Hi, I am 33 and had a heart attack on the 7th of September was in the hospital for eight-day as waiting for an angiogram due to COVID it taking longer than it should I discharged with like 7 pills and a spray
but is it normal to feel overwhelmed and heightened feelings over anything so, for example, is if say something happens wrong am like constantly worried even days after even over little things that I wouldn't think twice about I suffered from anxiety before the attack and this seems heightened also some times am worried to go sleep sometimes also worried about my family I have a wife and two children and am constantly worrying bout me not working and bringing money in
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brianwinturburn
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i am still awiting for the angio i had a echo scan while I was in hospital and they say my pemp is not working as good as it should also enlarged heart
Hi, sorry to hear that. The angio is a gold star diagnosis. Best to know what's going on as there's medication which will really help with your symptoms. All the best for your angio Brian. Take Care and Keep Safe....
Hi Brian, absolutely normal reactions. I was in hospital for 10 days and that was before Covid. I also used to try to stay awake at night, as I didn’t think I was going to wake up, lots of visits to A&E with chest pains all negative. Just hang in there, it does get better.
Hi Brian, I’m afraid that is the case for most people in our situation and it is absolutely normal and to be expected. It certainly was for me.
You have just been through what is a “life changing” event, and the emotional side of your brain will naturally go into “overdrive” in doing everything it can to protect you, which is a big part of why you are feeling so anxious at the moment.
In my case I became hypersensitive to every single ache or twinge, that in reality have probably been in my body for many years, but now my brain is automatically jumping to the conclusion that I may be having a heart attack.
For me this became very debilitating, to the point where I was frightened to go outside my house.
With a combination of counselling and building up my levels of exercise each day, I am now much better than I was.
I am realistic and don’t believe that I will ever be 100% fixed as there will probably be a small percentage that thinks “what if”, but I will get to the point where I will be able to live close to a normal life for the remaining time I have left on this planet.
So my advice is take the time you need to recover. Also, don’t forget to treat the mental/anxiety side of your recovery. And take each day at a time, and you will overcome this.
Of course it's normal. You have just suddenly had your own mortality thrown in your face. It's an enormous a shock, not only physically but also mentally. If you can eventually do cardiac rehab do take it up. just being with others who have had the same is an enormous boost. Oddly after my HA two years ago I had no immediate reaction. I suffer from health anxiety so I expected to be very anxious but I wasn't. That only kicked in for me after about 5 or 6 months. Probably because I had so many problems with tablet side effects my mind was on trying to work out which ones were causing the problems but then suddenly the enormity of it hit me; waking at night in a panic; worrying about every little twinge. Luckily I have a very understanding GP who understands how such an event can impact anxiety and he sat me down and explained everything in detail; how much damage had been caused ( next to nothing), exactly where my blockage was and how to change my life so it didn't happen again. My discharge letter was so technical I couldn't understand a word of it which made me worse. Gradually it eased and went away. It's now building up again a bit so I need another chat with him on how to go forward. Don't forget it's likely you are having side effects from the tablets too. Talk to your GP.
I have an appointment on the 5th with my GP so I am going to bring my feelings up with me the second day I was in hospital my anxiety and panic attacks were every hour so draining then I remember waking up 24 hours later I think I was sedated then I have prescribed Diazepam during the day and zopiclone's for night am already on Miraz for anxiety and depression so 3 to 4 days I was out of it. the anxiety has calmed down a lot it's just some times ill try doing a normal task light task and then ill start get palpations and panics
Completely understand. There's no rhyme nor reason to when they start. However, even though they help in the short term, drugs are not the long term solution. Your doc should be able to send you for CBT, counselling to learn ways of controlling it or self hypnosis lessons which is what worked best for me. Years ago I saw a wonderful lady who hypnotised me and during it, talked about how to recognise panic attacks and stop them in their tracks. She then taught me how to do it. Oh I still have the odd blip but I've just been for tests for possible cancer which you would think would set me off and not had one single moment of worry yet I got close to a panic attack the other day when I got chest pain and breathless. You can overcome it but it takes a while and just when you think you've got it, it threatens to take over again. You are perfectly normal and you will get through this.
Do look at the BHF website and consider chatting to the nurses on the helpline. I think all your feelings and worries are totally normal in your circumstances and they may be able to offer some advice about work, money etc
Everything you are feeling and worrying about is normal and most of us have experienced it on our journey. It will always be in the back of your mind but there is help out there to reduce the anxiety. Cardiac Rehab departments have some great resources and can help just by being there to listen. Good luck for the future.
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