Intro

[CPL593H]

I had a cardiac event on 12th June, ended up at Glenfields Hospital in Leicester with raised troponin and suspected heart attack. The angio showed up no blockages. Moved onto echo and mri, which led to my diagnosis of severe, but non obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, scarred tissue in heart with an EF of 64, so not great but not too bad compared to a lot. Ended up back in Glenfields after walking too fast/far up a hill, with pain in centre of chest and raised troponin. Told not to walk fast up hill anymore.

Take bisoprolol (2.5mg) and atorvastatin (20mg) tolerate both reasonably well, but bisoprolol limited by low bp and 40mg statin give me side effects.

Was a self employed chimney sweep and was advised by the consultant to give that up. So no earnings since June. I do though start a new, desk based job on 11th November, it should be physically easy, as long as the stress is within limits that should be ok.

I’ve cut out caffeine, alcohol down to 6 pints since June, weight down to a bmi of 22 by not snacking (just a breakfast, lunch, dinner routine)

Really looking forwards to getting to Christmas as my daughter (13) still loves it.

I’ve been reading the posts for a while

Nice to meet you

[Kristin1812 Heart Star]

Welcome to the forum. I’m sure someone who’s been a bit of a similar journey will reply. You do sound as if you’ve very cleverly adapted to your medical issues. Not an easy time, at all, and I’m sure there’s been a lot of heart searching (!) has gone into the changes you’ve made,

Good to hear,

[CPL593H in reply to Kristin1812]

Thank you Kristin for your reply. Its not been easy that’s for sure. Text can hide the unseen thoughts and struggles. Reading this page daily gives thoughts and info that helps.

[Kristin1812 Heart Star in reply to CPL593H]

I’m sure you’ve had your tricky moments......I know I haven’t found it easy to come to terms with these serious shots across my bows!

But we’re here!

Do let us know how your new desk job goes. It sounds like a big change for you.

[NorthantsSteve]

Nice to meet you, too. Smiled at alcohol down to 6 pints and assuming that isn’t per day 😂. Lots of people would give their right arm for an EF of 64%. If you don’t know - that’s the amount of blood that gets pumped from your ventricles each heart beat so it can never be 100%. 64% is very normal. Good luck!

[CPL593H in reply to NorthantsSteve]

Cheers Steve, yes that’s 6 pints in total, do miss the odd pint (and gin and scotch) but doing alright.

[Sillyfroggy]

Welcome,

This forum is definitely a safe place to air concerns and frustrations that only us lot understand.

I’ve heard a rumour that there’s a bit of a gin and slimline tonic movement on here but I’m far too virtuous for that (😈😈😈😈).

I’m 6 months post heart attack and my difficulty now is staying on the healthy wagon - with increased energy levels, being back at work and generally feeling better, the initial shock has receded and the siren call of yummy food, and too much of it is rather loud!

[CPL593H in reply to Sillyfroggy]

I get you, getting a healthy lifestyle is one thing but keeping it going will be the real hard yards👍

[Dougal2011]

Hi - my husband had a similar “cardiac event” on 9th October. Ended up in Glenfields too. One of the best heart hospitals in the UK so feel very lucky to be living locally. Unfortunately his angiogram did show blockages and 4 stents were put in. He’s on blood thinners for now because of the stents ( aspirin and ticagrelor) but also BP tablets like you and 80mg of Atorvastatin. Just wondering what your side effects from the higher dose of statin were? My H is experiencing some side effects he thinks.

Good you have found a less stressful job.Hope it all works out well for you.

[CPL593H in reply to Dougal2011]

Hello Dougal

The side effects built up with time, they were cramps like feelings (they hurt and prevented sleep) in my hips, small of back, thighs/ legs. I agreed with gp to try a lower dose after 3 days with no statins. The 3 days cleared my symptoms and I’ve been ok on 20mg.