What's normal after a cardiac event

[Lurcherlady3]

Hello everyone, six weeks ago I had some chest pain and was admitted to hospital. I had an angiogram during which I had a coronary artery dissection and had a heart attack and a stent was inserted . I'm now recovering but feel exhausted after any exertion and find my chest aches,is this common? I feel quite anxious about it all

[Hidden]

Hello

I am a new member and as lovely as people are in this Community I really did not want to join as I did not want to have a heart condition but I am you age and 6 weeks ago like you I had a heart attack

I was just in the garden felt a pain in my face , then a pain in the middle of my chest and it went down both arms and it was the arm pain that lasted as this happened at midday but by 8 in the evening I realised the pain I felt in the middle of my chest was not right and went to A&E to be told I had a heart attack and more of a shock when all the results came back they could not tell me when but at some time I had had a smaller one before

They took me down to attempt doing a angiogram but the reason I am a member on Health Unlocked is because I suffer with severe anxiety and when they got me down there I could not stop having panic attacks and the consultant said no way would he attempt to do this as it would either give me a massive stroke or I would bleed to death as they could not keep me calm

He then went on to explain that the edications ( which a rather a lot ) but between a stents and what they have me on would only be a difference of 3 % in protecting me so I have come home with a bag full of meds and no stents

I am so sorry what happened to you I really am and I know how you will be feeling

For me I feel so tired all the time , I don't feel like I want to do much partly fear even though I know getting moving is good and what I need and part I think I am still in shock and very anxious , every little twinge , pain I am in an instant panic and I get a sensation like my chest is sore to

I talk to the Cardiac Nurse every week and she says this is all normal and I am doing well , not sure where I am doing well bit is because I really don't feel it but if you need someone to talk to know someone else feels the same way to

Take Care x

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Lulu sorry forgot to mention plz get your thyroid checked. Constant tiredness can be due to imbalance in hormones. I had similar problem but it was also due to anxiety issues. Once anxiety settled all slowly and gradually went to almost normal I walk 2-3 Kms exercise a bit along with my office work on line from 8-5 pm

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Hello

I had my thyroid checked about 8 weeks before the heart attack and it was a little bit out, Doctor said she was not to concerned and would check it again in 6 months again , but now you have said this I might ask if I can get it checked sooner

Thank You x

[Lurcherlady3 in reply to Hidden]

Hello Lulu , wow it's sounds like you've had a rough time too it's a frightening experience isn't it its left me looking at life rather differently I'm so grateful to be here as I was told it was touch and go at the time. I've just been discharged following another episode of chest pain which turned out to be pericarditis so more meds and I'm hoping it will settle down now, but like you In so tired all the time and every little ache or pain end up wondering if it's something significant, I have spoken to a cardiac nurse and She was so kind and reassuring that I did feel quite positive afterwards.

I hope your ongoing recovery is uneventful and your anxiety settles down,it's helpful to be able to chat to someone who understands isn't it?

Take care of yourself x

[Hidden in reply to Lurcherlady3]

Hello

I am sorry to hear you have had to go on again and they have diagnosed something else to even though I believe not a Doctor of course but that is treatable but still my fear that something goes wrong which is on my mind 24/7

I am on so much medication I am surprised I do not rattle and feeling as I do I think is it the heart attack making me feel this way or all these meds !

I am terrified of having another one and it is making me that I am afraid to move which I know is not what I should be doing not moving !

When I walk upstairs I get out of breath and when I get into bed my arms ache a short while which panic again sets in

I talk with the cardiac nurse who is reassuring but with my severe anxiety that reassurance does not last long

She says I m doing well but again not sure where just sat worrying doesn't seem doing very well to me

Are you back to your normal routine ?

Yes if you feel like talking anytime it is nice to know you are not alone as even though I have hubby etc when they are not going through it you do feel so alone even though people around you are doing their best x

[EmmyLaury12]

Hi

I had HA like you in April this year and one stent inserted .

No one told me that it can take a while for the stent to settle down . I had tight chest , pain between shoulders,feeling very tired , nauseous and loss of appetite for the fist 6 weeks following HA. As well as the above I felt extremely anxious I thought I was having another heart attack with all above symptoms that I was having .

I went toAand E twice only to be told it was anxiety.

Now I am fully recovered I can reflect on how I was feeling post HA and I think how you are feeling now I felt the same . I think

It takes time for your body to adapt to the medication and the invasive surgery of having s stent inserted into your heart .

I’m sure you will get better because I did . Just takes time and little steps .

Take care ,

There are some lovely people , fellow hearties on here that can reassure you we are here if you need us,

Sheila x

[DCIHarry]

Everyone’s situation is unique, but what your describing is both natural and common among many of the hearties in this community. You have just been through a very traumatic event, that involved invasive surgery, so it will take time for the body to heal and adapt to your new normal.

I went through a similar situation to yours and it has taken me six months to get back to where I was before my HA. So as others have said, it will take time, and you must take small steps to build yourself back up.

My biggest personal challenge was mentally adjusting to the change - something nobody told me anything about.

In the end I had to ask for help. Once I was connected to a specialist counsellor, things improved quickly for me.

So continue to take small steps on your road recovery. Keep talking to your Cardiac nurses - they are amazing. Don’t hesitate to ask for help. And you will get better.

[The_Voice]

Perfectly normal to feel "wasted" after what happened. Your heart is a muscle that can never stop moving - so while it's trying to recover from the MI, it's still keeping you alive. It's not like breaking your leg, sticking it in a cast, and keeping it immobile for 6 weeks. You don't have that benefit.

In other words, it's working really hard right now, so you're going to feel more tired. Just know that you're healing, and that there may be some discomfort while the stent "settles". It will eventually pass, and after your cardiac rehab you'll be almost good as new - and better off, really, because you no longer have that nasty blockage in your heart!

[Hidden]

I had angioplasty with 85 and 70% blockage LAD 5 Aug 20. Took me 2 months to feel a bit normal. Had chest pains, twinges and constant tightness. These pains and aches naturally got me crazy and anxious to an extent that I almost lost myself.

My pains and aches were not cardiac related thats what I discovered after I changed my cardiologist.

First thing plavix and aspirin along with statins cause stomach to make a lot of gases and stomach bloating once press on diaphram cause chest tightness and also pain.

Second Statins make large muscle to ache especially chest and shoulders. Pain and twinge can be due to statins as well.

Third being on bed for so long also make body soar and above all mind starts playing games and when you are caught in vicious cycle of anxiety even a small non cardiac pain transforms into something big.

My suggestion treat anxiety take PPIs and drink green tea eat small meals and be strong never lose hope! May God be with you!