my father had a heart attack 2 weeks ago tomorrow. he is called the "miracle man" around the ICU. he was nonresponsive for 4 days, then slowly started showing signs he would be alright. his memory is very foggy! we repeat things continually, but i feel like certain things are stating to click... (maybe) he is very curious now and has lots of questions.... his past memories are very fuzzy too... so i guess we will see. scary! i hope you all are doing alright.. i know what a stress it has been around here... Jessica In OREGON

My Dad also had a cardiac arrest on the 1st April, it was out of hospital and thankfully a passing doctor gave CPR for 20 minutes before the paramedics turned up and did a further 40 minutes of CPR before they got his heart started. When he came round after about a day he had pretty sever short term memory problems and a foggy longer term memory, specifically struggling to get the exact details of longer term memories. Its been 10 days now and we are seeing some very small improvements and doctors are giving us a cautiously optimistic prognosis.

Our issue is trying to work out what is the best way for us to stimulate him put also not stress him out to much as he gets frustrated with the situation. All the doctors are focusing on the heart related issues primarily so we're feeling around for ourself at the moment on the mental rehab.

Jessica - Have you seen any improvements in your dad over the past week? Any good advise on ways to stimulate the memory?

my brother had a heart attack in april 2009 when he came round in icu his short term memory was a matter of minutes and gradually it has returned to normal maybe took a week or so tho!!
good luck

My Dad still has quite bad short term memory lose and it has now been 4 weeks. We are seeing small improvements but we've been told it may take 3-6 months to see how much it will improve. Just got to be patient and see what happens i guess. Thankfully he still has all his intellegence and personality

So I originally resoponded to a post.. Im jme675, and my dad had a heart attack on March 21,09. He is SOOOO much better! The docs still cant believe he MADE It! His doc just shakes his head every time he see him! (in amazement!!) He is still known as the miricle man... docs have never seen anyone pull thru the way my dad did.. (no/ or minimal brain damage, if any at all...said he is a very STRONG man....and very LUCKY!!) My dad is back to work... his memory is wonderful! (that was my biggest worry) He still doesnt remember the day it happened... and much of the ICU, but thats a good thing! I hate seeing him get stressed out now! He never had open heart surgery, but had 1stent, and angioplasty... so for now, he is ok! Im am super worried about it reoccuring, since he still has one completely blocked artery, and only a stent in onE! I love him so much!and have benefited from this horrible experience! we talk much more now and he has actually told us all he loves us! (im 34 years and it was never said in our housE!) God works in mysterious ways.. and I hope he plans on keeping my dad around for a while longer!

My dad just had a heart attack...almost a massive one. He is having short term memory loss and the doctors are just saying that we have to wait and see. I think I should demand to talk to someone in Neurology. Any other useful tips to get us through at this time?