Still recovering

Hi this is a rant sorry now 10 months since my heart attack 3 stents usual heart medication but I'm still struggling with inner feelings every small pain I look into thinking its all going wrong cant stop talking about all my aches and pains every day always can hear my heart beating at night so not knowing what to do wake up shaky lasts most of the day feel unsteady what a strange world I seem to be in

[OldHippy]

I'm sure this is quite a normal reaction for many of us. I spent the first 6 months post HA and stent terrified to go to sleep lest I not wake up. It's a huge shift in our perceived health and resilience when we have heart problems. Yes, every twinge, ache and pain seems to be poignant. I would suggest doing lots of the relaxation exercises, and making sure you are able to distract yourself with activities, and with luck you'll find that your anxieties gradually reduce over time.

[Hidden in reply to OldHippy]

Thanks iam trying and looking ahead to a better year than the last one

[daveofpensby]

Hi yes it’s a big shock having a HA and takes some getting over. It’s all about building your confidence up again, have you been on the cardio rehab course yet, that’s very good it builds you confidence up and they can answer a lot of your questions and explain things in simple terms. My first HA was 26 years ago and I was probably like you are now back then. Believe it or not my last one was 2 years ago so this time I knew I would mentally get over it

[Hidden in reply to daveofpensby]

Hi

Thanks the rehab course never got started Covid saw to that was really relying on that I have a rehab check up this month at our hospital perhaps I will have more success then

Take care

[Hidden in reply to daveofpensby]

Thanks but had no rehab in 10 months due to Covid I do have a check up this month so will be asking as to what is happening as was told that there were no plans yet used to get a phone call every 2 weeks but not now

[Tessie28]

Very normal, following AVR still all over the place mentally.

[Hidden in reply to Tessie28]

Thanks yes I feel very unsure as to what is happening shaky a lot or nervous got appointment this week with my doctor so again we start the process all again

[Bigheart58]

I also think it’s perfectly normal to feel anxious following a HA. It is a huge shock. Mine was eight months ago. I try to focus on the fact that I pulled through, despite having two cardiac arrests following the heart attack, and am slowly getting better.

I saw an amazing cardiac psychologist while I was in hospital (the Royal Free in NW London) - have you been offered any psychological support?

[Hidden in reply to Bigheart58]

Thanks all rehab stopped so I have not had any real support in 10months which I feel let down but Covid came and stopped everything but looking ahead now

[Bigheart58 in reply to Hidden]

I’ve also suffered from the lack of rehab since March but it might be worth asking your GP or cardiologist if they can recommend a good psychologist. Otherwise, it’s a case of focusing on the positives and telling yourself that worrying about what might happen doesn’t help. Quite the opposite in fact.

Stay safe and stay positive!

[Hidden in reply to Bigheart58]

Thanks i will all the best and take care

[Prada47]

Hi Honda

I think probably 80/90 % of people don't have any support after an HA and Stents there is not a lot to be done really.

I think but not 100% sure they have had a good look around when you were in the Cath Lab and did the work that was necessary !!!

So getting over the HA is now a mental thing believe me you will get over it because you have to, it won't go away on it's own.

I have just come in after having a couple of miles walk in the Dark for most of the way. I walk on my own the only precaution I take is to have my phone just in case. I am now 73 and my HA was in 1982 Bypass surgery in 2015 and Stents in 2018. Current Diagnosis is Moderate Heart Failure. with LBBB, Brady and Tachycardia, and 43 % ejection fraction. I believe I cope reasonably well just through being positive.

I don't think about it going wrong and if it should I will be Blue Lighted to Hospital where they will fix me up and send me on my way AGAIN.

Worrying about what may happen won't prevent it happening, I know it's easier said than done BUT a lot of us on here have done it and are still here to talk about it.

So keep positive 2021 will be a good year as long as you want it to be !!

Hands Face Space to Stay Safe

[Hidden in reply to Prada47]

Hi

Thanks im trying very hard to be positive but you are correct the mental side is the worst re support hospital wrote to me after the HA that I would get their support ie gym every week seminars with people who had just had the same bit Covid came and everything stopped but heres to 2021 good luck and take care