Heart newbie

[Squeaky57]

Hi everyone, I was diagnosed with Bronchiectasis and a hiatus hernia, with associated GERD last year, getting used to living with these conditions when I had a heart attack four weeks ago. There may have been warning signs, but I probably associated then with my new conditions. I didn't have any stents put in, but maybe in the future, I'm on quite few new medications, some of which are aggravating my stomach problems. My problem is that at any twinge or pain in chest or neck I get really anxious, and worry almost constantly that another HA is on the way. Got so worried a couple of weeks ago that I ended back in hospital with suspected Angina, meds were increased, but still get some pains. How do you cope with this worry?

[Maisie2014]

Good question Squeaky. Welcome to the group. Sometimes you don’t. Just take each day as it comes. The heart meds aggravate the GERD and hiatus hernia symptoms so you’ll need to see which meds interact best. I’m still balancing the meds and I’m 15 months in. You’ll get there don’t worry.

[Squeaky57 in reply to Maisie2014]

Thanks for replying. Speaking to Cardiac nurse next week, who might be able to suggest how to deal with meds aggravating GERD symptoms.

[Rose54]

Hi

I had a HA one year ago yesterday and like you never had stents but on meds which has a effect on GERD .

My GP suggested I try Gaviscon at night this does help a lot

The worry and anxiety you feel re natural we all go through it but as time goes by it does get better .

[Squeaky57 in reply to Rose54]

Thanks. Think I'm going crazy sometimes, good to know it's normal. I have used Gaviscon before, which type do you use?

[Rose54 in reply to Squeaky57]

Hi

I found the original one was best liquid form

[Squeaky57 in reply to Rose54]

Thank you

[Katydl in reply to Squeaky57]

Hi there,

I have GERD , the HA and stents, and anxiety.

Over time the anxiety gets better.

I am twenty four months on, I still get those twinges, you described , see your cardiologists.

If you have heart burn and reflux the advanced Gaviscon is better, but if you have heartburn only, the original one will do.

[Imin]

Hi. I’ve posted a couple of things you might find interesting/useful. Please take a look - I have had similar problems but still waiting for diagnosis as everyone simply says it’s anxiety but I’m certain it’s gastro!!

Good luck with your recovery as others have said it does get better but it does take time...I’m eight months in and still, on occasion am convinced I’m having another HA as the indigestion can get so bad but since acid reflux and indigestion are side effects of a few meds I’m on I’m still trying to get GP to do some investigations and maybe experiment with alternative medication!

Hope you are getting to enjoy some of this glorious sunshine we are having xx

[Squeaky57 in reply to Imin]

H Imin, I've read your previous posts and a lot of what you say chimes with me. I'm 57 and on paper didn't have the normal risk factors, but I forgot my family history, virtually all the male side of my family have had heart disease,so my genes have finally caught up with me. You described a chest pain which they think is due to acid reflux,which sounds like the pain I've had. Glad you are doing ok and I'm sitting in my garden enjoying the weather as I type this.

[Fluffybee in reply to Squeaky57]

Hi

Sorry you’ve had so many problems, I don’t have the same heart condition as you but welcome, always happy to hear a rant 😃

[Squeaky57 in reply to Fluffybee]

Thanks you

[jerry12953]

To those who are not sure if their symptoms are due to heartburn/acid reflux, just take a gaviscon and if it is GERD related, it *should* clear up within minutes. Over the years I've also had Omeprazole from my GP; he told me i would be on it daily for life but I found that if my heartburn is bad, one Omeprazole will clear it for 24 hours and sometimes for weeks on end,or until I eat something that doesn't agree. You can buy something similar over the counter but I can't remember what its called. Look for something ending in "prazole" in the ingredient list!

Hope that's helpful.

[Squeaky57 in reply to jerry12953]

Thanks

[alheart]

I signed up and have the Kardia App on my phone

This gives me an instant and very good ECG which I can give to any medical service point

Worth think about

Been around for a few years and now advertised on TV by Mark Spitz

Gives me peace of mind and part of my app health set-up

[Squeaky57 in reply to alheart]

Not sure about device, seems to have mixed reviews. I have seen the ad, but not really associated it with me. Thanks for replying and I'll give it a bit more thought.

[alheart]

Genuine reply and not a sales pitch

Got it in 2015 after my AVR and double by-pass

[Sunnie2day in reply to alheart]

I've been seeing the advert with Mark Spitz and I've been looking into buying one. Reading your feeling about it is very helpful, thank-you.

[alheart]

I actually took part in my hospital trial of in 2016

After the trial I bought it

Needed it last year for AF problems and could send all info to my Edinburgh Heart team whilst 170 miles away

Really reassuring and had it sorted within hours

Worth thinking about