Working with a heart condition

[Cornwallyoungheart]

For those of us nowhere near retirement age, how many have had to change career or even stop work? If a change, what to? After all, everyone has jumped on the work from home bandwagon lately.I feel my physical job will have to come to an end soon as by not being able to cope with the rate I used to aim for I’m just not going to earn enough. And I imagine if I stopped work and went on the state they would hardly give anything, if anything from what I hear.

[Milkfairy Heart Star]

Hi

It really depends on what type of job you do and how your heart condition effects your day to day life.

Many people with heart conditions can continue to work with no problems others have to stop working.

I was retired early due to my heart condition as it was judged that I would never be able to work again in any capacity. I have a small occupational pension.

I also successfully applied for a PIP Personal independence payment. A notoriously difficult benefit to be able to obtain.

I suggest you talk to your employers, family, GP and Cardiologist and seek advice from Citizens advice Bureau.

If you have a long term condition you are protected under the Equality Act 2010 and you can ask for reasonable adjustments made to your working environment to allow you to stay at work if possible.

legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/20...

Good luck

[Snowdrops_17]

What is your profession please Cornwallyoungheart?

Feel for you! I have ischaemic heart disease and vascular disease! Working as Kitchen Porter (restaurant kitchen), it's tough! But managed to cut my shifts to 4 shifts and max only 30 hours now finally! And not working on close, evenings either only early until 2 or 3 pm!

Have you received a letter from heart consultant or GP with your diagnosis yet?

If not, chase this "URGENTLY UP" either with your GP or the hospital you went to, where you had your scan!

You need proof for work if you are employed!

Secondly I find if I take Aspirin in the morning and my Statin, Bisoprolol and Ramipril in the evening, I don't feel so horrendously tired during the day! Bisoprolol slows your heart rate and by midday I was ready for bed literally 🤪😴! GP said try evening, and it works for me much better now!👍

I have 1 daughter and 3 sons between the age of 32 - 38!

I really hope you get soon a letter to confirm a diagnosis, further treatment or operation to fix your left ventricle! Not surprised about all the symptoms you mentioned in earlier posts!

The balls of my feet burn on and off, especially when I have been on my feet for a long time or standing washing up at work! I stopped washing my feet with soap and apply foot cream containing peppermint and teatree after my bath! It cools my feet! Also try cold water after work or when they burn, I read that helps too👍🌈

Just remember, you have a heart problem and I wouldn't exercise in the heat, try morning when it's cooler, as your heart is working harder when it's boiling outside!

Talk to your employer please as well, so they aware of your health problems you have right now!

Hope you get answers soon! Keep me posted okay and don't loose heart 🥰🙏🌈👍

I struggled when it was so hot, today it's bearable, sitting outside for a bit now 😃🌄

[Cornwallyoungheart in reply to Snowdrops_17]

Self employed. I think that’s why I’m thinking ahead more about it all. Had the first consultant letter which says what I have but should get a more in depth one soon.

I’m a carpet cleaner and where I could do 3 jobs a day I now can’t do more than one a day. Even then I don’t have a job every day and I still feel I’m working to my physical limit. Some days I struggle to walk up my own stairs. There is a lot of heavy equipment and movement, which is worse in the heat we had lately. But realistically I can’t live off what I’m currently earning. I have a wife and older son too. I’d be far more relaxed if I only had to look after myself. Although to be fair they both work now too.

[Snowdrops_17 in reply to Cornwallyoungheart]

Okay, bummer, 🙄

Have you got any other skills, young man?

That is hard, self-employed! Try and limit yourself and also go on gov.uk/universal credit or any help you could get if this self-employment gets you to a point of collapse!

Does your wife work?

May be you could up your price a little! Or do light delivery driving! Sure you work this out somehow! My eldest son drives for UBER in Sheffield! But stay in touch! Don't loose heart or get too uptight! Been there, done that, worn the T-shirt too many times! Stress kills, nearly killed me!🙏🌈🥰

[SarahJLD]

I see you haven’t got a diagnosis yet but think from how you describe your job and symptoms it might be worth thinking about other careers that are easier on yourself. It may be once diagnosed and have appropriate treatment life improves for you but if not having a plan b, c or d ... now might be helpful.

I managed to get special adjustments to change my shift pattern after my diagnosis, so no nights and no 12.5 hour shifts. I realised during lockdown when I wasn’t working how exhausting I was finding it all. I’ve now started applying for other jobs that are in a different environment so hopefully less of a strain on body.

[Hidden]

Hi,

I’m a plumber, I had to leave the company I set up with my business partner after 10 years and go self employed on my own. I’ve had to severely limit the work I can take on and not book in too many jobs, but I can get by. It’s surprising how you can get along fine with a bit less coming in with a few little adjustments to your lifestyle and trying not to worry too much! If you’re selective about the jobs you take on you may even be able to work less hours with not much drop in earnings, especially if you diversify a bit and think about other jobs you can do at the same time. Being self-employed is a double edged sword...it can be worrying and stressful but you also have the freedom to work whatever hours you choose and do whatever work you choose. Good luck, and hope you manage to balance everything out!

[andy110519]

Hi,

I'm also self-employed, but as a bookkeeper, but as well as not wanting to do the hours I use to do I struggle to do everything now due to fatigue. It's not bad but it's a struggle and I don't want to miss out on the things I enjoy and I've got another 14 years before I get my pension!

I had an SCA followed by AVR a year ago so I am hoping I will improve further over the next year or so.

It does sound like a less strenuous job is the way to go but easier said than done, hope you manage to get something sorted out.

[Fluffybee]

I’m self employed and have managed to find a way of keeping things going with less work, don’t get me wrong it takes planning and lots of thought to go into it and some tough choices to be made,

I’ve gone from full time building my business up over years and now only do 2 mornings a week and that sometimes feels to much on a bad day.

Agreed that maybe citizens advice maybe a good place to start to see if you can apply for something to help.

Best of luck, it’s a tough time for you.

Let us know how you get on !!

[shopman]

We all have differing views on the way forward following events like this.

It took me a long time to recover from my bypass - was self employed beforehand. I applied for many jobs b ut once it got to medical history no one was interested any more. Fortunately a friend needed help with his flourishing business and I worked for him for a few years building & installing PCs.

One day I came home and my wife tells me she had bought the local shop. So for the next 12 years it was get up early to do newspapers, go to the cash & carry etc. Then she had another bright idea and opened a second shop closely followed by a third. It was challenging & unfortunately had 1 Landlord who had other ideas and we closed one of them.

Everything was fine until chest pains started again in 2015 and ended up with 3 procedures for stents. 2 years ago after more bad health we gave another one up and the remaining one is mainly run by staff.

Would I change anything - probably not as I have thoroughly enjoyed my last 20+ years. At times it has been hard but being only 44 when this all started I had to something.

[Thanksnhs]

Hi after my diagnosis of heart failure I couldn't go back to work, I had a small pension, I was 58, I also claimed EESA, which is contribution based and not means tested, I was placed in a support group, meaning I didn't need an assessment, I had letters from my cardiologist and my gp to back it up, I also applied for and received the higher rate of PIP again not means tested, and automatically qualifies you for a blue badge for car and a free bus pass for yourself and a companion (Scotland) the forms for the benefits are horrendous to fill but advice centres will help you, I wouldn't attempt them myself, char