In jan 2017 I had a HA and one stent fitted, previously I was really fit and active 52 year old female,running regularly, completed 3 peaks in 21 hours and regularly attended boot camp .. my HA came totally out of the blue & at first felt I coped well even going for a jog ( slowly after about 4 months) and got up snowdon after 16 weeks ..But as time has gone on I feel more and more scared that I will have another HA & it’s now starting to affect me ... it seems that I only have to have the slightest twinge of indigestion ( not even pain really) and I go into a panic... I have visited A&E about 6 times and deep in my mind I know I am ok ... I live on my own which I don’t think helps ... any advice welcome I feel like I am going nuts ... first thing I think of in the morning and last thing on my mind a night... anyone else had similar problems
Thank you
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Birdsong100
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I had a heart attack at the end of December 2018, and initially I felt very frightened about having another HA, as you say every little twinge had me thinking the worst was going to happen, and like you, I don't think living on you own helps at that point.
Once I started going to cardio rehab, I found that as I got better physically the fear of another event steadily faded.
Form you post you sound like you have recovered physically, but are having problems over having a HA and the fear of it returning. Have you spoken to your doctor about getting some sort of therapy, 18 months is a long time to be still struggling, please seek help.
I'm sure someone with first hand experience of counselling will add a comment on the subject that may be of help to you.
Hey, I know exactly where you are coming from. I am older than you but my heart attack and 2 stents came out of the blue. Being a personal trainer and 150 mile a week cyclist, I was shocked.
Like you I get the fear creeping in at any suggestion of chest pain, I think here we go again.
I also live alone and for me evenings are the worst but I have taken up meditation and it has helped. I think when we are alone we tend to dwell on the negative and not the distance we have come since our events.
Try to get out in nature and get back to what you enjoy.
You are much stronger than you realise and things will get easier over time
Hi Birdsong 100, I'm so sorry to hear you are struggling. I have a different heart issue to yours, but I had a very scary episode about 8 weeks ago and it has left me shaken. My husband and yesterday my best friend commented that I haven't "bounced back" this time. It's time for some counseling for me, and I suspect it may be for you too. I've been resisting it, thinking I just need to "get over it" etc, but I'm not. And by the sounds of it, nor are you. I hope you can find some help that will make you feel better and trust your body again. Good luck x
Not sure if this helps but I did feel like that for a long period after my HA/CA and its called anxiety, still not back to myself after 3 + years but I am getting better, for me its getting the confidence back that I feel has been lost and I hope that as time goes I will find my level and I trust that will be for you, its a slowly slowly goal that you achieve but in time, like you was very active for an oldie and never expected this, still we are still here unlike some so we make the best of it, good luck.
You need to ask your GP for some Counselling. We all feel depressed and worry about the slightest twinge but slowly we come to terms with it. Like you I struggled and in the end had to get help. Beat thing I ever did. Just talked it all out. Go ask your GP. There's no stigma to it.
Hi really sorry to hear you are still scared. It’s only been four weeks since my heart attack and I am really nervous. Currently back in hospital because I’ve been having pain especially at night. I just hope they find the cause and can fix it. I might have to have another angiogram- should find out later. I wonder if being on your own is contributing to your fears? Lots of people have suggested to me that having a dog really helps. I lost my little fella last year and miss his love as well as taking him out for walks where everyone would stop and talk to me . Stroking a pet is very therapeutic and I’ve know dogs who can detect things like heart attack’s or epilepsy a minute before the event happens! Gives time to grab the phone. I wish you well.
I had my HA 6 months ago and would hate to be living on my own, so maybe that is a place to start for you?
Ask yourself why you had this heart attack, I was surprised at mine, a non smoker, ate reasonably well, but then I looked a little deeper and now I think it was down to stress and a slight lack of regular exercise.
Maybe you have pushed too hard in the past and you are not 25 you are 52 and all the things you did wrong in the past have left a scar and contibuted to your condition.
Once you come to terms with the fact you survived a life threatening event, but are now in a new chapter, your head may start to adapt. Find a new path in life.
For me this new chapter required change, diet and lifestyle and working out how I can get another 20 years, reasonably trouble free..
I "try" to cut every aspect of stress out of every part of my life, I failed to do this just last night and paid the price with a brain strain......then cured it as best I could.
I now walk every single day 2-4km and do some indoor training too, not enough, but it's a start. To get anywhere, first you have to start.
Oh and twinges, they come with the territory, rely on you good test results and convince yourself...chew gum, as some are stomach related.
Ok Birdsong you need to feel in control again I think much like myself perhaps
So I have an Apple Watch that links into my phone
A blood pressure monitor
And a kardaEcg reader that fits onto the back of your phone then give these at the hospital for their testing in out patients you can buy online and can take Ecgs all of which my medical support are aware of
Maybe get yourself a contact buddy both while your at home and for your exercise
All of the above could help it does me I had a h a and one stent fitted in March this year
In our rehab group of 12 most were extremely fit before their event this was a shock to me too
Hi Birdsong100, I'm 55 yrs old and trained in Karate for 30 years. I've been no Angel, but been at the higher end of fitness. Had an Acute Stemi in Feb 19 whilst out surfing and now have severe LV impairment and have just had an ICD fitted. I've been in hospital 3 or 4 times with chest pains, palpitations etc but whilst my Troponin levels have been elevated, my ecg's have been stable. Ive felt like crap at times, but it's taken 7 months to get my meds optimised and for the last 3 weeks I've felt good. The key to reducing my uncertainty/stress levels has been understanding what are routine symptoms I can just keep an eye on and what symptoms signify a change that needs investigating. Find a professional you bond with and learn to trust them when they tell you you're ok. An honest friend will also let you know if you appear to be well or struggling, plus learn to trust your body again. Counselling will definitely help process what has happened to you.
Almost 12 months after my heart attack I referred myself to Minds Matter and have had my first session of C.B.T. today. M.M. is an N.H.S. organisation and it might be available in other areas perhaps under a different name. I'm in East Lancs.
I understand totally how you feel . I am more of a worrier about the future but I find the best thing is a combination of talking to people, which means counselling and anti depressants . You are probably in a good place with all your fitness work and people telling you that helps enormously. I am planning to start a heart foundation group for my area because I feel the very best thing is talking to other heart disease people and HA sufferers. See if there is a group near you and get them running.
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Thoughts on my up and down hr and bp? X 
7 months on from HA
Little heart hiccups
6 months on.
