I’m thinking of having a nice glass of wine soon but every time I try something I’ve not yet done since having my stent I panic a little but I know once I’ve had one I will be ok then and not worry when I next have another.... but it seems to me like from now on everything I want to do....is it going to be dominated by that niggling reminder that I have heart disease? I’m hoping that one day I won’t be constantly reminding myself that I have heart disease (not purposefully) just pops in there and that I will do things or just go about daily life maybe for months on end without the constant reminder.... I know that I need to exercise and I’m hoping that that too will become more of just my new way of life than thinking (I have to do this ) does anyone else feel this way or have these thoughts?
Thoughts and changes: I’m thinking of... - British Heart Fou...
Thoughts and changes
Yes!
In a word Yes. It was a huge preoccupation at first. Then my daughter told me ‘You are not defined by your heart problems. You are still YOU!
It will come. We are told to take it easy after a HA. Not to rush back to at least as busy as you used to be.
Some try to prove they are the same or even fitter, some so fearful of another one that they hardly dare move.
It’s such a shame the rehab classes are postponed. They gave me (and I suspect so many others) the support and confidence to make progress. FirSt me very slow, and later lots of setbacks.
But at läst. Now I AM that person I watched amazed and envious as he jogged round the gym and took a 3 mile walk most day (as well). At last that’s me!
You will be the same, I’m sure. Give it time.... maybe find a buddy to make progress with?
Have a glass of Red👍I had 2 stents 20 years ago. Red win in moderation is fine. Drink sensibly 😉
About a month ago I had a heart attack and two separate procedures to open up two arteries using three stents. Exactly like you, I have been fearful of doing everything for the “first time” again. At this point my recovery is just as much mental as it is physical, possibly even more mental. I still struggle each time to do something “new”, but each time it gains me a little more confidence. I have horrible times where it feels like I will never be normal again, but I also have moments of clarity when I realize that in a few months I’m probably going to be better than I have been in a long time. Those two opposing thoughts can last for what seems like a long time, and can also happen literally minutes apart. Today was a good day. I didn’t panic at all, didn’t think even once that I was having the prelude to a heart attack, and didn’t have an emotional meltdown. It was the first day I’ve made it through without at least one of those things occurring. It showed me that there will probably be a day when I don’t even think about it. It’s really hard to imagine that right now because it dominates my every thought almost all day long, but I believe it will come.
Having had 5 stents I would say be positive about your situation. I considered myself to be lucky after my HA, I survived! friends haven't. Take your time, build up slowly and all should be fine, a glass of wine will do your spirit good and your body no harm. Enjoy life, you've got a second chance.
This made me smile. If you are planning to have a glass because of a stent would you be intending to have the whole bottle or more if you had had 6 stents?
Seriously though a little of what you fancy should be OK but just start with a small glass. If you can manage it then there are alcohol free versions but have to be honest and say I wasn't keen when I tried them. On the other hand some of the better alcohol free lagers are very palatable these days - my favourite being Heineken.
I believe most people do 'get used to it' once they work out what works to manage the disease/condition. It really does become second nature habit, so much so you don't even think about it, you just instinctively know what you can, can't, shouldn't do.
But at first it takes conscious work. Some people seem to get it sorted within a few months, others take around a year to 18 months.
If it takes you longer than 18 months, or if you recognise 3-6 months on you're not coping as well as you think you should be, it is time to seek assistance from your cardiac team or your GP.
I found cognitive behavioural therapy exceptionally helpful after my one 'stoopid little heart thingie' became multiple not-so-simple heart conditions at the same time I was going through some family upheavals, but talk therapy on its own is also helpful making the adjustment from 'normal' (heh. define normal!) to 'person with heart disease'.
Yes you are not alone...i was diagnosed with sinus tachycardia in sept 19. I was 36 weeks pregnant with my 3rd at the time. Id been having bad palpitations and funny episodes all pregnancy eventually leading me to be 999 to my local hospital and admitted onto a cardiac ward at 31. I was given verapamil while there but it gave me a funny turn so they gave me bisoprolol instead which ive taken ever since. The labour went well and babe fine but everytime i take any sort of other meds such as cold and flu or painkillers etc i panic thinking im going to have a reaction or somethjng. Its like a bad case of anxiety which i dont know where its come from. I was fine before pregnancy and before the tablets. I dont know why it happening but i know what you mean. Sorry i cant help more specifically but at least we are not alone.
Hi
I think the anxiety is coming from when you were first in hospital pregnant and given a medication that gave you a funny turn.... so now whenever you are faced with taking a different medication that you may not of taken.... subconsciously a thought is popping into your head so quickly that you don’t even notice it saying to you (but if I take this I may have another reaction) and now if you acknowledge that you thought that ... ask yourself ( ok.... and what would happen if have a reaction)And you will find that the answer will be (it might be dangerous for me....( like it was dangerous for me and my baby before) ..... do you see where I’m coming from? When you had the reaction during pregnancy subconsciously you were afraid that it could of harmed you and you needed to be ok for your baby so now every time you try to take something new your reminded of this negative thought.... yes you had a reaction but yes you snd your baby are fine and a cold/flu tablet is very very different from either an intravenous drug or a specialised drug given in a hospital setting.... let it go my love take the tablet you will be fine xxx
I’m just 3 weeks into my recovery from my HA and 2 stents. It is a very nervous time as we have no aftercare. But I suppose it’s just about building up our confidence. I’m still showering with the bathroom door open so my husband isn’t to far away. He comes walking with me. I’m absolutely loving this lockdown business. It’s nearly like we where after we first got married. We’ve had real belly laughs together. In the morning we have a we cuddle before we even get up and chat. I just might milk this recovery business. I’m just doing things progressively. But have no idea when anything fun can start. But I’m in no rush.
I wish you all the best in everyone’s recovery xxxx
How long ago did you have your HA just so i have a rough idea people wait. Xx Drink the wine and enjoy. My surgeon told me that the most important thing that we do is to take our medication. Xxx
I didn’t have a HA mine was found from a routine ecg which showed changes specific to iscaemia so they didan angiogram and I needed a stent in my RCA for an 80% blockage then they did a wire test on my left circumflex artery as it had some plaque build up but blood flow was fine so they didn’t stent . My main left and LAD are both clear of disease ... my cardiac rehabilitation nurse sent me a heart manual and a DVD with excercise routines in it and also relaxation ... I am doing the home ones illustrated in the back of the heart manual instead though atm and I’m going to walk a mile five nights a week instead of those excercises as she said I can start the programme once they reopen if I want which I do so that’s what I’m going to do xx
Thank you. Good luck and keep safe.
Since my stent 5 years old, I almost never drink during the week and I don't want to anymore anyway I'm 50....lol....unless a special occasion then I will. Saturday evening I'll have 2-3 beers or a few glasses of wine. There is no need to drink during the week IMO but 1-2 glasses of wine in a week day is not going to hurt, just make sure you keep below 14 units a week this is important, as alcohol as we know increases blood pressure. I didn't drink anything for 9 months after my emergency stent and looking back I think it was a prudent move, cleaned my system during that period I only ate natural food for a year with exercise and I can say looking back this was a really smart move as cleaned my body for good health and definitely helped my recovery no question.
What sort of goods did you eat? For me on a regular day I’d have bran flakes with fruit and skimmed milk for breakfast for lunch a sandwich brown whole meal nutty with fresh salmon and cucumber and for dinner tuna linguine with salad ... also I don’t drink a lot either especially not during the week was just gauging what people do
I wouldn’t have had a bad diet. I enjoy cooking so I wouldn’t have had processed food. Any meat would have been bought in a butchers. I would even buy a ham to cook for sandwiches rather than a packet. But I would cook with salt and real butter. I never owned a deep fat fryer. I’m going to have to go with extra vegetables and fruit. We maybe had a chinese or fish and chips twice a month. I rarely would eat out as I enjoyed my own cooking more. Sweets and chocolate in the evening where always available. I’m trying to quit the smoking at the minute. I’m really struggling and I know this is my biggie. I,ve been looking into hypnosis I’ve heard great results from friends and relations. I’m currently researching them. It’s really hard as most places are closed due to the virus. But I will bite the bullet very soon and then maybe I can relax more. 😫😫😫
Thank for your info. It’s a mind field of decisions. I wouldn’t be a big drinker infact we wouldn’t have a drink at home at anytime. Knowledge is power so I’m just asking as websites all have different guidelines.
I happy to provide:
Oat Porridge for breakfast with Almond or Coconut milk and coffee
Fruits mid morning
Tuna sandwich with lettuce, tomato, red onion for example and a little mayo or salad sandwich.
Afternoon more fruit and some nuts without salt, small handfuls.
Dinner wholemeal pasta with chopped tomato can or mushrooms/veges etc, vege soups home made, breast chicken with wholemeal rice and sweet or normal potatoes baked, red bean salad, sometimes black beans with brown rice and veges (never red meat, but a bit of red meat is good for you), Baked Salmon, mackerel fish etc, Sardines on toast
Desert normally a yogurt
evening herbal tea with a biscuit/cake maybe
I did this for a year solidly, I was lucky to believe and was saved by 2 off duty Doctors I had a stent in my LAD. So I was totally focused on health afterwards.
I still eat this way but not as healthy I must say, I compete in endurance sport events, so I am trained on the right healthy food I think this helps. I don't think I've had a takeaway since my cardiac arrest, but I still have my weekly/fornightly fish and chips cause I love them!
Secret if your hungry, you must eat but eat healthy (fruit, home made cake with a cuppa but NO to processed foods, processed foods are just pure junk!) BUT you have to live right! So have a treat every so often it's fine and enjoy. I like chocolate a lot.
Hope this helps.
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