Objective. To investigate the characteristics of hemodynamics and regulation of heart rhythm after ischemic stroke. Material and methods. We used a rat photochemical model of ischemic stroke. Results. In the subacute stage of stroke, different hemodynamic disturbances in rats with high and low levels of heart's functional capacity (HFC) were found, with more severe disturbances in animals with low HFC. Conclusion. Though the disturbances in the autonomic heart regulation, related to HFC, did not emerge in the early post-stroke stage, HFC predicted the trajectory of post-stroke recovery.