzles and strategy games — crosswords, Sudoku, chess, and similar activities provide daily cognitive challenge
Reading regularly — particularly fiction, which has been shown to engage empathy, attention, and language networks in the brain
Creative pursuits — drawing, writing, photography, and crafts engage different cognitive systems and can also support emotional recovery

Physical Exercise as Brain Training After Cardiac Arrest

Physical exercise is one of the most evidence-backed interventions for brain health and cognitive recovery. Aerobic exercise in particular — walking, cycling, swimming — increases blood flow to the brain, promotes the growth of new neurons in the hippocampus, and raises levels of BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor), the protein that supports neuroplasticity. For cardiac arrest survivors, exercise should be undertaken in line with guidance from your cardiac rehabilitation team and cardiologist. Our pages on Cardiac Rehabilitation and Virtual Fitness Clubs have more on getting active safely after cardiac arrest.

Getting Professional Support for Cognitive Recovery

If cognitive difficulties are significantly affecting your daily life, it is worth asking your GP for a referral to a neuropsychologist or occupational therapist. Formal cognitive rehabilitation programmes are available for people with acquired brain injury and can provide structured, professionally supervised brain training after cardiac arrest. Headway and the UK Acquired Brain Injury Forum (UKABIF) both provide resources and can help connect you with appropriate services.