Concerns for my mum

[Shelbs]

Hi all, my mum was sent to a&e on Thursday by her GP as her calcium levels were really low, 24hrs later she had been diagnosed with a silent heart attack, then after a MRI we were told that up to 50% of her heart has been damaged. The doctors have said they will decide what to do at a meeting today but tablets have been suggested, I'm just really worried what this all means, will she still be able to live a normal life with the meds and looking after her health, I'm worried sick she is only 64.

[Calliope153]

Yes she will life a normal life although maybe she will find she gets tired more easily. I was 63 when I had my heart attack and the doctors meeting recommended medication as the way ahead. Tell her it takes a while to get used to eating healthily, taking the pills,mentally adjusting and doing the rehab but she will get there in the end. Sometimes it takes a while to get the medications at the right level. Like your mother I did not realise I was having a heart attack... however, this forum is great for support and information. There will be down days and anxiety (all par for the course) but stick with what she is told to do and you will be surprised at how good her quality of life will be. It's the diet and exercise that are the biggest challenges to start with - start small and build up exercise, and be sensible about adapting the diet. Very best wishes to you both.

[Shelbs in reply to Calliope153]

Thank you so much for your reply I really appreciate it. It has been such a shock and a scary time. Your reply has settled me a good bit thank you I've been worried sick from Friday and trying to put on a brace face for my mum, hopefully we find out later today what the doctors are deciding is the best way forward.

[Calliope153 in reply to Shelbs]

It's a terrifying time because your imagination works on every scenario it can and frightens the pants off you. My sister came to visit me the day after I was blue lighted and stented and promptly burst into tears - and there I was thinking I looked quite together and it did nothing for my morale...... on the other hand she was invaluable in getting things for me in hospital and doing the supermarket shop when I got out. You will need to find out about lifting weights. Tell your mum I conned my husband for nearly a year after I was able to use the vacuum cleaner again it really wasn;t a good idea for me to do housework.... ask and ask (and don;t hold back and take the questions written down ) the medical team to answer any questions you /your mother may have. I don;t know where you live and what sort of resources for cardiac rehab your area has but the best thing (and yes I still loathe it) is the rehab. tell your mum to grab it if it is offered. I keep being told how well I look now - I eat very little saturated fat and maintain a really sensible diet (use BHF site for recipes and advice) and try to lose weight. It's not easy but the benefits are worth it (my husband slides off twice a week for a meal with his carnivore friends in the pub - he;s lost a lot of weight because he eats with me). You will both get through this but it takes time and effort. Walking is the best exercise. Walk by time as a target (start with 5 minutes) not distance. And if you mum can;t walk and talk she is pushing herself too hard but being a little bit out of breath is ok. And take time for yourself - suggest a trip to somewhere that sells wonderfully smelly bath bombs and give yourself a long soak in the bath to recharge yourself. Take care.

[Shelbs in reply to Calliope153]

Thank you for all your advice the cardiac rehabilitation people came to introduce themselves at the hospital yesterday and give us info and contact details. Mum is going for her dye test tomorrow she is really nervous but at least now we are on track and things can start to move forward hopefully.☺️☺️