Anxious and scared

[Szlachcic]

Hi there, I am new here and was wondering if anyone can give me some advice re the below.

I am 43 male diabetic (sine I was 5) and last April I was diagnosed with the acute coronary disease. I had two stents done. The consultant said that it was a warning and I was allowed to return to work and drive after a week. My consultant does not want to describe it as “heart attack” as it is so broad description and does not describe my condition properly. I did a rehab and after 3 months I was allowed to return, gradually, to play football again.

However, I always suffered from anxiety and over the last 2-3 months it has been getting worse (I am seeking help for this). It got to the point that I think about my heart 24/7 and checking my apple watch few time an hour. In addition, my blood pressure meter (Omron Evolve) showed 3-4 times an irregular heartbeat sign (even though the readings where pretty good below 130/90 and pulse around 66 and I did not have any symptoms, I know of, which would suggest that I have irregular heartbeats). That really scared me and now I am so anxious that it feels like there is always something wrong going on. I did email my cardiologist (after the first time it happened) and the response I got was that I would be put on 24 hrs blood pressure monitor to “reassure me” that there is nothing wrong (I have not had a response to when I informed about the other times yet).

Has anyone been through the similar experience and can share some advice, please? I would much appreciate it. Thank you

[Donkster]

Hi I find out of the two Apple Watch and fit bit that fit bit is more accurate and has a better app to record what’s going on over time. Hope this can help reassure you

[Szlachcic in reply to Donkster]

Thank you very much

[Donkster in reply to Szlachcic]

Get the Fitbit it keeps track of sleep as well which is also important factor if you have an iPhone Fitbit is a surely the way forward I have both but went back to my Fitbit after short while but don’t take it to literally although it’s pretty accurate

[Kimlouise]

Hi Szlachcic, I had episodes of very fast heart rate recorded on my Apple Watch, up to about 170 bpm - it’s one of the reasons I went to my GP in the first place. At one point I had a 5 day ECG, and it was found that the high BPM episodes on my watch coincided with periods of ‘somatic interference ‘ whatever that is, so they weren’t accurate. It was very reassuring to hear. I do still wear the watch but only pay attention to the heart rate if I can actually ‘feel’ symptoms. I too was very anxious about it. Good luck with it all.

[Szlachcic in reply to Kimlouise]

thank you very Kimlouise. that was helpful.

[JulesF]

Hi, I can really sympathise with the anxiety which I too suffer from. The most helpful thing I have ever found was having some counselling from a specialist cardiac psychologist when I had my ICD fitted. I was so grateful for the way she helped me to deal with the combination of my anxiety and underlying illness. I can't say that the anxiety has gone but I feel like I'm more in control of it now and that makes a big difference to my physical symptoms which I'm sure are often exaggerated when I am panicky. Hope that is of some help.

[Szlachcic in reply to JulesF]

Thank you. I am seeing psychiatrist this week and I will ask about specialist cardiac psychologist

[JulesF]

Hope your appointment this week offers some further help. Best wishes 😊