Panic and worry

[Ketantanna]

I am a 52 yr old male and 3 weeks ago suffered a heart attack followed by 3 cardiac arrests. Having stayed in hospital for 3 days when 3 stents were placed in my LAD. Initially I was very positive but after a few days it hit me. I feel very emotional at times and am consumed with worry and start to panic with a slightest of a twitch in my chest and / or arms. Did anyone else feel this way and is it normal to have such twitches?

[jimmyq]

Most of the people on here felt that way at first. You have been through a traumatic experience and it will take time for you to come to terms with it. Talk to your other half and your close family. Ask you GP surgery and the hospital if there are any support groups in your area and join in with them. There may be a cardiac rehab team in your area that can give you medically supervised exercise and advice to help you through this. People on here are very helpful too.

[Ketantanna in reply to jimmyq]

Thanks Jimmyq. I am waiting for an appointment from the Cardiac Rehab and also for counselling.

[Lezzers]

Hi, sorry to hear you've been so poorly. My husband had a massive heart attack followed by cardiac arrest & he was also very emotional. Its very early days for you so you're bound to feel unsure & worried. Have you been offered cardiac rehab? If so, please take advantage of it, it's a great confidence builder. Also, you could ask your GP/cardiologist /heart nurse for counselling. You've been through a very traumatic time that takes a lot of getting over. In addition to this group, on Facebook there is a group called Sudden Cardiac Arrest UK where you can also get lots of support & advice from people who've been through the same experience. And just as an aside, my husbands heart attack/cardiac arrest was 20 years ago when he was 42!! Its never happened again but he does now have an ICD fitted as a precaution. I wish you well & best wishes for a full recovery xx

[Ketantanna in reply to Lezzers]

Thank you Lezzers. I’ve joined the SCA group on Facebook, which is helping.

[Zena166]

Hi. As others have said this has been a major shock and trauma. Yes I agree with Jimmy most of us have had those feelings and twitches then panic is it isn’t it going to happen again. It takes a while for you to get used to the way your body is now acting. And when I can’t decide I seek help. You should be offered a rehab class which helps with confidence. BHF have a list of support groups in the different regions on their website so there maybe one in your region. As Lezzers mentioned counselling there is also a self referral option to talking therapies which may help. It’s early days and still very raw for you so stay strong and take each day at a time. Take care. Zena

[Ketantanna in reply to Zena166]

Thank you for your advice Zena166

[Ketantanna in reply to Ketantanna]

Zena166 - just spoke with the Cardiac Nurse at BHF and she was fantastic. Thanks .

[Mjd7568]

Hi Ketantanna

I had three stents in my LAD last October and went through exactly what you are now, believe me it will get better a lot better. The cardiac rehab is great especially with the support of the rehab staff who are fantastic, I feel better now than I have for years I do still have the odd day of feeling down and concerned but know I have to be strong and get through those feelings, not just for me but also those around me.

Good luck

[Ketantanna in reply to Mjd7568]

Thanks for message of support MjD7558.

[junik53]

I have found that these feelings diminish with time and after your appointments with cardio team also the rehab program helps a lot .I have had a very up and down time since my H.A. 8 weeks ago and have written very similar to you since finding this site.The help and knowledge on here is excellent,but in no way is it a substitute for information from the professionals ,but it is somehow comforting to know that others have had similar experiences to you.Give yourself time and be good to yourself.hope you feel better soon

[Ketantanna in reply to junik53]

Thank you.