Hello to everyone..it’s only been five days since I had a heart attack and went through one of the worst days ever..I’ve had one Stent put in..I am so frightened of every little pain and twinge that I’m getting anywhere..but for me it’s mostly on my right side..I am so thankful to be able to even here to write this message..I am very emotional but I’m trying to be positive...and after reading a few of the comments on here, it is helping me..
Sending everyone best wishes.
Join the club , I've had a rotten emotional day today aches twinges and awake half the night , some days are better than others , hang in there ,it gets better ...Some days lol
Hi Anya. It’s early days and you’re still in shock. Like Daffodils I still get twinges and emotional 10 months on. However starting rehab will be good it gives confidence. Before rehab start doing small amounts of exercise I followed a heart manual that started with 2 minutes exercise such as walking on the spot then building up to 30 minutes over a few weeks. Also outside walking. Again slowly just walking out on the front pavement (just in case I needed help!!) then building to 30 minutes. It takes time. I couldn’t differentiate between the twinges so sought help when the pains were worrying but all was well. So I know it’s a cliche but time will help as will getting fitter and more confidence. Take care and look after yourself. Zena x
Hi I had a heart attack and cardiac arrest last June with 4 stents 11 months later I am fitter than before the event with swimming and cycling. It does take time though the pysclogical side. But you will get there good luck
Hi Anya,
I had a heart attack 4 weeks ago and had 3 stents inserted. Remember that your body has been through a lot and it’s about getting to know it again, which takes times. I am also getting twinges and it is worrying but like the others have said it will get better, so stay positive. Take care.
All this is a very big shock to body and mind. Give yourself time to heal. Get your GP to refer you to cardiac rehab. It not only addresses gaining confidence while increasing activity but also give you a chance to discuss any symptoms with a cardiac nurse. I found it all very comforting.
Hi Anya, it's very early days and as the others have rightly said it takes time and is a long old haul. I had a heart attack and 2 stents fitted last December and have just started Phase 4 of cardiac rehab. Please make the most of cardiac rehab even if you think it doesn't sound like your thing. I never thought I would be exercising and in the gym but it is helping.Talking to others in the same boat has helped too. I focus on the fact I survived the heart attack and am trying to do everything within my power to make sure I don't have another one. Take care xx
I agree with Zena166 , you are in the early stages of healing and that is a slow process. Were you appointed a cardiac nurse? These nurses are specialists in the area of cardiology and are very knowledgable, they can provide great support.
Your heart is a muscle. Just because you can’t see it doesn’t mean it should be ignored. If you had injured your leg muscle, the inflammation and swelling would be visable, you would have pain on walking which would lead you to automatically rest your leg.
Your heart muscle is no different. It can be inflammed and irritated at the moment and needs rest. Like all muscles, you need to build up exercise regimes slowly but regularly. Twinges can be paar for the course in the beginning however, should they continue or chance in pattern, you need to contact your local doctor.
Take care!
Hi, had HA two weeks ago and now have 3 stents. Like you I feel twinges and still worry about sleeping in case I don’t wake up. However, even after such a short time I do feel so much better. Walking 15 - 20 mins each day which helps in terms of fitness and confidence building. Also generally pottering about just to be a bit active. I don’t have a date yet to start rehab but that’ll really help as everyone on here says. So keep positive and look forward, good luck!
I could only echo what others have said, it’s a total shock not just to the body but for me it was very difficult to accept that it had happened to me, went into denial mode. I believe you just need to be patient and be positive about it, see below link to see what can be achieved despite having this condition, it’s not all that gloomy, like some people make out.
healthunlocked.com/bhf/post...
I would strongly recommend chasing your GP for the rehab class, I found that really helpful and like many have said that nurses there are very knowledgeable.
Wish you all the best and speedy recovery and do keep us in the loop as you make progress.
Hello Anya I too agree with Zena166. I joined the Stent club 9 weeks ago. Been and still going through the twinges and anxiety. Things are starting to ease but l realise it takes time. My general health is much better than before and I've just been on my first session at Rehab ... what a fantastic team of nurses and physios. Be patient and my best wishes for your recovery.
Hi Anya
Welcome
I agree with what everyone else has said. In my case HA just before Christmas and stents in circumflex artery.
Awful Christmas with twinges and mood swings I found three things helped
1. This forum, proves we are not alone and everyone looks out for each other
2. Cardiac rehab, which I finished 3 weeks ago. I now go to the gym 3 times a week, and I find that amazing
3. Set yourself small goals and milestones. Mine were things like make birthday, make Easter, make Daughters birthday, 30 minute walk, go to the shops etc. You get the idea, that way there's something to focus on as well as the aches and twinges we get.
As others have said, the heart is a muscle, we need to educate it back to good health
Godd luck and let us all know how you get on.
Hi
I also had same experience as you (15 months ago) and I totally agree with all that has been written here about the future, and the critical role of cardiac rehab. I have since recovered good health e.g. doing the London -Brighton Cycle ride for the BHF in June, and also resumed scuba diving last year.
Just one point though - I was told that I should rest totally for the first month post heart attack. It was only after that advised healing period that it was encouraged to progressively scale up my physical activity.
Stay positive!
Anya,
Not to be too redundant to everyone, but to say, "yes, twinges are normal, it gets better, go to cardiac rehab". I am six weeks on from a heart attack and two stents. I am American, and found this site and the bhf.org.uk site while googling around about this very thing: twinges and anxiety. I had excellent care and followup, but one thing no one told me early on was that I would still feel the twinges, the pains, the stabs, etc. It has taken a lot of reading to get to a place of understanding about what my heart itself has been through: heart attack, (with minor damage, thankfully), angio, stenting, etc. Essentially being poked and prodded and ballooned. It takes time to heal. And the anxiety takes time to subside. And comes on unexpectedly, sometimes. Or is triggered by one of those twinges. This site helps tremendously -- talking to others about what is normal. And rehab, where we learn or re-learn to exercise under watchful professionals and learn what we can do -- and should do -- and that we are going to be okay. Frankly, my cardiologist says he expects me be like NathanBlau above, "better than you were before your heart attack". (Although I can't get to the UK to ride the ride!).
It's normal. Hang in there!
Sending warm angel hugs out. It’s a terrifying time and you are not alone
I had my operation on Wednesday and have been home since Saturday.
Rest and look after yourself
Good to know we aren’t alone..I’m frightened to go to bed..we have to keep positive I know..but it is difficult..first visit from the nurse for me in the morning..
Stay positive and find something to distract your attention, read a book helps
Had my heart attack just over a year 1 stent fitted . I was very lucky it was only 20 percent flow in June of last year had mri scan with the help of meds flow up 65 . I have had a few ups and downs cryed many times. But I am here fighting so take each day as it comes .take rehab if you are lucky to have it .I wasn't so lucky none here and talk on here helped me
The emotional side of heart disease is often overlooked. When I was diagnosed with Type I diabetes as a kid (over half a century ago) it was a massive shock for my parents and myself but we had no support and were basically told to get on with it! These days both the child and parents get a lot of support. This is something that really needs tackling along with the long delays in treatment for many which adds to the stress.
Thanks for posting this... I had my a heart attack and two sents fitted a couple of weeks ago, I get them tiny pains in my chest and then panic 
Reading all the comments has helped a bit 👍🏻
Got my 1st rehab meeting tomorrow so hopefully that will help too 👍🏻👍🏻
Stent
stents inside stents which are inside stents!
A stent for Christmas!
Snorkelling with stents
Problems with stents
