Heart Attack

[jpmcl1969]

March 19th 2019 I had a Non Stemi heart attack 2 stents. I felt amazing after surgery like I could breath, so at this point I`d been one week into stopped smoking 40 plus a day. Fast forward 2 months still not smoking, lost 2 stone and back to work full time and hit a brick wall. crying, sad, emotional, anxious, depressed have no motivation for anything and feel quite agoraphobic. I just wanted to curl up in bed and pull the duvet up. GP had me on max Sertraline and 2mg Diazepam 3 x daily if required. I've just handed my 2nd 4 week line into work when my friend took me to this website. Instantly started feeling better knowing I wasn't as alone as I thought I was. Thank you people for sharing your experiences.

[jpmcl1969]

Thanks for replying mate

[FernCottage]

Hi.

I had an NSTEMI and stenting at the beginning of February 2019. I think that what you are feeling is quite normal and I have experienced all of these things. I only went back to work 3 weeks ago on a phased return and have found it difficult as I still feel anxious and am very tired. Did you have cardiac rehab - this is what helped to give me back more confidence and I am also seeing a counsellor ( free on the NHS ) - this has also helped me. I also felt agoraphobic and scared to go out on my own.

I think that you need to give yourself some time and you will see that the majority of people on here have felt the same. It comes as a huge shock and the emotional effect can be worse than any of the physical effects. You have made some drastic lifestyle changes so feel proud of yourself for that. It does get better - I couldn't have imagined going back to work 3 months ago.

Take care of yourself and do what feels best for you.

[jpmcl1969 in reply to FernCottage]

Thank you very much for replying FernCottage I definitely went back to work too soon as I missed my first cardio rehab clinic I contacted them the following day explaining and could I be rereferred I haven't heard from them since but I reconnected with them again yesterday after visiting this page.

[FernCottage in reply to jpmcl1969]

That's great. It really helped me to feel confident in what I was capable of and generally less scared. It was also really good to meet other people in the same boat and realise that I was not on my own.

[Geoff51 Heart Star]

Nearly 10 years on from my heart attack and two stents, it is always in the back of your mind, but i am now retired and at 67 and enjoying life. It is not the end of your life its just the beginning of a new stage of your life. I took the full 12 weeks my company paid sick pay for and went back to my job as a baker full time, i was a little slower than before but following Cardiac Rehab and being passed fit for active duty by the company M.O. I completed another 6 years at work with no ill affect. Yes you will feel a little odd but dont let it get to you, take it one step at a time, dont rush and make the minor adjustments to your lifestyle that you feel neccesary, get cardiac Rehab and above all dont worry.

[jpmcl1969 in reply to Geoff51]

Thanks for replying Geoff51 amazing 10 years on and you`re still active on this forum says a lot about the support I`ve felt since posting. People taking the time to respond to me is quite humbling I`ve reengaged with cardio Nurse who has sent a rereferral to the hospital for rehab won`t miss this next appointment thanks again mate.

[Geoff51 Heart Star in reply to jpmcl1969]

Actually I was a pin up boy for the BHF, My story was used in one of the Heart matters magazines and then in one of the great booklets that they produce. They sent a professional photographer to my house and took hundreds of photos one of which is my icon. If you want to see my story its in booklet called " Returning to work after a Heart attack" I recommend their free booklets as they can be very helpful. Regards Geoff