A few tears today 😭😭: Today was... - British Heart Fou...

British Heart Foundation

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A few tears today 😭😭

Rob6868 profile image
Rob6868
•21 Replies

Today was probably one of my worst days this this all started.. I was dealing with this in a positive way. But today after the government speech it hit me like a sledgehammer. That 90% of deaths were from people with underlying health conditions. But the worst part for me was the fact that heart disease eas top in those deaths followed by dementia. I have heart disease but would say im a fit 52 year old. But this has shook me up! I have young kids and i stress about cleaning to everyone. But why am i now feeling the grim reaper us just around the corner for me.. Sorry everyone. Its upset me today..

Please take care all you special hearties. Xx

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Rob6868 profile image
Rob6868
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21 Replies
•
ahk59 profile image
ahk59

Must say I also felt like that,after thinking oh well I haven't had the letter so not in high risk category.Just when I was feeling more at ease,sometimes I think it's down to having a good immune system.Try stay positive that's all we can do as well as taking all precautions

Shar28 profile image
Shar28

Hi Rob. Sorry to hear about how you’re feeling. It’s a very upsetting and stressful time. But on a positive note, my 87 year old aunt is in hospital with Covid 19. She has an underlying heart condition and asthma. A week ago was expected to die but she’s now ready to be discharged to a care home to recuperate. Please, please don’t think that if you catch this horrible virus that you wont make it through. The chances are that you will.

Take care, love to you and yours.

• in reply toShar28

Hi Shar28

It's good to hear some people do pull through I hope she gets better with time.

elliebath profile image
elliebath• in reply toShar28

Exactly the same with my sister. Aged 81, in hospital 3 weeks with heart failure and lupus so very poor immune system. Then she got infeftion, low BP and high heart rate 170 that wouldn't come down. Totally bedridden and frail, I thought it was the end. Three weeks on, she is now much better , stable, has new meds, and going to be discharged on Monday.

Prada47 profile image
Prada47

Hi Rob

Copy of a reply I sent to Fergus

Rob There is no reason whatsoever for you to be worried just protect yourself it's really that simple, Distance and Wash Your Hands

No letter here and I don't feel I want or need one !!

I have Moderate /Severe Heart Failure which was caused by a total but distil occlusion of my Left & Right Stenotic Arteries back in 1982.

In 2015 I had CABG to my LAD & my Circumflex

In 2018 I had 2 Stents again into my LAD

My RCA is 100% blocked and currently not worth the Risk of unblocking.

And I will try my Best not to be a Daily Mail stat !!

Regards

ps Forgot to say I am Max Dose of Bisoprolol and Entresto

080311 profile image
080311

Hi, Rob so sorry you are feeling so fearful, it’s a dreadful time but all we can do is keep our distance and keep washing our hands. My husband had a major stroke after my surgery and now I am his Carer I worry if anything happens to me what will happen to him, but every day I put one foot in front of the other and carry on. Life is for living and this virus will pass at some point! We cannot let the worry of maybe make living a chore.

We have come though being told we have heart disease, I have come through open heart surgery, so we will all do our best to stay safe.

I send you best wishes to you and yours Pauline

Chappychap profile image
Chappychap

"But today after the government speech it hit me like a sledgehammer. That 90% of deaths were from people with underlying health conditions. But the worst part for me was the fact that heart disease eas top in those deaths followed by dementia."

I think most of these risk statistics really need some interpretation.

In normal times what percentage of deaths are of people with underlying health conditions? A pound to a penny it's also 90%, or maybe even higher. And heart disease is ALWAYS (at least in the West) one of the top killers.

In other words, flip these statistics around and they're not actually telling us all that much. Higher risk people were also at higher risk of dying before Covid-19, and if they weren't anxious before then maybe they shouldn't't be unduly alarmed now.

Earlier today I was listening to a statistician from the ONS (Office for National Statistics), he was explaining that the age profile of Covid-19 deaths isn't actually all that different from the age profile of deaths in normal circumstances.

In other words the great majority of deaths are amongst the 70+ age group, with middle aged people making up a smaller but still significant percentage, and younger people representing only a few percentage points. So Coronavirus isn't killing us off any differently to how normal life kills us off!

Indeed the only statistical anomaly was that men are far more susceptible to Covid-19 than women, however you don't get men feeling they're high risk just because they're men. But from a purely mathematical point of view it makes far more sense to conclude that you're particularly high risk because you're a man than because you have heart disease or are a pensioner. Yet that's just not how we're hard wired to think about things.

So, kick back and enjoy your evening. Sure there are real risks in all this, and we need to diligently follow the social distancing guidelines. But the bottom line is that you're not walking around with a target painted on your forehead, or at least no more than you were before!

Good luck!

GracieOS profile image
GracieOS• in reply toChappychap

Spot on reply. I looked at the stats and age it still by far the biggest risk factor as it always was and always will be. In fact deaths from ischaemic heart disease are significantly below the the 5 year average at the same time as ischaemic heart disease is the most common underlying condition in covid deaths. The stats don't tell you this but I bet thier is a fair chance that the total number of deaths in people with ischaemic heart disease is little different overall to the 5 year average.

Handel profile image
Handel• in reply toChappychap

Well said xxx

Milkfairy profile image
MilkfairyHeart Star

Capt Tom's words as he finished his 100th birthday challenge of walking 100 laps of his garden

"You've all got to remember that we will get through it in the end, it will all be right," he said.

"For all those people finding it difficult at the moment, the sun will shine on you again and the clouds will go"

🌈

080311 profile image
080311• in reply toMilkfairy

Major Tom and Michael Ball have recorded ‘You will Never Walk Alone’ for the NHS heard it this morning on the radio, must admit had tears.🌈

russino1 profile image
russino1

The death rate in the UK is approx 0.003%

(IF you catch it then it rises to 4.5% chance)

Bottom line. there is statistically more chance of being killed in a road accident than from Coronavirus.

Of course. that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t take care and do all we can to avoid catching it.

Walkingf profile image
Walkingf

Hi Rob, unfortunately both the coronavirus thing and heart problems does play with your emotions and head, my workplace at first were understanding then awkward when I wasn't one getting the letter, I found myself searching out,reading and watching all the grim facts! Getting very low and tearful, very similar to when I first had the condition. Ultimately you have to do the same things as you did at first diagnosis, follow the advice, do the right things and keep a positive attitude, good luck mate, stay safe!

marypw profile image
marypw

Can I gently suggest that if you are in tears over this, you maybe try to get a bit more help. There is lots of helpful information on the MIND website or NHS Every Mind Matters and you could also contact the BHF nurses, who will probably know of more places to get support.

You are not alone - Kate and William have just been on breakfast news talking about mental health issues and how common they are right now.

Be kind to yourself!

Stevo1979 profile image
Stevo1979

What is classed as heart disease? , This may sound stupid but I had endocarditis which resulted in a AVR, no problems since, to me I feel as though I'm fixed. Am I classed as having heart disease??

Mary_Janet profile image
Mary_Janet• in reply toStevo1979

Hi Stevo ,

I am in exactly the same position as you as in previous endo and avr replacement. Made excellent recovery but get breathless when going up hills. Never sure if we are classed as having a heart condition or not but think that we probably are. I do know that my cardiologist always says that I must take any temperatures seriously and seek advice early because of precious endo and potential recurrence. I have not had a letter from NHS but am being very very careful 're virus. Keep well and safe.

lettingoffsteam profile image
lettingoffsteam

They also said that cases were higher in men and in BAME communities, so that covers a good many people.Heart disease is not a plus factor however you look at it and it can feel unfair if you have it.I'm 55 and I definitely felt a sense of injustice when diagnosed.The thing is we can do something about corona virus by following the guidelines and trying to live a healthy lifestyle.I would recommend taking a look at 'Every mind matters' as suggested.I had CBT support about my anxiety and it definitely helped.Hope you feel better soon.

Prada47 profile image
Prada47

Hi Rob

I think why I haven't received a letter is it would need to have a 3 mm Black Band around the envelope !! Again just listen to the Science it will Keep You Safe

Stay Well

Maisie2014 profile image
Maisie2014

Hi Rob. I must admit I feel like that occasionally. My daughter is looking after Covid patients so I worry about her constantly and I miss terribly my family but want them to be safe. People on this site are great. I don’t always agree with Prada but enjoy his arguments. Thank you Milkfairy for quoting Captain Tom. Things will be better and sooner than you think.

Prada47 profile image
Prada47• in reply toMaisie2014

Hi Maisie

I don't mind you disagreeing with me as long as you Understand you will be wrong !!!

Take Care lol

Yes, it is difficult having heart disease and being a bloke in these Covid-19 times!

However, Rob, all we can control is our own actions and I, personally, am 100% staying at home, using the stairs to exercise and my garden to get my vitamin d...but perhaps equally importantly : I am focusing on this moment, moment by moment, instead of going off into endless speculation, and to sum up:

right here, right now... I am OK!

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