When will I be able to return to work?

[Hangus]

I had a heart attack last Monday and have 3 stents fitted, how long am I likely to be off work? I am generally fit and healthy apart from the obvious which has just happened.

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

Hello and welcome to the forum! Unfortunately the question you have asked is equivalent to "how long is a piece of string". Much depends on the severity of the HA, if there was damage to the heart and how much, did you arrest, how physical us your job, how stressful is your job, is a phased return possible, etc. It may also require a period to adjust to and get the medication balance right.

Another issue that may be relevant is that after a HA you are not allowed to drive for a minimum of one month and then not until you have the go ahead from your GP or cardiologist.

Have you been offered cardio rehab? You may well receive guidance from the specialist nurses there. Do seek guidance from the professionals. Also do not return to early as this can impact negatively on your future health. Your body has had a massive shock to the system and you need to recover. Good luck!

[Hangus in reply to MichaelJH]

Thanks Michael for the response, I haven’t been contacted by cardio rehab yet, I am in car sales so my worry is that I am not allowed to drive and the job is rather stressful. My wife thinks I should not return to selling and look for something else but the money is quite good.

[MichaelJH Heart Star in reply to Hangus]

Both my cardiologist and the rehab team said that whilst positive stress can be a good thing within reason negative stress is bad for us. You will have to make up your own mind on this over the coming weeks. Give the rehab people a couple of weeks (it is early days yet) and drop them a call if you have not heard by then.

[Andyman]

When I had mine I really wanted to get back to work as my problems started their and I thought if I got back it would complete the circle. But when I got back I couldn't see the purpose of work other than money and worked out that it was the stress that ripped me over the edge into having one. So I stopped working and retired. I was old enough to so that. Don't be in. Hurry to get back in fact sooner be in a hurry to get back to normal either. The old normal was what gave you the heart attack. You need a new normal and that may be a complete 180. But we are all different. You may find going back is just what you need. Time will tell. In the meantime relax and get fit again. Did they tell you why they think you had a heart attack?

[Hangus in reply to Andyman]

Thanks for the reply, they haven’t said why they think it happened maybe when I see them again they will shed some light on it. I think I’ll have to look at something else rather than being in sales but resting is leaving me feeling constantly at a loose end. I’ve done the usual stuff of cutting out salt, butter fat etc and eating more fruit but I suppose I’m being impatient because I hate leaving everything to my wife and not helping out

[Andyman in reply to Hangus]

Your wife will understand. Relax and get better. when you visit the Cardiologist make notes before you go and make sure you get all the answers you need. Write down to all the answers. It's amazing when you sit down in front of them all the question seem to disappear. Make a list.

[Hangus in reply to Andyman]

Thanks again, really appreciate the advice