Hello I’m a heart attack survivor from May 2019. I woke up at 430 am feeling as though I had slept on my arm and felt unwell. Nothing major just felt yuk. I tossed and turned not getting comfortable and got up to go to the bathroom and was sick. (Thought it was a dodgy egg from dinner) couldn’t sleep. Had some chest tightness and as an asthmatic nothing as tight as an asthma attack. My inhaler didn’t relieve the tightness. But it did ease. Around 830am I called my gp surgery to get an urgent asthma nurse appointment as my inhaler wasn’t relieving my symptoms. The receptionist asked me if I had any further symptoms and when I mentioned my arm she suggested I got myself to a and e. Not feeling well enough to drive I phoned for a taxi but as it was school time they quoted about an hour. Plan B was asking one of my neighbours to drive me to our general hospital in Colchester. On arrival it was packed with sick people. They whisked me straight in and rigged me up to an ecg. I was having a heart attack and apparently this had been going on since 430. Onto a wheely chair and into resus rigged up to another ecg, introduced to lots of staff and had gtn and aspirin. The consultant arrived and was talking to me while liaising with our local cardiothoracic centre in Basildon. They performed an echocardiogram which showed the blocked artery. The decision was made that I would be transported. My sweet neighbour had hovered while I was being treated-at this stage she was the only one who knew what was happening (work thought I had a chest infection or asthma problem). Loaded onto an ambulance and blue lighted to our local ctc at Basildon. I made the decision to let my family know once the procedure had been carried out. All done in theatre and up on a ward at 2pm! As my phone didn’t work I had to use the system over the bed you have in hospital - my daughters didn’t recognise the number so didn’t answer. Called work and then my soon to be son in law. He told the girls and they all came within an hour or so. They told my husband who is working away and my parents who were on holiday. Tears and hugs all round. Lots of medication. The bisoproprol initially upset my system with visual disturbances, dizziness and asthmatic tightness to the chest. I’ve reintroduced it, having discussed with my gp, taking it at night to no further problems. Discharged after 5 days and further echocardiogram which shows 40% output.
Have seen the cardiac nurse in the last week who made a lot of sense, noticed my cough - changed the ramipril! I start my rehab next week with a 6 minute walking test. Had to confess to her I had been walking for more than that already to get my tablets from the pharmacy. Am looking forward to the rehab and starting to normalise my life I do feel tired and need to rest, my job as a primary teacher will have to take a back seat for now as I recover. I’ve learned to nap and have used the “calm” app on my phone to ensure I learn how to relax and use my mindfulness to support my recovery
It’s a long process which now it’s started will no doubt snowball!
Best wishes to all, my dip into this forum has been so supportive already and I’m only 5 weeks post HA.
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Brokenheart19
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Awww good for you. I had mine 630 on a Sunday morning in Jan 18 coming back from my 3 mile walk for the newspaper... I live in rural Scotland. You cannot beat the NHS in a crisis, I was in the Cath lab within the hour (I still can't figure out how they got to me and did that trip in that time) stented with 3 to the RCA and having tea and toast by 10am. Luckily, a few minor side effects of meds has been it for me... otherwise all good. Hopefully you will get a lot out of rehab and good luck.
Thank you. I only asked because as a teacher thought there may be an opportunity for early retirement, or go down to part time working. That way you do get the chance to rest and if you feel the need then join something like your local U3A.
Thank you so much for your post. I am so pleased you are ok and doing well. I have a 80% blocked artery which is treated with medication . I always worry that one day / night I will have a heart attack out of the blue. I have read women have different symptoms so hard to know if heart attack or not. I had a slight ache in my right bottom jaw for a short while last evening nothing terrible not constant but put me on alert but then I do have a tooth on that side that may have caused it. If I didn't know about the blockage I wouldn't have been worried but I'm aware of every little ache now. Well enough about me just want to wish you well going forward and thank you again xx
Hi , recent same journey to Basildon . My main arteries were clear though. Same age ish. Give or take. My diagnosis was Dilated cardiomyopathy. I am on a real steep learning curve. Thought my old life was hectic now just getting in to the car to go anywhere is a riot.
At the omg my lifes a mess stage. Didnt see that one coming.... bit.
Hi Colin I cannot imagine going through this at a time of Covid.
I’d initially slowed down, recovered and now back at the gym, walking as often as I can now back to a fair pace after an echo showed my heart failure had improved to 47% (from 40 😁)
My advice would be listen to your body if you need a rest have one. Likewise a nap! The rehab is good and the cardiac nurses a lifeline to get information and advice even after you have been discharged. If you’re under the care of a consultant they can tap into the system and get assistance for you. Go with questions they are used to it.
It does get easier you take your gtn everywhere for about the first six months then it stays in your coat pocket if you’re going out! You feel like a junkie when you walk out of the pharmacy with your bag of “goodies” get a pill organiser it makes life easier.
Good luck, the forum is a great place to speak to others who have been on a similar journey as often our nearest and dearest have no idea how to ask how we are really feeling and we worry that we will freak them out!
Wow just made my day. Its like your following me my god. So surreal... Thank you for giving me hope . Gtn at the ready. for sure. Slowly slowly.... the mind wants to go go go. But the body says no no no..This forum definately works for people.
Especially the night owls. Get some rest , doctors orders.
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