Return to work

[fm178]

I had a heart attack on New Year’s Day and had two stents fitted 3 days later I feel well and have been signed off for 4 weeks.

Is this too soon to return to work

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

Hello and welcome to the forum! In all honesty nobody can answer a question like that as it is very early days yet. Much also depends on your job; is it physical, is it very stressful, etc. You should be referred for rehab and the nurses should be able to advise. Also speak to your GP. Please do not push it - you have but one life!

[fm178 in reply to MichaelJH]

Thank you I am waiting for my rehab appointment. I am really pleased I have joined this forum today as it had already made me feel more confident in myself knowing there are other people I can talk to

[jobe1968]

I took six weeks. Felt ok after two. Takes time for the heart to recover don’t rush return if you can afford it. Concentrate on yourself.

I work for myself was worried about losing a contract! However I think my haste was misplaced. Had things gone the other way during the HA I would have been gone!

Put yourself first work will understand if they are a decent employer

Good luck on your return to health

[fm178 in reply to jobe1968]

Thank you for your encouragement

[Artery0917]

I had a stent done sept207 and felt like nothing had happened the next morning. You should be fine in 4 weeks for sure but do take your time to allow your body to get used to medications. I went back after 4 weeks but afterwards thought myself it was too early. See how your body feels. Good luck

[Chappychap]

Do you have the option of returning on reduced hours? This would allow you to make a much better informed decision regarding if full time work is do-able.

[fm178 in reply to Chappychap]

Hi

Yes I do have the option and as you suggested I think that would be the best way for me

[Geoff51 Heart Star]

As the pinup boy for the BHF booklet about returning to work after a Heart Attack, first thing is to order this booklet from them. It contains expert advice as to what to do in this situation. I took 12 weeks off post MI as being a baker my job was quite physical and the fact that my employer only paid full sick pay for that length of time. I was 58 at the time and i managed to return to full time work after that time with no ill effects. At the end of the day the choice is yours but dont rush it if you can afford to wait a little longer then you will feel better for it. Above all take advantage of Cardiac Rehab when offered as it is a great help in helping you to get over your MI and how to prevent any further problems.

[Andyman]

Took me 6 months before I was allowed to return to work. My company insisted that I got a certificate of fitness from my doctors. My doctor would not do this unless the consultant said so. They communicated by letter so this took a long time as you can imagine. The thing was my job required me to be flying on long haul flights all the time. So really nobody wanted me doing this. When I did eventually get back to work I realised the job I used to love do much was not what I wanted anymore. In fact work was an alien concept to me. Spent the next 2 years arranging to retire which I did. Happy now. What I am saying is it would depend on your job and your recovery. We are each different and have different jobs so it's not really possible to say. Don't be in a hurry to return though