My first post- I had a heart attack and stent 4 weeks ago. I used to exercise 4 times a week, cholesterol under 5, not over weight and all this was so out the blue. I have been so confused What I can and cannot do ever since and have been reading what everybody puts on here and google is my new best friend. I feel like I have just been left because of lockdown.
I called the rehab team because nobody had contacted me at the 4 week mark (last Wednesday) and was told I can now follow the YouTube exercises but don’t let my resting heart rate go over 130 sustained. I didn’t end up starting as I was starting to feel post HA. Thursday morning I had a massive panic attack (first time ever) and I Convinced myself I was going to have a heart attack and die In my sleep. i called 111 and they called the ambulance and I went to A&E. everything was fine And I was sent home. I’m so worried about starting exercise again, I don’t feel the stent inside has healed and I’m worried I will do more damage, but I know exercising is more important than the tablets. Is anyone else feeling like this? I just don’t know what to do, I felt better after the stent and now I’ve gone backwards. I’m due to go back to work Monday and I just don’t feel ready. Hanging washing out seems a big deal. Sorry for the long message, I just feel lost...
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Mandie76
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Mandie just one thing I would advise. Forget google it is not a good idea. Just take advice from your cardio or GP. And small steps are best. Things get better with time
Thank-you, I just feel my dr and cardio have just left me because they are too busy and nobody has contacted me unless I contact them first. I know we are in a difficult time but I’m going through a difficult time and I just need some direction. Thank you for your kind words.
I’ve not had a heart attack, but both my mum and my step dad have, with a miraculously mild NSTEMI and a severe STEMI respectively. Neither were overweight, neither smoked or drank, neither had abnormal cholesterol, and both of them were relatively fit. My mum did ignore symptoms of heart disease for years that she shouldn’t have done, but my step father’s was completely out of the blue. Post HA, both of them struggled massively with fear and anxiety around their hearts and health generally, and having been a member here for several years now, I see that anxiety is an extremely common response to having had a heart attack, as is wondering ‘why?’ when you feel like there was no reason for it to happen.
I think one of the things that isn’t well understood, and not just with cardiac issues, is that just because you look healthy on the outside, it doesn’t mean your insides are the same. My Dad is massively into his sport, going to the gym 3 times a week, playing football twice a week even into his 50s, along with cricket, not an ounce of fat on him. Never smoked, didn’t drink, and at home he ate healthily. But he also ate out a lot generally, and went on holiday regularly, where he also ate out a lot, and the consultant has told him that the saturated fat content of those meals is likely why his arteries are narrowed, even though he often chose what you would expect to be healthier options. My step father had a diet extremely high in saturated fat, but because he wasn’t getting overweight due to how active he was, figured it wasn’t an issue and couldn’t be doing any harm. There are also people, though, who have an excellent lifestyle including a genuinely really good diet that also have heart attacks: sometimes, there just isn’t a reason we can identify. For all we think we know a lot, medical science and understanding is actually still in a relative infancy.
From experience, stick to reputable sites like the BHF, NHS and forums such as here, particularly as it’s still early days. You may feel that google is your friend and giving you more information, but a lot of what’s out there isn’t accurate and can end up doing you more harm than good, particularly when you’re vulnerable due to anxiety and the shock you’ve had. Follow the advice of your GP and any cardiac staff involved, don’t be afraid to ask questions, but don’t try and push yourself too hard too fast. Despite total blockage of one of the arteries, my Mum’s NSTEMI was really mild, she has almost normal ejection fraction, but she didn’t feel ready to return to work for almost 12 weeks, and a lot of that was actually mental and emotional health wise rather than physically. What you’re feeling is actually really normal for what you’ve been through.
Thank you so much for taking the time to reply. I really appreciate you sharing and I think I’m probably being to hard on myself and trying to rush the recovery, when mentally It is taking longer and what you said about your mums recovery hit home.
How are you with walking? It's a very good way to get started back to fitness and feeling in control, it also helps prepare you for cardiac rehab when it restarts. For cardiac rehab, you need to make sure your medics know you want it, btw. You'll be invited to an assessment and your programme tailored to fit you and your specific need and condition - any every single person here who has taken it up swears by it.
But until you're assessed, the best way to ease back into physical activity is walking. Start using time measurements - five slow but steady minutes walking, once in the morning, once in the afternoon (for a total of ten minutes per day). You may find steadily walking five minutes too much at first - no worries, aim for three minutes and add a minute every few days or week.
Then, if the timed walking works for you, you can set a personal goal of distance measurement rather than times - increase your distance incrementally every few days. I walk in miles now - I started with an eighth of a mile and have worked up to two miles twice a day for a total of four miles - next week I'm adding another eighth in hopes of getting up to five in the morning and five a night for a total of ten miles per day (what I was walking before a heart wobble spring of 2019 set me back to barely being able to walk from bedroom to bathroom to living room and kitchen).
And always remember - stop and rest if you are in pain or short of breath and recovery takes longer than a few minutes. Recovery that takes longer than a few minutes should be reported to the medics - GP if you've been discharged back or to the cardiology team managing your care.
Keep us updated - and have you seen the heart walkers group here on HealthUnlocked? Not a lot of activity over there yet but it's picking up members and discussions slowly and surely:
Hello Mandie welcome to the club. The hardest part is accepting that you can do the gym four times a week (not at the moment). Start small 20 minute walk every day. That’s what the consultant told me to do at first. Build yourself up slowly. There’s no rush. I’m sure your GP would be happy to speak to you if you’re worried. The problem with tuning 111 is they call for an ambulance almost always. Don’t feel abandoned there are lots of people on here to help.
This is half of my problem and why I’m so confused. I haven’t been given any advice of anyone. I was literally thrown out the hospital afterwards as they needed my bed and I was given a booklet and told someone would be in touch. Nobody was in touch, hence why I’ve felt lost and confused. Everything I have read, the rehab probably won’t start this year, so I’m looking to everyone else to guide me. Thank you.
Just to say there is light at the end of the tunnel, i'm now 2 years post SCA & Triple Bypass, i am back at the gym 4/5 times a week, running 5k's 2/3 times a week, cycling 15-20 miles 2/3 times a week.
As already said, slow progress is the best. Listen to your body, if it says it wants a day off give it a day off, if it says push a bit harder, then... yep push a bit more.
P.s. I would guess that max 130bpm should be your HR during exercise, not at rest!
Hi Mandie. Please read my posts - I was in your position right months ago but thankfully got the chance at rehab which helped enormously! But mentally and emotionally I struggled. If I’m honest I still do occasionally but it is getting better!
Feel free to msg me direct if you think it will help! This is a terrible situation to be in when trying to recover from a HA but there is help out there!
Hi Mandie76. Sorry to hear about your HA. I had mine on 30th April and had one stent. I have felt exactly like you that I've been left. I don't have my follow up appointment with cardiology until 28th October which will then be 6 months.
You've had a massive shock and your mind and your heart need to heal.
I still get stent pain 11 weeks on, my medications have been swapped around and still getting used to them. I'm also still off work.
Anxiety is normal as is questioning our mortality.
The you tube videos are good. Start at level 1 and you can do a low intensity version if you feel more comfortable. Walking is also great for your heart and your mind.
The main thing is it's early days, just take things steady. You will get there just give yourself a break and build up .
Cardiac Rehab are on the end of the phone and you have us so don't worry alone.
Listen to your body and don't feel guilty. Work will still be there, if this tells us anything it's that we need to put ourselves and our health first.
I had my heart attack about 6 weeks ago but like you no one to get answers of but just take things slowly I just keep walking a lot 4 miles a day 2 morning 2 at nite not quickly but I feel happier then I don’t think I am as. Concerned as I was it is listening to body not brain no that’s easy to say but I still do get worried but not as much
Thank you for such an in-depth reply. It actually gave me a little tear in my eye (or a few) to think that I will be okay.
I have started today with 2x 10minute walks and although I had to slow down a bit, it made me feel a bit better just making a start. Thank you again for your reply.
Have you been given a number for your local cardiac rehab? If so ask them to send you the heart manual. It has lots of advice and tips in it and talks you through recovery. Especially dealing with the emotional side.
Don't be in a rush to get back to normal, or go back to work. Take things at a good pace.
There is lots of great advice on here, from other hearties too!
I'm 10 months post HA and still feel tired!! Still get upset and feel every twinge!
Thank you Debbie, I will request this Tomorrow. I’m so glad that I have this group and although I’ve been reading the last few weeks and not really getting involved, today has helped me so much. Thank you for taking the time to reply.
Hi- confidence is a big thing after a heart event esp when you have no reason to be at risk- but it will return. I’m 17 mths post event at 51 & still occasionally feel something else will happen. It’s a shame you can’t get the rehab but I found the important thing is to not overwork your heart to begin with - hence the 130- but also that the rate lowers again once you stop. Rehab was a bit basic but perfect to start- look at the BHF site for the home workouts. I then worked with a personal trainer post the rehab & that gave me my confidence back. Good luck
Hi there, congratulations and welcome to the club, you’re a survivor so a winner in all our books, had my ha and 3 stents last November and like all the advice in here started slowly on rehab, my walks 5 mins each, and that was 2and a half out, 2 and a half back. Wasn’t even allowed to walk my dogs for the first few days weeks,
The above just means start off slow and gradually build up, after a month or so I was up to 3 mile power walks but some days it was just meh.....
Push to get on the initial cardiac rehab classes, but I’m not sure if they are still running with covid, I know my local phase 4 rehabs are closed at the mo.
You will have up and down days and days of “why me.?” and feel every thing is another ha in the making, but I had 2-3months of odd twinges before things seemed to settle down.
Take the positives and celebrate each increase in distance/speed and each consolidation when you just about do the same.
Ps, always consult your cardiac team, whether face to face or over the phone if you have worries or want to go up a level of exercise. That’s the small print.
Thank you for taking the time to reply. Everyone on here has helped me more the last 24hrs than I have had the last few weeks (I know Covid plays a big part) but more so for my peace of mind. Thank you
Hi, I really understand where you are coming from. Having a heart attack is probably the scariest thing that’s ever happened to you.
It seems to me that your expectations have been set a little high. It can be a long road back and going back to work and strenuous exercise after only 4 weeks is probably a bit optimistic.
It can take ages for your body to settle. You have to get used to lots of new medication and sometimes they have to be changed until they get the right balance. Sometimes you get aches and pains as a result of the procedure and the strain your heart went through.
Don’t read too much on google as it only scares the life out of you. Do only gentle exercise - you don’t have to rush it. Because they say rehab will contact you after 4 weeks doesn’t mean it’ll happen exactly then - that’s the way it is. But once you get there they are good and they should go though how you feel etc and put you through a step test to assess how you are doing and when you can start the classes. I think you will feel a little more cared for by then.
This is a great site. Some people have recovered in double quick time while some of us have been back and fourth to A&E in ambulances several times but we are still here!
Don’t rush back to work. Keep that spray handy as having it is a great comforter but above all try not to worry all the time. You have been through the worst and just need to let your body - and mind- recover in its own time.
Thank you. I was confused as the consultant said I could go back to work after 1 week and I’m on week 4 and still don’t feel ready to go back.
Also rehab isn’t running at the moment and with the back log I probably won’t be seen until next year. I’ve been struggling to know what I can and can’t do as I seemed to have left hospital and just left. Everyone’s advise on here has been brilliant though and it has given me the first few steps I need physical and mentally.
Thank you for taking the time to reply. I think allowing my body and mind to recover as it’s own pace is the main thing too. Thank you again
Hey, sounds exactly like my story. No warning signs like you. Cycled 150 miles a week and lifted weights 4 times a week. Super healthy diet but it happened.
The cardiologist told me it was a bit of bad luck and it shouldn’t happen to people like us but it does.
He told me that of the people he sees, I was one in a 1000.
I went back A+E after fours days with massive panic attack.
I started walking the day after I left hospital and for a month I slowly built up the distance and speed.
After a month I got back on my bike and went back to the gym.
I have changed the way I workout, never let my heart rate go to its max and lift lighter weights.
Lockdown has helped this due to limited access to equipment.
I have been on a plant based diet for a year now and feel it has helped me.
It’s 2 years on now and I do get days where I wobble, worrying is that pain another heart attack of just GERD(Which I get a lot with the meds). That said I train more now and try and live a less stressful(self induced) life.
Hello. Four weeks after my triple bypass I was a wreck, still in shock from the fact I had to have one. Same as you - blood pressure , cholesterol was fine but the drugs caused havoc with my digestive system and I spent 3 months with horrendous upset stomach. I had major panic attacks. The cardiologist took me off everything apart from aspirin. He said the reason for my heart problem was smoking in the sixties and hereditary factors. Don’t be hard on yourself . Do things when you feel right . Cardio rehab is paramount. Do go online and you will find excellent help with the right excercises from professionals . Well 8 months on female aged 77 I am now back at tennis and feel terrific after.
Oh that’s lovely to hear. I think I just need to get out there. The rehab isn’t running at the moment and with the back log will probably be next year. I do think that with the help of everyone on here, I will be okay. Thank you for taking the tile to reply. I’m starting today with one step forward.
Great advise, I will take the aspirin and spray with me so I don’t end up in a country lane, eaten alive haha that did make me laugh. ( great way to start my day )
Have you thought of downloading the what3words app? It's a mapping app and if you give the emergency services the 3 words that are on the screen, they can then apparently pinpoint your exact location. I hope you never have to use it, but if you do, it might work better than "3rd bush on the right"!
You sound a bit like me, I was superfit, no family history of heart attack, cholesterol about 5, BMI 23, slightly elevated BP, and I suddenly had a heart attack at the gym whilst warming up! What had I done wrong? I was 64 but felt like 40.
The cardios reckoned it was probably stress, I had a job which I loved but it was very stressful, lots of travelling and organising, and a lot of responsibility.
I retired after my HA and found all of a sudden I was sleeping better and my BP was lower.
The moral of this story is fit as you are, stress is a big factor in overall health, especially cardio vascular.
You must learn to relax...there are many techniques, yoga, breathing, meditation, you must try and find one which works for you.
This is definitely part of my journey. I have started listening to some podcasts that I never did before and when I’m fit again I will be taking up yoga either by YouTube or hopefully a class when they re-open. I know stress has played a big part of my life in the past and it’s okay now, but I do take on other people’s stress that I don’t need and need to learn to push back.
Hi Mandie76, I am so sorry to hear what you at are going through. I haven’t had a heart attack but was diagnosed with CAD and had one stent fitted in 2016. The shock of being diagnosed with this, after having no symptoms at all changed how I viewed life massively for the better I think 🤗.
All the advice re exercise you have been given here sounds wonderful and I would just like to add one more thing.
The anxiety you are feeling can be reduced by doing simple Focused Breathing. In addition Meditation and Mindfulness are very useful techniques to learn.
All of these are about learning to control the breathing and by doing this you will find that you can think more clearly and rationally about everything.
At the moment you are feeling very emotional, which is definitely understandable, but when feeling very emotional it is very hard to think calmly and you are reacting automatically to these emotions.
Just by slowing down the breathing you will create a chemical change inside you reducing the Adrenalin being produced and increasing the Serotonin which is the calming hormone. This will help you to then rationalise what is going on for you.
Just breathe in through your nose as slowly as you can, hold, then breathe out more slowly than when you were breathing in and do this for a few minutes. Maybe even try counting - in for 4 hold for 2 out for 6.
Also maybe think of all your anxieties as a colour and breathe this colour out and see it disappear into the distance.
Thank you so much, I actually found myself doing this as I read it. If you halve any of your favourites you would like to share, private or on here I would really appreciate them. Thank you
Maybe try this twice a day Morning and night for 5 mins until you get used to it then you can do this at any time you are feeling stressed or anxious xxxx and as with everything practice makes perfect and it gets easier 👌🌻
I had my heart attack eight months ago. Like you I was fit and had none of the conditions that normally contribute to a heart attack. Strangely since having my attack and having two stents I have met a considerable number of people who are the same. I felt like you initially. I had a good retired GP friend who advised me to take life easy for the first 2-3 months. The heart needs this time to repair and to try to exercise then will only cause further damage. Gentle walking is advised going a little further each day. It takes a long time for the body to fully recover make small but progressive steps. I am now eight months post attack and not yet back to full recovery but can now lead a normal life.
Since contributing to this post I have read of more and more people who lead healthy lives - like us- who’s ecg come back as normal and all the tests like cholesterol and BP normal as well. I can only therefore think that stress is the major factor . It’s so miserable if you spend your life taking care of yourself - I mean what else can we do. So in my case addressing my stress levels I feel is the most important
That is great news. I think I was over thinking so much and thinking I should be at certain points and then beating myself mind up when my body didn’t want to do anything. Thank you
My heart attack was a massive shock. For decades I'd eaten a Mediterranean diet, drank moderately, exercised every day and never smoked. 20 months later I'm still quite shocked and partly in denial but i think the first few months are definitely the worst. I went from being a confident person to being in a constant state of high anxiety. I was always at urgent care or the G.P's. or ringing 111! I didn't start cardiac rehab for 3 months because of Christmas but followed the cardiac rehab. nurse's advice to use this time to build my exercise up very gradually- 5 minutes a day for several days then 10 ,15 etc. You will get your fitness back and you will calm down but it takes time. Please don't look on google. The experience and support on here is what kept me sane at first and there are B.H.F. nurses for advice.
Ok so this what happened to me after having a HA and then a stent August last year.... due to the stent surgery it took 3 months for my healing to I prove... also the medicines I’m on... will have an affect on you... as my Cardiologist said they are heavy going... and slowly if you improve they can lower the dose are give you a different drug... I suggest looking up side effects of drugs your on and printing these out... it takes 6 moths... to get some sense of normality.... if you have BUPA contact the BUPA nurse.... if really worried go to casualty... always have list of drugs you’re on printed on small piece of paper in your wallet... try to relax.... things will improve...you survived !
Thank you. I am so grateful I am a survivor And I am beginning to realise it’s not a race to get better, it will happen, it just takes time. Thank you again
Good advice from SmokeAKipper, but can I gently suggest that you read the leaflets that come with the drugs and then put them away in a safe place, to consult if you think you're having a side-effect? I believe that sometimes if we focus too much on the side-effects, it persuades our body to deliver them, if you know what I mean. The drugs will take their toll as your body adjusts and some people will never be able to tolerate them, but it is worth persevering if you can. I hated taking bisoprolol to start with - I felt so tired and my hands were so cold - but over 6-8 weeks, the side-effects gradually wore off. For some people, the side-effects are too severe and they have to try an alternative drug, and that's fine too. One day, about 3 months after my stents, I suddenly realised I felt like my old self again (and I hadn't had a HA), so it takes a while, but you will get there in the end.
I had a HA in April this year and one stent in . Before HA felt fit gym most days health diet etc so was in total shock when I had my HA.
Emotionally it effected me massively. After coming out of hospital I had to self isolate for 2 weeks as I caught covid whilst in hospital . After coming out of isolation I had two in close proximity A and E admissions thinking I was having another HA.
I think this was the worst time in my whole life (I am 63)
Now with little steps and the help of cardio rehab, CBT,friends, family and this forum I’m so much better.
I’ve recently started the couch to 5k so feel I’m
Going forward not backwards .
When reading your post and so many more on here your journey was just the same as mine .
You honestly will get there it just takes time and little steps .
I really wish you a full recovery and im here like everyone else for you if you have a wobble which in the early days I had lots !
Thank you so much. It’s even better realising I’m not alone and things will get better. I’m sorry that you had such a bad time. I had started doing the couch to 5k before the heart attack and can’t wait until I can get back but actually be able to breathe this time. I thought that I couldn’t breathe because I was unfit. I’m actually glad that some of it was my heart. Haha
Hi Mandie - first off, don't panic. Easy to say I know, harder to do. Like you, mine came out of the blue - I had to have two stents..... and I've always looked after myself, eaten properly etc etc. The first few weeks are the worst....every time something seems 'not right' the thought comes in....'Am I having another heart attack'.....it's a fact that 'time itself' is part of the healing process. I couldn't manage the exercises after my attack without getting really out of breath and the advice given me by my Heart Team was that things needed doing in small steps. For me, that meant no more long walks of an hour or more....but 5 mins only, leading to 10, then 15, then 20 - I found that I needed to get the leg movements up and running before doing the arms, because otherwise I'd feel quite faint. Making sure we drink more water is SO important......it helps to keep blood pressure down. It took three months before I realised that I wasn't so focused on what my heart was doing. Yes - there were still times that I felt a tightness across my chest - but that was because I was doing too much, too soon. IE - walking too fast. It's now a year and a bit since I had my attack.....and life is back to normal on all fronts apart from the occasional dizziness if I stand up too quickly. The medication given to me also had to be adjusted.....I had dreadful headaches when they put me on it first, especially the statins.....I've since found out they just don't suit my system so they've been stopped and it doesn't seem to have altered anything. Just make sure you take your spray with you (and use it if you need to - if after the 3rd go things aren't better - its a 999 job) wherever you go, along with the date of your attack, which hospital sorted you out and the medication you are on. I typed all mine out onto a small sheet of paper and it resides, folded up, along side my bank cards. It does get better, honest!! God bless.
Thank you so much for your reply. I think I’ve just been too eager to get back to “normal” but actually I think I have to start thinking of the old me and now the new me. Thank you again for replying. 😊
Hi man die, when I had a heart attack at Christmas I went to rehab and was given an exercise dvd from big. If you put “bhf exercise dvd” into your browser you will find really useful info. You need to take it slowly at first so don’t rush things.
Mandy you need to take your time and build up to more strenuous exercise. Walking is good and then you can go further and further. Take heart - scuse the pun - my friend had 99.9 block of the main artery and had a heart attack and is now back to running marathons.
I’m not sure I want to run a marathon but then again, maybe one day I might. I will start off building myself up though. Thank you
Hello Mandy . You could have written all about me there , altho I didn’t have a heart attack I was a hairsbreath away from it with and had a stent in the lad Which surgeon described as very severe and I was a lucky lady. 60 years old and gym 5 times a week doing heavy classes sometimes back to back plus outdoor cycling . Totally out of the blue I suffered severe chest tightness and pain which stopped when I rested but after 3 weeks the pains didn’t go away even when I topped the gym.
Now 4 1/2 months later altho I’m building up my excercise I’m still having chest tightness daily. Sometimes at night I can barely sleep With it.
My follow up app with cardiologist was by phone and described it all to him so awaiting a scan of my arteries now .
Cardiac rehab call me every couple weeks to check all okay and I tell them I just don’t feel back to my pre stent state at all .
The rehab Called me today and said someone can come and check and do a fitness test on me and getting back to fitness program. I am so relieved that somebody wants to actually care about me and not just leave me. This group has helped the last 24hrs mentally but I feel I might finally get some help. Also when I explained that for the first few weeks I was fine and now last week something has changed, they are going to get me fitted with a heart strap for 24hrs. So hopefully this will show what my hearts actually doing. I moped my tiny kitchen floor yesterday and felt fine, but if I walk slowly up the stairs by heart rate doubles, that’s partly why I’m frightened to exercise. Anyway fingers crossed this week things will happen.
Thank-you for the great news update - so good to know you've had contact with Rehab and they're able to do a home assessment, wow! Also good to know you're being listened to and a 24hr monitor is going to be fitted.
Love to reply later. Now sitting in a small park in Singapore getting my advised sun rays before the storm. I am more comfortable responding on my ipad hence talk later. So fiddly on hp.
Hi Mandie, I am new to this group and just to say you are on the road to recovery now, I am learning to take things a day at a time. I hope things are steadily improving by the day for you. Keep your self well and stay safe.
I’ve only been on here for about a week and it’s done me more good than I can possibly say.Once discharged from hospital after heart attack and stent I was left high and dry. My few rehab phone calls have been useless, they have never even mentioned there is a video available. They have not given me their full name or a contact number should I have any questions.
I am finally getting to a better place emotionally and mentally and all the aches and pains are fading away. I have just had blood test and due to see my GP as I still get exhausted and breathless after a shower and climbing the stairs.
I had major panic attacks after HA thus x2 a &e admissions thinking I was having another H.A.
I think
I’m
My case the stent was just settling down and psychologically I was coming to terms with what had happened to me which is a massive shock to anyone .
I would say to you that it’s early days and the stents May be settling in . 1 yr and a few months now I feel so much better and I feel sure you will too just need to adjust to this new condition and little steps to recovery you honestly will get there because I did and many other on this forum too,
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