Heart Conditions and Mental Health

[Prada47]

Just a comment

I have read a few posts in the last few days in which the posters clearly have Mental Health Issues, and obviously need help in overcoming these issues. I have been to 2 different Cardiac Rehabs, both NHS ( reason CABG & Stents 3 years later) + Heart Disease. When I arrived at both of these sessions I filled in a Question Sheet which if I remember correctly was Mental Health related ?? The Physio who took one session could refer patients to a Psychologist for Help and the Nurse at the other session could do the same. At the end of the Rehab period 8 Weeks you filled in the same Question Sheet to see if you had improved. Is this something others have experienced ? and did anyone offer help ?

Regards

[Calliope153]

I too did the questionnaire at the start and end of rehab. There was no suggestion of any additional support although the nurse did say I scored in the "depressed" category. Six or seven months later I was aware that, due to personal circumstances, life was indeed getting very depressing and told my GP I thought I was on my way to mental health issues. His response was there was nothing available on NHS so I could look around privately.... the questionnaire is very basic and it can only act as a pointer to professionals that a patient is beginning to fall into the "needs additional support" category. In rehab exercise class I see quite a few people who would benefit from some counseling - there;s one person who only leaves his house for the class once a week - and despite asking for help he;s been told there is nothing available. Like everything I suspect it depends on postcode what is available to an individual.

[Lezzers in reply to Calliope153]

That is shocking! Do you have a heart nurse you could talk to or your cardiologist, if you're under one. Mental health plays a big part in ongoing recovery.

[Calliope153 in reply to Lezzers]

No heart nurse and the only reason I saw the cardiologist fourteen months after HA and stent plus diagnosis of aneurysm and bicuspid valve was because i was desperate and went privately. Still waiting for NHS follow up after a year....... have four letters from cardiologist/registrar and GP all saying I need a scan but not holding my breath. One guy at rehab tells me he has been having annual scans for five years but now has been waiting for nearly two years for next "annual" scan. Too many people and too few resources.... I am fortunate I can see the funny side and am able to drone on to friends and relatives until I feel better but I fear for those who haven;t got a strong support network of friends.

Never having had anything to do with the medical world I have found it to be completely surreal - Catch 22 is all too common it seems in every area.

[Lezzers in reply to Calliope153]

I get what you're saying. My husband had a massive heart attack resulting in cardiac arrest & then was in & out of hospital particularly weekly for the next 6 months. The hospital kept banging on sbout getting him to the London chest clinic but that never happened. After 6 weeks in hospital he had an angiogram which showed a 100% blocked artery & surgery wasn't an option so was discharged & managed by medication. Despite asking GP numerous times for a referral to cardiologist he didn't get to see one for for 14 years & that only happened because he'd passed out on a plane & was poorly on holiday. Saw a locum on our return, got referred & was diagnosed with heart failure, GP admitted he would have put it all down to a faint!! He retired shortly after! Perhaps speaking to PAL at the hospital may see results!

[Calliope153 in reply to Lezzers]

14 years!!!!! good grief, now I don;t feel so badly about getting an appointment because my quality of life was being compromised and I felt dreadful all the time..... Without seeing the cardiologist I'd still be struggling with the side effects of medications which needed to be reduced instead of enjoying a relatively normal life.....

[rakeman]

I think most of us at some time during our rehab has suffered from Anxiety and Stress, It is a big shock to know we have heart problems, as some of us used to think we were infallible. It takes time.

[laura_dropstitch Heart Star]

I don't think I've ever had a heart-related appointment where I haven't been asked about my mental health. Consultant, heart nurse, GP, even the medical trial I take part in - they all always ask me as many questions about mental health as they do heart health. I'm so glad they do, as I'm sure the help I've had in dealing with psychological aspects has improved my health/prospects as much as all the physical interventions. I know I'm very lucky with the care I receive, but I'm quite shocked to read the comments from those who feel they've not been supported in terms of mental health. I'm not sure I could have coped without all the ongoing support I receive through the NHS. Such an important aspect of heart disease treatment, I think.

[jimmyq]

I remember the questionaires but felt so much better after the rehab that no counselling or similar were offered.