Is a recovery possible in a person suffered with heart attack and in coma?
Patient: My friend had a Heart Attack.  All I know from talking to his wife is that they did not perform any surgery, and that his heart stopped beating for about 10 minutes before any attempt to resuscitate could be made.  He is in a "self-induced coma" on life support and they are starting a process to turn the life support down to see if the body reacts or starts to show signs of taking over.  My questions are:  What is the potential for brain damage?; and Is a recovery possible? Doctor: DEAR USER,THANKS FOR CONSULTING WITH HCMI UNDERSTAND YOUR CONCERN.. I M REALLY SORRY AS ANSWERING ABOUT RECOVERY OF A CRITICALLY ILL PATIENT BEFORE GOING THROUGH ALL THR REPORTS AND THE PATIENTS PRESENT CLINICAL STATUS IS A BIT CUMBERSOMEBUT I BELIEVE THE DOCTOR IN THE ICU OF YOUR PATIENT CAN  TELL YOU BETTER AND THAT WILL HELP YOU ALOT.. YOU CAN TALK FREELY TO HIM ABOUT THE PATIENT.HOPE I ANSWERED YOUR QUERY. YOU CAN MESSAGE ME FOR ANY FURTHER CONCERNS