Hi I'm 54 female fit active none smoker but liked a bottle of red after work. Out of the blue 6 weeks ago I had heart attack. (One stent )
I'm lost, don't know what to do next, I walk 10000 steps but I'm bored and sick of talking about my heart attack,
I need to move on get my life back but what do I do?
Not back at work yet, I can't be bothered.
Any suggestions welcome
I was 43 when i had mine and one stent. That was 4 years ago, what i have learnt how ever hard listen to your body, its all change can be frustrating but you will get through it. I have since walked a marathon and other days stuck on sofa, this is the best place to talk as we get it. Will you be going rehab?
Hi there, I've had one session of rehab, it was ok but felt like I was treated like an OAP, I go walking with my cocker spaniel daily about 3.5k in two hours or there about. Eat low carb diet , still drinking red wine ,I know I should stop. I'm tired and bored with myself not depressed o motivation
Hi
6 weeks is still very early days. I had same experience as you and like you started rehab at about the same time. Can I please encourage you to continue with the rehab? Without a structured approach and help you will likely not attain the same levels of recovery. You may also find inspiration and friendship with your classmates. I have been truly inspired by some of my “colleagues”
It’s is of immense value in building both your confidence and physical ability. Of course you will be treated as an “OAP” until all concerned are assured of your capability, but once that is measured then you begin a hopefully, ever upward path.
I do also appreciate that there is a period of coming to terms with what the HA means, but I truly believe that being positive and taking control of the elements that you can control is the best first step you can take. Don’t be hard on yourself, it takes time to come to terms with what has happened but you will get there.
I found rehab was a help to me as talking to folk about how they where doing took my mind away from how I was feeling and getting into a routine of exercise and getting advice when needed from the rehab team was good but everyone's different I think doing what your body is telling you stands you in good stead .
Hi Lyn, you seem to have hit a nit of a dip. I avoided a heart attack by going to the GP as I thought I had a chest infection. You can still enjoy a glass of red.
Hi Lin
I'm sorry but I had to laugh at your post. I know exactly where you are coming from with the red wine. It really sucks that everything good is bad. It sounds like you're fed up with all the bad. After my Bypass, I've done my utmost to find something to keep the boredom away. It's lucky that I enjoy swimming and running as that is my doing "good" bit so that I can swig a bit of red on the weekends. I wont preach to you about moderation, blah blah but I do find keeping occuppied staves off the cravings. Each to their own I guess,
Good luck
Phil
I can see where your coming from especially being fed up with talking about it sometimes I think is it better to think what the hell and party or is it better to ??? I feel I've lost my sparkle 😕
Hi Lin .... it's natural and normal to feel down ... feel like the " heart issue" consumes your world and it's what everyone wants to talk about, and you start to feel it's what is defining you. When you just want to move on and live life!
So firstly you are only 6 weeks post having that horrible shock so be kind to yourself and accept the differing emotions as they arise.
I tho k it's good that you are feeling "fed up" about talking about your heart. That's a sign that you want to move on from it... and your exercise level is fab too. So well done you.
One thing I used to do when meeting up with friends or if they were popping by would say to them.. you can come in but we don't mention the H word. And I would say I wanted to hear THEIR news. People don't want to tell you their news as they think you won't want to know. So give them that permission... and even say " god tell me something funny.. I need a laugh"
It is good to have things to do/plan whether that's reading a good book... going out on social events. Look up Meet up groups in your area... a great way of socialising... and you don't have to mention your heart issues... then people accept you as you.
I did stop drinking... wasn't easy but I love now never having a hang over and I know it's better for my heart and it got easier very quickly. That's my lifestyle choice I am not judging at all... but I think the secret to moving on is finding stuff to do that focuses on who you are... and not your heart.
All the very best
Karen
From my experience, drinking 3 glasses of JD as a nightcap and then having to go without was tough the first few weeks after discharge.
What worked for me was a two week cultural vacation and avoiding the beach party atmosphere. I made new friebds even. I was warned that it’s inevitable to get depressed whatever the cause of the heart attack- and believe me, I had a major one with 16 shocks, 10 CPRs before a stent could be inserted. Everyone told me to be thankful I had a strong heart to take such pounding, but it didn’t make the depression any less.
What helped was to get out of my daily routine, a short vacation followed by less partying ( I live in Bahrain where heavy drinking is the norm). 6 months later, I can attend a function or a party and not be bothered by all the drunks around me and enjoy the evening just as much as they do.
It’s the culture, you know, you can’t have fun without drinking.
But you can change your outlook and if need be, go see a psychologist and talk through your worries. But staying at home moping won’t cure your depression, only make it wore.
Much love and god bless
Hi Lin, its a long S**T road ahead but you will get through it ! even though it takes longer than you think or hope. l too decided l was sick of talking about my heart and had to stop having a continuous "PITY PARTY" on my own when l moped about most of the day. l can relate to people who treat you like a OAP, "How are you doing DEAR?" springs to mind. l often remind them that l am now back on my Husbands motorbike (true) and have great fun shocking these people by saying things like "lm fine thanks but l must go, lm having a brazillian bikini wax at 2 0`clock, and when their jaws drop, finish with " lts got to be done when you wear thongs all the time" Also look on youtube at famous film stars without makeup (who let the dogs out!!!) Hopefully it will cheer you up and l hope l have. Take care, Sue.
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