Cardiac arrest

[Sarg69]

Hi, having been a runner for the last 15 years I was shocked to discover I’d suffered a sudden cardiac arrest on 2nd September at home, over 30 minutes down time 3 days in an induced coma and an ICD implant fitted in my chest !!! I’ve been left trying to get my head around it all, it’s all a bit surreal as there is no damage to my heart it was just one of those things !!!! Which doesn’t really help. I’m struggling as I have no confidence to leave the house alone as I’m now scared of it happening again even though I now have my own defib fitted in my chest. Nobody really understands what I’m going through so I’ve joined this forum as I’m hoping people will be able to share their stories and advice?? Thanks

[Wodney1966]

Well at least you know that you can’t have another cardiac arrest I’ve got a icd fitted I’ve got heart failure and dilated cardiomyopathy 😌😌😌

[Sarg69 in reply to Wodney1966]

Thanks

[stevejb1810]

Hello Sarge

Welcome to our world. You are absolutely not alone. There are many on this forum who have had interventions so fast that we have had no opportunity to think and adsorb what has just happened. Your experience was somewhat quicker than mine (I went from angiogram to triple CABG in 8 days, all of it spent in hospital with no access to the internet to do any sort of research), but even with 8 days to get used to the idea, I spent many days post op trying to get my head around it all. It is scary and most of us have more than a little understanding of that. The word 'surreal' is used more on this forum than I have seen anywhere else because it describes perfectly how we feel!

My advise is to get some counselling. Look online or ask your GP. Talking about it in a safe environment with someone trained to listen and help you think things through, really does help. People are interested, but many will have absolutely no experience of what it is you have gone through and are going through - don't write them off.

Best wishes

Steve

[Sarg69 in reply to stevejb1810]

Thanks Steve for your advice .

[skid112 Heart Star]

Hi there, comes as a shock to most of us. The confidence thing, you should get invited to a cardiac rehab class. This will boost your confidence and show you what your heart is capable of. You should be able to get up and about fairly speedily given you are a runner.

It's tough, very tough when it comes out of the blue, you feel terrified that every ache, every twinge is another. Go for a walk, take it nice and easy, breathe, next few days are supposed to be fairly mild across the country, get some sunshine and enjoy life. It is really good and you only get one, us hearties have a second round

Take care get well soon

Mark

[Sarg69 in reply to skid112]

Thanks Mark

[Heartlady1]

Hi Sarge..... welcome to the forum. What a shock for you to have all that has happened to you so quickly. But thankully you do now gave a device fitted.... which will.protect you and your heart. I had a CRTD fitted 8 weeks ago.

In my case I did have time to prepare myself psychologically but it is still a big think to deal with and accept.

I called my device Kurt, to make it feel more personal and that it's my friend, looking after me, rather than just a piece of metal inside me. It may seem silly to some... but it has definitely helped me to accept... And even embrace Kurt.

The lack of confidence in going out and doing things is a natural reaction which many on the site bring up as having experienced. It is however important to start getting out and about.... would it be possible to have someone go with you initially. That'

[Heartlady1]

Oops pressed the button too early.

Yes if you can get someone to accompany you when you go for a walk. If you are still unable to drive....perhaps catch a bus into town and wander round the shops. Baby steps will help you build up your confidence.

I too have not been offered cardiac rehab..... but others on the forum have and say it has been hugely helpful so maybe contact your ICD clinic to ask if they can set this up for you.

All the very best in moving forward.... And remember you are not alone... either in your condition or how you are feeling.

Take care x

[Sarg69 in reply to Heartlady1]

Thanks for your advice my daughter named my device Cid (pronounced Sid) as it’s an anagram of ICD, which we find amusing.

[Heartlady1 in reply to Sarg69]

Love it.... it's not just me then. I called mine Kurt... as it's CRT with an added vowel 😁. I told the team at the hospital...

And when I went for my check p

[Heartlady1 in reply to Heartlady1]

Check up.... they asked how was Kurt doing 😂😂. Good old Sid and Kurt x

[KEN65]

Hi Sarge69 I know how you feel with the why me, Healthy oldie always done sport and playing 5 a side one evening bang, woke up next morn in Bas hospital with tubes coming out and being told don't be scared !. Had a CA with 9mins down as told loads of zaps to bring me back, down to a blocked artery now cleared with stents, the shock and concern as you say drains you of your confidence and I have been there, all I can say matey is time heals and watch the meds that are helpful but can cause other probs as I experienced, 20 mths on with no implant and off 2 meds it does get better but in honest it always is now in the back of my mind can this happen again, answer maybe but get on with living otherwise whats the alternative, one helpful area for me was the family buying me a garmin health watch to keep an eye on my heart which has helped but as they say listen to your body in how you feel and that is the way forward, take it slow and I wish you well.

[Franksluckypants]

People who have not experienced it may well have the best of intentions, but you are spot on, they can only really guess what you are going through. However ‘we’ do understand, though how we react to it going forward will vary.

I have no recollection of half a day before and after my CA (cardiac arrest), which was back in May this year. Very strange time to say the least. The next 3 times I saw my mate (who allegedly gave my CPR for half an hour) he burst into tears. Now I know I’m ugly but…it was odd as I hadn’t experienced any of the trauma my wife, kids and friends had been through.

Over the next few weeks I went through various stages of grief (for the way of life I’d thought I’d lost), to euphoria, depression, back to grief/ guilt, and various other mode swings through the time.

The ‘why me’ question? I think probably most of us go through this, particularly if you have been fit and healthy before the event. ‘Why me’ to survive when 90-96% of cardiac arrest’s result in death? It may not help much now as these things take a good while to think through in your head.

I needed a bit of a kick up the jacksay as was being way too cautious and worried about getting back to doing normal things. Going out and just living my life, or would I just drop and wake up (or not…) in hospital again? My wife made an appointment with the cardiologist surgeon who fitted my ICD 4 months after the CA and he did the metaphorical kicking! It really helped. I have been out walking 6-10miles each day and enjoying family holidays almost back to normal…still have to wait a couple of weeks till back to driving 6 months post CA event!

I would also recommend the rehab classes as there will be people going through the same things and it is really beneficial to talk these things through with others.

Why me can be an expression of grief over what we think we have lost, but also an expression of gratitude.

You’ll get there and even though you don’t know us you have a new bunch here rooting for you!

[gal4God]

I had a cardiac arrest wen I was 2 1/2 during a heart op. I had just had a stroke which was related to my heart condition. It’s the onli time it’s happened in my life and I’m in my 30s. I do have a dibliatar in my heart tho. I’ve had it since I was 11 months due to my heart condition.

[Sarg69]

Thanks to everyone for their kind words and support it is good to have these comments as you too have been through similar things. I am awaiting an appointment for cardiac rehab and I’ve been for a walk with a friend it’s just building up my confidence to go out alone that I’m struggling with especially after being such a fit independent woman before all this. It’s good to know things will get easier. Thank you all xx

[TracyTT]

Hi. My name is Tracy.

Although my situation is not as complicated as yours, I have been left feeling exactly the same. I feel I'm living in fear of every twinge or ache. I have been told by my gp it is normal to feel this way as it's the shock more than the procedure you are dealing with. I have an appointment next week with the rehab team and from what I can gather it is the best place to talk about concerns. To be honest it can't come quick enough. I am new to this forum and so far I've had a few replies that were reassuring.

I hope you get the support you need.

Take care 😊

[Sarg69 in reply to TracyTT]

Thanks 😊

[SickoftheM6]

Hi, I'm on here by association! My hubby went through pretty much exactly the same thing as you. He is a cyclist and runner and had a resting heart rate just over 40 bpm. He's 48. He had a CA at the end of July. Just stood up after lunch and went down. He was out for 41 mins and in an induced coma for 3 days. He now has an ICD fitted.

He doesn't remember anything from the day before until a couple of days after he woke up and for a while didn't really believe what was happening. There was (and still isn't) any explanation, which I think he found the hardest thing to cope with. For me, I had faced losing everything, so my main feeling was thankfulness that he was still here and still himself, for Dave, he had been fine 5 mins earlier and now someone had changed his life while he wasn't looking. He was hurt, upset and pretty angry for a while. He was also dealing with feeling rough - tired, broken ribs, tablets - for pretty much the first time ever.

We're now three and a half months on. The scales have tipped more to the 'thank God I'm alive' than the 'why me?' We had to chase the cardiac nurse, but it was definitely worth it. He hates being dependent on me to drive anywhere and not being able to help taxi the kids, he hates trying to remember to take tablets every day, he hates trying to sort out things like repeat prescriptions, but he also can see a bit of light at the end of the tunnel. He is walking the dog everyday. He's not quite ready to get back to his monthly 10 hour walk in Snowdonia just yet, but he is doing 10 miles a couple of times a week as well as back on his bike turbo trainer.

There are people out there to talk to that understand exactly where you are on this. Please don't feel alone. One day at a time and it will get easier, I promise. Let us know how you're getting on x

[Sarg69]

Hi I can’t believe your husbands and my episode are so similar I to am 48 and everything you’ve said is true my husband and children at first were just glad I was alive and all I could think was why me I’m fit. I have now realised I am lucky but still think why me? I am awaiting rehab but don’t go anywhere on my own yet. I am getting stronger and it’s good to know that there are others out there that have gone through the same thing. Like your husband I was doing nothing when this happened, that’s why it was such a shock.

Thanks for your words of advice wishing you both a good journey back to normality xx

[Bionic_swimmer]

Hi Sarg69

I'm in my 30s and know people who have been very active, had arrests and eventually got back to doing what they love albeit not as competitive. Don't think you have to reach a particular milestone by a certain point. Listen to your body and the docs and build it up. I've an icd and pacemaker and I do my best to try and keep doing what I love. Counselling is definitely worthwhile. Being kind and patient to yourself is also important!!

It's a huge change but you will get there!x

[Sarg69 in reply to Bionic_swimmer]

Thank you I am awaiting lots of appointments but your words are encouraging 😊