Rollercoaster

[Dexter6565]

Hi i was woken during the night on 5th December with uncomfortable sensation in my chest, after putting it off and trying Rennies for a few hours i called an ambulance. I was given an ECG at home which was clear so not understanding about blood tests and Tp levels i was simply relieved and said i didnt need to go to hospital. I went to work for the next couple of days and also attended my office Christmas Party. On Monday the 10th after noticing i still felt uncomfortable at times and also breathless i went to my GP. He told me to go straight to A and E , anyway blood tests there showed raised Troponin levels so i was immediately admitted to ACCU unit where i stayed for a week and had Echo done which came back clear. I was then sent for an angiogram fully expecting stents to be fitted only to be told that my arteries were crystal clear. They then tested my lungs in case of blood clots and they came back clear too and so i was discharged with a referral for an MRI appt with the feeling that it could me myocarditis . After having MRI and waiting 6 weeks for results my letter says Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation or Arythmia with the heart attack confirmed but due to embolic episode.

Last year i suffered a spontaneous liver bleed which they never found a reason for, i dont drink alcohol and it was clear three months later but i am very concerned as to how i can live in the future with my blood thinned when i have a history of a bleed . So far since i was discharged from hospital i am only on daily aspirin as the consultant was reluctant to leave me on all the other thinners i was given in hospital due to the history of the bleed last year.

I am now waiting an appointment to see another cardiologist

My worry is i didnt know i had AF , i just had the heart attack without warning.

Has anybody else had a similar experience?

I am 53 years old

[Saffron63]

Hi Dexter

I’ve had similar confusion although not the same outcome as yourself. I had a heart attack 1st February but did not go to A+E for 24 hours as I thought it was a baby case of acid reflux. My ECG was normal but a blood test was done as precaution. My troponin was raised and I was admitted to hospital, I was in utter shock. An angioplasty was performed and a first they found nothing but eventually I had 2 stents fitted. I’m on all the heart medications including aspirin at the top dose but have no risk factors. For me the medications are hard to get used to and now I have severe anxiety which I know is bad for my heart, I think from a combination of the realisation of what has happened to me but I believe side effects from the medicines. I think you are fortunate to just be on aspirin at present, I would not overly worry about the thinning aspect as this is a very mild thinner. Stuff can be done for AF that may actually cure it so that’s a positive and I’m sure that will be explored at your next appointment. I’m 55 and had no risk factors at all.

[Dexter6565 in reply to Saffron63]

Hi Saffron thank you for your response it is good to read other peoples experiences and to realise you are not the only one going through this. I feel the same as you as far as the anxiety and have bought a fitbit which has me checking my heart rate every five minutes so i dont think i will keep that up much longer as i doubt it helps. I do have other risk factors, i have high blood pressure and i need to lose a few stone so that needs to be my focus for now. I have an appintment next week so hopefully will know more about the future plan then.