Heart attack, cadiac arrest, 1 stent

[jennywren1957]

Hi, 11 days ago, I experienced a suddent pain in my chest, by the time I had walked 5 or 6 paces, I couldnt breathe, 999 phoned, fantastic paramedics arrived within 10 mins, hospital 40 mins later, straight to cath lab, were I then had a cardiac arrest, followed by a stent. As anyone had this? still got a sore chest, lots of bruises, very vague about what happened to me, do they sedate you, as appeared to be coming and going. So grateful for what they did, they are all wonderful, Thanks LGI you are the best.

[NorthantsSteve]

Hi jennywren. You’ve been through the wars with that episode! I had a Heart Attack + stent aged 55 3 years ago. No risk indicators and it came out do the blue. Very fortunately I didn’t have a cardiac arrest. I understand there are forums and groups for that special group of hearties and maybe someone else can point you in the right direction for special support. How brilliant that you phoned 999. Sounds like it saved your life. For my stent (not an emergency and didn’t have CA) I felt some soreness and had lots of bruising on my arm. They didn’t put me under but did give some light sedative. If you were having a CA sounds like you may have been drifting in and out of consciousness. It’s amazing what they can do, isn’t it? I was really grateful to the teams that got me through my Heart Attack and on an improving trajectory. Do take the offer of any cardio rehab if it’s offered. It’s really great. Take care.

[jennywren1957 in reply to NorthantsSteve]

Thank you, we have so much to be grateful for.

[VelvetSky]

Hi jennywren, I had a very similar experience to you, I found recovery took a lot longer than I was led to expect so take it slowly. It’s as much a mental thing as a physical one.

I couldn’t fault the care I had in the Cardiac unit but the general ward and follow up care left a lot to be desired. I’ve not had an appointment that hasn’t been cancelled and rearranged so if your hospital is anything like mine be prepared to question everything including medication, I was prescribed something I had been told not to take as I’d had such a bad reaction to in the first place.

I found cardiac rehab overwhelming as a chronic asthmatic so now 9 months on I have a treadmill at home and just take life gently. I’m impressed with all the people on here who do massive amounts of exercise and walk many miles but It’s beyond my capabilities, everyone has their own limitations so just do your best and don’t be pressured into feeling guilty because you can’t achieve everything in double quick time.

[Ceck]

Hi Jenny

My husband had a heart attack and sudden cardiac arrest requiring cpr ( by me) in July, followed by bypass surgery. 3 weeks in hospital. Lots of discomfort. He is recovering nicely. There are Facebook groups, Sudden Cardiac Arrest Surivors, along with a few more, that are a wealth of support and information.

Congratulations on being one of the 5- 8% who survive! Look after yourself!

[jennywren1957 in reply to Ceck]

Well done you, the pressure was on you, I have performed cpr on an elderly person, as I am a first aider, but on a loved one, it must have been hard.

[Prada47]

Hello Jenny nice to meet you

They do sedate you when stenting, I believe it relaxes you and your vessels which the cardio is working on !! Sounds as though it wasn't much fun !!! Have you had follow up appointment yet ??

Best Regards ex Jack RN

I think there are a couple of ex Jennies on the forum !!!

[jennywren1957 in reply to Prada47]

Dont really remember much, havent got an appointment yet. Hoping before Xmas.