New heart attack sufferer

[IamaNanof8]

Hi, I am new to this group. I had a heart attack 8 days ago at the age of 61. How do you cope with the shock and begin to get back to normal. I have never been one for much exercise but have been offered a place on a cardiac rehab programme which I am waiting to start. I have also ordered a sitting bike exerciser. (Every little helps)

[Nathan53]

Hello - A good starting point may be to browse this forum. I find hearing about others experience helps me to realise I am not alone in how I feel. I recommend rehab. I was never one for formal exercise but rehab is so much more. It's an opportunity to meet others, learn about coronary heart disease from Specialist Physiology and to start exercising in a monitored environment. Groups usually consist of different age groups and abilities and exercise is targeted at an individual's ability. It's early days for you but once you get over the shock you can retain strength and get on with life. As with any illness work at not letting it define you. You are still the same person as before the heart attack and with care and lifestyle changes can lead a full life. All best and remember you can post again with specific questions or requests for advice.

[IamaNanof8]

Thank you for your advice. It does help knowing you are not on your own. I am sure I will get there in the end, but it is difficult to start with.

[Shoshov in reply to IamaNanof8]

Welcome to the group. Everyone feels over whelmed at the start. I’m 10 months post HA and am feeling great. Rehab is fabulous for regaining your confidence and for me introducing me to regular exercise. I too didn’t do too much exercise leading up to it. I got a treadmill when mine happened as we in the midst of the beast from the east and couldn’t get out. The best thing I ever bought. It’s literally been a godsend. My family think I’m nuts as it’s in my living room but I don’t care. Iv even got my Christmas tree beside it now. I can now walk about 12/15 km a day weather permitting which I certainly couldn’t do previously. So get on your bike and keep looking forward. Onwards and upwards buzz❤️shiona

[IamaNanof8 in reply to Shoshov]

Thank you for your reply. I think this forum is great. Giving me a lot of good advice and knowing I am not on my own is very reassuring.

[Jasppip]

It takes a while to get over the shock of having a HA I'm 51 and had mine in July I loved rehab and meeting people who understood what I'm going through I now go to a exercise group once a week for heart patients which is great. I'm back at work part time and feel much more like my old self but I still have days where I'm really sad it happened and would love to be able to turn back time but there are lots of people on this forum who have much worse than me so I try not to feel to sorry for myself😢

[Kristin1812 Heart Star]

It took me a long time to accept I wasn’t going back to ‘normal’.

As you say, it makes you just feel so sad. Its a real loss, so I look on it as kind of mourning a loss, and that does take time.

It took me quite a while, but then I kept having more heart ‘events’ and had to keep going through the sad bit, a few times.

The good news is you do get through it! Some people on here are very lucky or very skilled or both, and manage to move on very quickly. I didn’t. But I am now having a rather different life....I’ve discovered Zumba, and exercise lots with breathless 35 year olds (I’m 75], and i’m about to have an exhibition of my portraits!

We’re the lucky ones... life goes on......it’s a gift, and it might be v different to what you expected.

[Andyman]

I never got back to normal. It changed me. I tried really hard to be the old me but fundamentally I had changed. Stopped smoking and drinking changed my diet and eventually retired because I didn't understand why I was working other than getting money. Sound sad but its all been the best thing I ever did. Never been so fit. Running, walking, cycling, canoeing and gym. Mindfulness for the peace of mind. Diet change for healthy lifestyle, lost loads of weight. I don't want to be the old me. But deep down I am me. Just a modified me. A more happy me. More rounded me.

[isobelhannah18]

Hi,

I'm 8 weeks today post heart attack. I eat a Mediterranean diet, exercise 6 days a week, am a moderate drinker and I've never smoked. Although I'm 65 to say it was a massive shock is an understatement! It seems to be akin to going through the grieving process and I'm still mainly at the denial stage! One of the worst things for me ( and unexpected) has been my sky high anxiety. Every ache and pain has been a heart attack.This has now largely subsided but I feel as though my identity has changed-I'm not "me" anymore, which has been hard to cope with and I hope this will gradually change.

This forum has been fantastic. The level of support and information has helped me more than anything. As Nathan says browse through this forum. I've found an answer to everything so far. Cardiac rehab nurses have been great in my area and B.H.F have a helpline. I start cardiac rehab after Christmas and in the meantime I'm going to follow Shosov's example and get a treadmill.

[Stu888]

Exercise is a great start, especially Cardiac rehab courses where you can exercise under medical supervision to ease your anxiety. Apparently if you smoke then stopping is the single most beneficial thing that you can do. Also look at your diet and do some reading. I’m following the Mediterranean diet which apparently is good for you.

[Qualipop]

Same here, heart attack in August; totally out of the blue but not surprised as I used to be a 40 a day smoker even though my cholesterol was perfectly normal. They also found two other blockages so I was booked for another angiogram to check the state of those 3 months later. It was 2 weeks before anyone mentioned rehab. I was simply discharged with a letter for my GP that was so technical I didn't know what it was about. Rehab eventually rang and said, because I'm disabled, I wouldn't be able to do it so I was literally just dumped; no follow up, no check up, just back to GP. Lots of bad side effecst from tablets which GP wouldn't change without the cardio's advice but he wouldn't give it as I was discharged. IT drove me crazy until I went for the other angiogram and got questions answered. First and foremost stop smoking; then change diet to a Mediterranean type diet. British Heart Foundation website has lots of advice and recipes. Then take up the rehab and follow their advice. Don't try to go it alone and do too much; your heart needs to heal. If you are struggling mentally, contact your local Minds matters team for help. You can self refer. It is a huge shock and for a long time you wonder if every twinge is another one. Good luck.

[kc1953]

Cardiac rehab and regular exercise on a recumbent bike are good starts. I assume you are also n meds. Did you get a stent(s)? In any event the three keys are exercise, meds, and diet. Read up on heart healthy eating. Life will slowly get back to normal, but be prepared for a bit of a roller coaster ride. Visit this forum often, and BREATHE!

[Hometerry]

Hi I am a year in after a heart attack and four stents, it is a bit of a rocky

ride getting used to the meds.But I am still here resonably well so hopefully

things will continue.best wishes