worried?

All

as you may or may not know I had a HA while doing the Christmas present run to relatives in Cornwall. Had urgent angioplasty, stents and a 5 day stay in hospital getting home to Hampshire Christmas eve.

The issue is that I have been invited to a family get together down there in the next few weeks. Have tried several times to book accomodation but back out at the last minute as I am, quite frankly, petrified of going down to Cornwall again just in case.

Am I being stupid and irrational? Has anyone else experienced the same feelings and cancelled stuff because of it ?

[mandm65]

Welcome to the forum Fredbeare.

I can certainly understand what you are going through. I would strongly suggest that you remain positive and try not to let any negativity in your mind. There are many inspiring stories out here, hope link below would put you at ease and perhaps remove that fear factor.

healthunlocked.com/bhf/post...

As it has been over six month since your procedure so assume that you have gone through the rehab classes? If you have not, then I would recommend that you consider joining rehab classes.

I wish you all the best.

[Hidden in reply to mandm65]

HI yes been through rehab and now at level four gym three times a week, feeling fitter than since early 30s (several decades ago). Healthy diet as well. Normally feel ok mentally, just this milestone has hit me rather hard

Thank you so much for your words and thoughts

[Zena166]

Hi Fred. Not stupid or irrational. I think patients and professionals totally underestimate the impact a cardiac event has on the psychological and emotional aspects of individuals. I too was on holiday in this country when I had my heart attack and the area I was didn’t treat me at all well. (I insisted on getting home) So I was really stuck with that fear and the poor treatment that I had. So I took up the offer of counselling which has helped enormously to cope with the stress and distress (lots of crying and talking and more crying as well as coping strategies and yes more crying!) I really felt I couldn’t travel away from home but I have been on several journeys now and feel much better. I am a year on and have only recently started doing journeys. So maybe have a chat with your GP to make an appointment with a counsellor. As Mandm has said try and stay positive and if you haven’t already then attend rehab. However if it’s too stressful then maybe you have to balance your feelings of not wanting to go with do you need to go. Maybe meet half way with family. Can you get someone to travel with you. As an example I have a terrible phobia of lifts really on hands and knees screaming let me out of here type phobia!! So I decided a long time ago never to get in a lift again as it causes me too much stress and distress. So I work around it and always use the stairs ask for rooms in hotels no higher than 3rd floor get meetings shifted to lower floors and ask people to meet me somewhere I am comfortable with. I am happy with these adjustments and I have adapted my life accordingly. But do think about seeking counselling it may help with your confidence.

Take care and stay strong. I hope all works out for you. Zena

[Sueithy in reply to Zena166]

I know how you feel go and enjoy yourself within your limits. I was diagnosed with heart failure4 months ago. Worried about every thing but I went to Tenerife in July with family. It was a bit stressful but at times when relaxing I did at times forget I was not well. So take a chance live your life to the full mandm65.

[barniecroft]

Understand this feeling. Ive encountered this in my mind too. Look at it like this. If you had a heart attack say 15miles away from were you live you could end up in a different region for healthcare - which may have the same facilities as say in Cornwall. You can't live next to a hospital just to make yourself feel better. Most areas have access to a major heart unit within an hour (including Cornwall - even if by air ambulance). Hope this helps

[Hidden]

thanks to you all for your sage advice. I know the facilities in Cornwall are good and the Heart team there saved me, I literally owe my life to them, its just a tough milestone to get through and I will.

[Twobells]

I had my HA in Port Issac last year, came all the way back home to Oxfordshire. Silly yes, stupid no as did not feel any pain just felt very unwell. So if something did happen the air ambulance is usually dispatched with HA's go and have a goodtime