I had a serious Heart Attack on July 13th and received (2) stents - 52 year old male. On July 30th, I received a third, due to some additional blockage found. The 3rd stent was scheduled and not under emergency conditions. Overall, my Cardiologist was pleased and said all (3) stents were working well. I am now on a beta-blocker, blood thinner, Rosuvastatin and baby aspirin.
Since then, I am extremely afraid at any slight discomfort and automatically think I'm having a 2nd heart attack. I even went back to the Emergency room on August 1st, because I didn't feel right. After 3 EKGs and 2 blood tests over a 5-hour period, they said I was fine and sent me home.
I find myself looking at survival statistics and the pros and cons of having heart stents, and I think I'm causing more anxiety and deepen my fears.
I could write a novel here, but does anyone have any similar experiences and how did you deal with them...Thank you...
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JamesP123
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Hi James , what you are describing is classic text book symptoms after a Heart attack, I was exactly the same and you will find through out the day as you get replies to your post that you are not alone in your experience, I’m a similar age to yourself and had a serious heart attack 3 years ago, I was terrified every twinge and ache, went to the hospital many times all faulse alarms , I read stuff on the internet, and it started to consume my life , 3 years on I’m fine and have a great life , It’s just a learning curve , And it will get so much better, However it will take time so be patient, Careful What you read online as much of it is out of date , my cardiologist told me after stents and I quote “Mechanically you are fixed now , but mentally it may take longer “. He was spot on with that , Take care James , and take comfort in the replies you get as you are not alone. Robbie
I will be starting rehab on August 11th, and from what I understand it helps a lot. Right now I take 30 minute morning walks, and it seems to help. Thank you for your response..
I have been lucky that where I live the BHF carry's on running classes after rehab which I do attend .During lockdown I have been doing 3 classes a week on Zoom which I have really enjoy.
Don’t be put off going to A and E. Although you are naturally anxious and probably much more alert to symptoms you think might be heart-related, it is a learning time. You will gradually get to know your ‘new’ body and how it reacts, and what unusual symptoms and patterns you need to be more concerned about.
Also anxiety/stress can make my symptoms much worse.
So can certain conditions....hot, cold, humid. I exercise carefully. Starting slowly, then never too intense. I eat small in the evenings. Resting, rather than trying to ‘push through’ angina symptoms. I try not to argue, watch less cliff-hanger movies and political announcements!
So I tried to learn as much as I could about my ‘new‘ body, what to avoid, and do and when to relax and when to get worried.
I read masses. But I know more inf. doesn't help everyone.
PS just had an angio and my 9 stents of 8-9 years ago are still good. I thought that might be reassuring?
It's the American Heart forum and there are various sections - rehab, heart attack, other peoples' stories..... there is also a forum to swap information and feelings.
Another sympathiser here, what you describe seems to be absolutely normal. I’m 42 and had a HA and 4 stents at the start of March. I’m back at work, walking up hills, did 50 minute spin session on Saturday.... and yet still have twinges and niggles that cause me to question whether there is a problem.
I try to comfort myself with the knowledge that the experts have been in and identified and rectified the problems, and I am now appropriately medicated to prevent further trouble.
In the first few weeks I had so many questions and felt exactly as you do now. The “I’ve had a Heart Attack” badge is with you for life, and I still struggle with that.
Very best wishes in your recovery, take your time building up exercise and make maintainable and helpful changes to your diet.
I’m sure you will, just take it steady, it’s a lifestyle not a race. I was in the gym three times a week before my HA; look up the BHF Cardiac Rehab workouts Level 1 - 5 on Youtube. I started on Level 2 around 3 weeks after my HA, and couldn’t believe the sweat lashing off me after some light aerobics to begin with. The two ladies on the DVD were still striding away and I was knackered!!
I can only reinforce the comments you’ve already had. I had a “massive” heart attack. Two emergency stents, then another two a week later. The cardiologist told me that in 15 years he’s not seen a single person survive such a massive HA!
For my first weeks or so at home I had panic attacks, especially just as I fell asleep. It was a feeling that if I went to sleep I wouldn’t wake. Having recognised this I was able to master it.
Nearly six months on I feel as fit as a butcher’s dog. I’ve just returned from a checkup with a tweak to my meds.
I hope your doing well, and thank you..I'm at the one-month mark since my HA. I have my 1st session with a mental health therapist tomorrow through Zoom online.. I still have a lot of fears and still panic at chest pains and or any aches. My Cardiac rehab was pushed back to the 18th..but I'm still excited for it.
I had a heart at 45 years old following 2 stents at 40 non emergency. The heart attack was because of another blockage in the widowmaker atery which required a 3rd stent. I have since been back on 3 occasions over a period thinking I am having similar symptoms but 2 blood tests later on each occasion suggest all is fine. It’s mind over matter the mind is very powerful.
I think many people suffer the same anxiety, I certainly did and still do. I think the secret is to try and relax, listen to your body. Most pain or twinges are what is known as settling. I never heard of that until reading these pages and my cardiologist certainly never mentioned it.
Hi James, it's very normal to feel this way as you read most of us been down that road and you will be fine, just don't ask Dr Google to much as that docter will keep you stressing out even more.
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