There is no single answer, and anyone who gives you a confident one is guessing. Physical recovery after a cardiac arrest is often longer than people expect. CPR can cause significant chest wall injuries (cracked or bruised ribs and a sore sternum are common), and the resulting pain and breathlessness can take weeks to months to resolve. Profound fatigue is also very common and frequently persists long after other physical symptoms have eased. If you have had an ICD fitted, or undergone other procedures, recovery from those adds further time. Returning to normal levels of activity typically takes several months, and cardiac rehabilitation is an important part of that process.
Emotional and psychological recovery is often slower, and less predictable. Anxiety, intrusive memories, low mood and fatigue are all common and can persist well beyond the point where you feel physically recovered. For some survivors, the emotional adjustment continues for years. That does not mean you are doing it wrong.
Progress is rarely linear. Many survivors describe a pattern of feeling better, then having a setback, then moving forward again. If the emotional side is not improving with time, or is getting worse, speaking to your GP is the right step. Effective support exists. Our counselling and talking therapies page covers the options available to you. You can also read more about emotional issues after cardiac arrest and connect with others in our community who are at different stages of the same journey.