Hi Everyone

[Spendingtime]

Just wanted to say hi as new on here, just getting used to having a heart attack at 48 and reassessing whats important in life.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated and hope you are keeping well

[NathanBlau]

Hi

You are asking exactly the same questions I did 2.5 years ago. If you were not aware of a heart issue and this just "creeps up on you" then its a massive shock to your system and self image. In my opinion this is the biggest challenge we face.

I have to say that everyone experiences this differently so my experience may not be wholly supported by everyone else. On my first morning in hospital after a heart attack and 3 stents I read a pamphlet the nurses gave me and saw that maintaining a positive mental attitude has direct bearing on your recovery. This simplistic statement has effectively driven me since - I felt I owed i to my family to do this if nothing else!!

On a practical note, follow the advice on lifestyle changes, and I strongly recommend attendance at whatever cardiac rehabilitation classes are available to you. If this is not already in hand do ask as soon as you can. They are partly informational but the gym sessions incrementally rebuild your fitness and (maybe more importantly) build up your confidence in what you can do.

My own experience is that this is not necessarily the end of anything - you might need to re orientate yourself in some ways but with the right help and attitude you can do it. I went from having difficulties getting up the stairs or short walks to doing the BHF London to Brighton cycle rides for the last two years. I certainly could not have done that before my heart attack!!

Just take it step by step, dont rush it and you will get there. Please do message me if you want any detail about the rehab etc. Happy to help.

[NorthantsSteve]

Hi Spendingtime.

Great advice from NathanBlau. I’m similarly 2.5 years on from a HA and stent age 55. It does shake you up but this is a great forum for staying in touch and getting support. My position is that I was ill for a long time but didn’t know it (no symptoms, not overweight, eat well, no family history etc) and the HA was just the first time it was brought to my attention. I feel lucky that I’m still here, went to cardio rehab (really good) eat better, take the meds and exercise more and now feel really good. I’m also a lot more chilled out at work and generally. I also appreciate what’s important and what’s not. It’s a shame it took the HA to do that - but there you are. It’s really just the start of a new phase. Good luck.

[Sillyfroggy in reply to NorthantsSteve]

Hi Steve, just saw you’re Northants - were you in Kettering?

[NorthantsSteve in reply to Sillyfroggy]

Hi. No from Northampton but in hospital in MK and Oxford.

[Sillyfroggy in reply to NorthantsSteve]

Oh ok!

[Sillyfroggy]

Welcome to the Gin bar. Sorry to hear about your heart attack but you’re the other side of it now, and you’ve been given that second chance. Do everything the docs tell you, make the lifestyle changes (I found the defib being slapped on me has been a tremendous motivator and gives me real focus when the siren call of greedy (KFC) or lazy (just general laziness) creeps up.

Cardiac rehab is good for you to learn to trust your body again. Everyone’s lovely here, there’s a couple of flighty ones (yes, I’m looking at you Milkfairy and Lezzers) and MichaelJH tends to go a bit weird at weekends. Everyone else is lovely except me. I’m THE loveliest.

Hands over to the grown ups.

[Milkfairy Heart Star]

Hello

Welcome to the forum.

You've had some great advice from everyone already.

One day at a time and give yourself time to adapt to your new normal is sound advice.

Not sure whether I can endorse everything Sillyfroggy has said.

Sillyfroggy has reduced me to tears of laughter at times so I'd keep an eye on her👀

Though it is true MichaelJH has strange weekend habits.

Lezzers flighty never.....

Me flighty no....

🧚‍♀️

[Harbourside]

I was 44 years old when I suffered a heart attack and subsequent cardiac arrest (and stent implant) in January. It's definitely a life-changer! As the others have stated, cardio rehab is a great aid to recovery. (Following the standard course, I've continued cardio classes with a local heart support group. My classmates are a good 20+ years older than me but they are a fun, welcoming and friendly bunch and I look forward to each session). The 'early days' are difficult (both physically and mentally) but that stage does not last forever. You will get stronger. Good luck!