Moving On Post Heart Attack...

[Emilee83]

How do you all move on ? This week I have been discharged by my cardiologist following my MI in January. I had a 90% blockage in my LAD and had a stent fitted. I was prescribed Ticagrelor, Bisoprolol, Lansoprazole, Aspirin,Ramipril and Atorvostatin.

I am now in the final stage of Cardiac Rehab (subsidized gym membership) and following an echo cardiogram in April have been told my heart is "back to normal" and I can stop Ticagrelor in January.

However I am still suffering with sporadic pains (chest, arm, back, you name it) and that odd lump in throat feeling some days. I can go, at times, weeks with nothing at all and then its almost like a subconscious niggle that sets me off.

I just want to feel normal again, if anyone is actually normal that is... I'm 35 but some days all I can think about is doom and gloom. I have 2 young boys, an amazing husband and great family and friends who support me but I sometimes want to give myself a massive foot up the arse and tell myself to stop being silly..

So if anyone has any tips on how i can move on and stop dwelling, they will be gratefully received.

Might I add I have done Headspace and Healthy Minds services and listen to nice calming music in the evenings as part of my "chill" process

Thanks in advance xxx

[Sususulio]

Oh Emilee firstly good news in that your heart has recovered and you’ve been discharged from cardiologist care. I’m a lot older than you and my episode (no HA but 99% blocked LAD) has caused me huge anxiety - I recognise everything you say! We all will because to an extent the reassurance you need isn’t on this forum many of us are still trying to make sense of things ourselves.

At my cardiac rehab I have just met a lady who had a massive HA 23 years ago she has 2 stents that were at that time a relatively new procedure. The HA damaged her heart and she has recently had a valve repaired - she’s 70 now. The thing is her stents are still there and working fine she has led an active, happy life and meeting her made me feel so much more confident. Those type of stories are here but take more finding, most people are out there and living life. I know words are easy but you sound to have a very supportive network and a young family who deserve a healthy, happy mum. Time will help - everyone tells me that, the meds might still be contributing to a low mood? I know it’s a stress but look back and celebrate how far you’ve come and improved. Small steps and you’ll get there xxx

[Emilee83 in reply to Sususulio]

Thank you Susie I still feel like a burden at times but I'm trying to maintain positivity ... It's horrible how our brains keep tricking us into thinking a repeat is imminent... The story you have shared has made me feel more positive... thank you for sharing xxxxx

[Shoshov in reply to Sususulio]

Thanks for that story Suzie. We all need to hear of good outcome stories. You’ll get there emilee. I’m 9 months post HA and 2 stents. Iv generally been lucky as I’m only on aspirin and statin (which I was already on before) so don’t have the horrible blues that most people get with heart meds. Iv not got to the end of hospital rehab yet as I suffer from fainting. So I’m barred at the moment lol. Getting a loop recorder fitted next week so hoping they’ll find out what’s causing it. I’m still under cardiologist although it’s the rehab nurse that’s responsible for most of treatment Iv received. Those cardiologists are very elusive in the uk. What I can say keeping it positive is that if your heart is well again and you’ve been discharged I would take that as a big step forward. Get out there girl and LIVE. We’ve been given a second chance. We have to grab it, be thankful and do everything we can to try prevent more trouble in the future. You can do this girl❤️shiona

[Emilee83 in reply to Shoshov]

Thanks so much Shiona I hope you get sorted soon .... Although I have no clue what a loop recorder is ? I love this forum for people insights and stories and most of all uplifting support... thank you so much for your story too Emma xxxxx

[Shoshov in reply to Emilee83]

It’s a great site and wonderful people to keep us going. A loop recorder is implanted into the chest and records heart activity 24/7. Like a holter monitor that you wear for a period of time only it’s a long term recorder as episodes don’t always show when the monitors on. A more heavy duty monitor 😂

[Emilee83 in reply to Shoshov]

Ah right I understand now.... I hope they get it figured out soon for you ... Take care xxxxx

[Shoshov in reply to Emilee83]

Me too. Keep positive. Meant to ask you how your finding your fitness since your near completing rehab x

[Emilee83 in reply to Shoshov]

I don't feel like I've lost weight but I feel a bit stronger and can do the school run in around 30 mins now rather than 45/50 prior to my heart attack so I'm getting there .... I used to be a couch potato so anything is an improvement to me 😊 xxxxx

[Shoshov in reply to Emilee83]

That’s good to hear. Any improvement is good in my book. Take care x

[Emilee83 in reply to Shoshov]

You too and speak soon xxxxx

[Jasppip]

It is hard to move on and get back to a normal life but as times gone on I'm much more my old self I go to a heart exercise class once a week and try to keep active but still once in a while I will think back to this time last year and be upset that my life has changed so much in that short amount of time but lots of people on this forum have a lot worse things

[Prada47 in reply to Jasppip]

I am almost 40 years on from a Heart Attack. I have had a pretty decent life, now retired Moved down to Dorset in the last 18 months. OK since my Heart Attack I have had By pass Surgery and last year 2 stents put into my LAD. I have had a totally Blocked RCA for a long time now ( can't be fixed ). Currently I have Heart Failure, Moderate now but been Severe. I have an aim of seeing my Grandchildren go to Uni and then Married so that's another 10 years at least.

OK can't guarantee it as I may die of something else before then, but believe that Medication with a decent Cardiologist/GP I stand a good chance of my Heart holding out until then.

Best Wishes

[Emilee83 in reply to Prada47]

You're immensely brave and I hope we have a little chat in 10 years time Best wishes and take care xxxxx

[Emilee83 in reply to Jasppip]

I agree Jasppip, I feel a bit silly now xxxxx

[Jasppip in reply to Emilee83]

Don't feel silly we have every right to feel upset at what has happened to us especially as you are so young I'm 51 and thought that was young for a HA

[Emilee83 in reply to Jasppip]

Thank you xxxxx

[Kristicats]

Hi Emilee I had the same thing 4 years ago completely out of the blue. I was down for some time worrying it was going to happen again. I was admitted to a&e a few times over the months following my HA due to chest pains that came to nothing. I did dwell on every pain I think. I have been ok and it took a long time to realise how common it is for people reasonably fit and by no means old to have such a cardiac episode. As far as I’m concerned now I have as much chance of it happening again as anyone else. Try to keep active and keep an eye on my weight though . I’m still on aspirin lansoprazole, ramipril bisoprolol But my joints did not like the atorvastatin ( or any statin) I think night times in the beginning was when I paid a lot of attention to every pain. Hope you feel much more settled soon and please look after yourself. Hope you enjoyed rehab. If you are worried about anything though do not hesitate to see your doctor.Cx

[Emilee83 in reply to Kristicats]

Thanks so much Chris ... We seem to be "Meds Twins" ha ha (with the exception of statins) and night time seems to be the worse for me too

Your post has really helped me today as with everyone who comments on this forum..

Rehab is tolerable and if it keeps me from having another HA then I'm sticking with it

Take care xxxxx

[Kristicats in reply to Emilee83]

The problem is to stay motivated once the rehab has finished 🤔😂

[Emilee83 in reply to Kristicats]

That's the bit I'm worried about lol xxx

[Rbrealey in reply to Emilee83]

Hi Emilee, I too recognise all that you are saying. The anxiety has been terrible for me but this is how I deal with it. When I exercise the twinges and niggles go away so I KNOW it’s not my heart. So when I feel the depression demon coming on or chest niggles I get outside. I live by a park with a fishing lake and I plug some music in and then I do some brisk walking round the lake stopping every couple of minutes to do the Rehab exercises. Nothing too strenuous but a good 45 minutes of low impact aerobics....I’m sure the fisherman think I’m bonkers but there is something about exercising outside with nature that makes me feel good to be alive. I got myself a Fitbit to track steps and heart rate and I try and do the circuit every day...even in the rain sometimes. It keeps my head straight and stops me dwelling on what has happened.

I still get anxiety episodes that cause tension that fuels the fear which causes chest pains, it’s a vicious circle but it’s getting less and less. I’m 4 months post heart attack and 2 stents fitted.

Keep at it, reading other peoples experiences gives me hope that I will move past this. Rachael x

[Kimberly07]

Oh emilee I just read your post and I thought I was reading about myself I have exactly all those same things going in as you. That lump in my throat I convinced myself it was something nasty sometimes it’s so big I feel like I’m going to choke or stop breathing. I had 99% blockage now have stent., I also on all the same meds as you except I take one extra which is omeprazole which I have to take half hr before food and before I take the aspirin. I sometimes feel I’m going to have another heart attack as I feel pain in my chest arm back etc tonight I’m feeling nothing but yesterday I had every pain going and doom and gloom I used to be so confident and independent but it’s all gone, I cry for hrs some days at night I lay in bed just thinking about heart attack and scare myself. As I live alone I called 111 the other night they were so lovely and helped to calm me down. My heart attack was 28 September I’ve had my echocardiogram and they were surprised that my heart look healthy considering I also went into cardiac arrest on the way to hospital. My cardiac nurse said what I feel is normal and could take up to a yr to regain my confidence etc. It’s so hard but just wanted to let you know your not alone I share the same symptoms as you do. We have to believe in ourselves that things will get better but sometimes it’s easier said than done x

[Emilee83 in reply to Kimberly07]

Its difficult some days isnt it but there's always someone around on here to offer a listening ear I know things will get better and I think we just need to get in that mindset ... Take care xxxxx

[Kristicats in reply to Kimberly07]

Its the shock of this happening. I was 56 and very fit/ slim etc . I got very down at first and lost all confidence in myself and felt ‘old’ it took nearly a year to get back to normal and start living as myself again, went back to work a couple of days a week to keep social and moving and take my mind off it. That really helped.

[Picass]

I had a heart attack in September and I am still struggling with medication fitness and the stress of it all.i wonder when I will ever feel normal again and hope there is light at the end of the tunnel

[Emilee83 in reply to Picass]

I thinik there is light at the end of the tunnel... There has to be becuase we are fortunate to still be here .... I feel your pain and worries but we are so lucky ... Be strong xxxxx

[TinaC1]

Hi Emilee I had a heart attack 6 weeks ago and have stent right coronary artery was blocked. The day before we had come back from a lovely holiday in Majorca and I was glad it happened here. It has scared me I'm 56 and suffered with anxiety and other medical problems and am finding this difficult to deal with as well. But as everyone is saying I feel like I have a second chance and need to make the most of my life but my anxiety is stopping that at the moment. I have just started rehab and think this will give me confidence. It's good to feel I am not alone I hope you feel better soon

[Emilee83]

That is really lucky and I suppose another holiday might help recovery ?

Rehab makes me feel better and strangely any chest pains go whilst im exercising ha ha ... Who knew it was good for you... I'll be honest I'd still much prefer a gin than the gym Look after yourself xxxxx

[David-68]

Hi, I had 2 heart attacks in May 2017. Three angiograms later and 4 stents, and a similar combination of medicine. I have had the statins changed 4 times now, as they could be the only thing that cause the strange chest pains. I had 33% Ejection Fraction last year and managed to get it to 40% this year but the pains you describe are very similar. My Cardiac consultant asked me to stop taking the stains for two weeks to see. I had two clear weeks and as soon as I started again, the following day, back they came. I have been referred to a lipid specialist as a few people are completely 'Statin intolerant'.

When I get the pains, i go up and down the stairs or go for a long walk uphill,nothing ever happens and the pains can't be anything to worry about!

I was 48 when this happened.

David

[Emilee83 in reply to David-68]

Thank you for this insight David ... My mum warned me that statins can have this effect but to try and stick with it as they are beneficial.... I'm coming off ticagrelor in January and they too can add to these niggly pains... Its good that they identified this for you and I hope you now have something that works for you Take care xxxxx

[Sususulio]

It’s a strange world I think - I am prescribed ramipril and the week after the dose was titrated up (doubled) I got some chest discomfort.

I ended up at hosp and was checked out - OK and then you start trying to make sense of it..... this is from the NICE guidelines

bnf.nice.org.uk/drug/ramipr...

I asked the dr if rampipril could be linked she said absolutely not but why does it make reference in these guidelines which are around all ACE medicines. That’s before you look at statins, beta blockers etc

I just try and be informed enough to be able to advocate for myself but not sure with any success.

X

[Emilee83 in reply to Sususulio]

Thank you for your reply... Strange to think these medicines can cause pains similar to what happened to need them in the first place... Seems like a cruel irony doesn't it ... Hope you are ok now though .... Take care xxxxx

[jamin100]

So . . I’m 35 and had a stent fitted last year due to a 100% blockage in my LAD (due to fitness my heart made its own natural bypass that just prevented me from having a HA)

Anyway, I’m Like you I have 3 young children who I intend to watch grow up, get married and have kids etc....

The way I see it, we’re lucky this was found now. We’re lucky it wasn’t more serious, we’re lucky it was diagnosed and fixed and we’re lucky to still be here.

We’re also lucky that we now know we have this condition and can take steps and make choices is daily life that will ensure we’re still here in 40/50 years time..

That’s how I deal with the very few days that I get when I think urgh “why me” (fit, non drinker, non smoker, low cholesterol btw) in fact, a year on from my surgery and I don’t get those down days anymore ...

Just enjoy life, enjoy your children and that your lucky stars your still here.. many people are not so lucky each day