Hi everyone I’m new to this. 8 weeks ago I had a heart attack. it’s ruined my life I’m 49. I’m scared and won’t go anywhere. Is this normal?

[Madsam28]

I’ve had an angiogram which had confirmed heart disease high cholesterol and low blood pressure. I get spasms in my main arterie that gives me excruciating pain. I use my spray and that normally works. I can’t believe it it’s ruined my life. I’ve lost my job and now I don’t go anywhere or do anything. Is this normal because I feel like I’m going mad. Any advice would be very much appreciated

[Elfmaiden]

Hi Madsam28 Sorry to hear you have been going through such an awful time. I would certainly recommend getting some expert advice. Have you spoken to the hospital or your GP regarding a rehab programme? There is also the BHF helpline, best of luck hope you are feeling better soon.

[gilreid1]

Hi. You don’t say if you have family? Talking about your feelings will help. There is a lot of support on this forum but you need professional help and advice. Your GP or cardio nurses will help you find the right people to help you. Seek advice as soon as possible. Meantime stay strong and as positive as you can and keep talking

Good luck

Gil

[080311]

Hello, Madsam28When we go through a heart event, it’s a very scary place that we find ourselves in. If you read some of the posts here on the forum you will see lots of members have been where you are but are now out the other side. See your GP get some advice about getting some help to help with your anxiety, as Gil as said try and get on the cardio rehab program I know it’s possible that it’s not running with Covid-19 but get your name on the list for when it starts again. I found it invaluable as much for my mental health as for my stamina. Having someone to talk to who have been through what your going through really helps.

Remember you are now part of the Hearties family and there will always be someone to listen or give you a shoulder to lean on.

Take good care Pauline

[Madsam28 in reply to 080311]

Hi Pauline. Awwww Thankyou hunni. I’ve never even heard of a rehab programme until you guys have told me. I was just left to deal with it. No aftercare no nothing. I will be ringing my local hospital later today to find out more. Everyone’s words have helped me so much. I’m not alone! My family and friends try and help but they don’t get it. They’ve never had a heart attack and don’t get just how bad and scary it is. I really appreciate everyone who has responded. Thanks for the lovely welcome. Much love. Sam💕💕💕

[Milkfairy Heart Star]

Hello Madsam28

Welcome to the forum. I am sorry you are feeling the way you do at the moment.

You have had some good advice already .

You have written in your post ' I have spasms in my main arteries'

Have you been diagnosed with vasospastic angina?

Was the cause of your heart attack due to coronary artery spasms?

I live with vasospasms in my coronary arteries and small blood vessels and I agree it's painful. It has taken me along time to get my head around this condition and find ways to live with it the best way possible.

I suggest if you are still having spasms causing chest pain that you ask to be reviewed by your Cardiology team.

It can be a process of trial and error to find the best combination of medication to treat you best.

The BHF has some information about Vasospastic angina aka Coronary artery spasms and Prinzmetal angina.

bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...

bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...

There are a few of us on the forum living with this condition so please don't feel you are alone.

[Madsam28 in reply to Milkfairy]

Hi. I’ve been diagnosed with angina and I’m on amlodopine. I was on a statin for my cholesterol but it made the spasms worse so I came off those and now I’m on a different tablet that collects all the cholesterol in your stomach but it makes me bad so I’ve stopped taking that one too. I have just been left with a spray and no aftercare whatsoever by either the hospital or the drs. Thankyou for sharing for your experience with me. Everyone has been so lovely and it’s comforting to know that I’m not alone. Much love. Sam💕💕💕

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to Madsam28]

I really encourage you ask to be seen by a Cardiologist again if you are still having angina.If necessary ask your GP to refer you to a Cardiologist who has some expertise in caring for patients with vasospastic angina.

There are other Calcium Channel blockers, long acting nitrates and other medication that can help prevent vasospasms.

In the over 8 years I have lived with vasospastic angina I have been seen regularly every 6 months by my Cardiologist.

[Hidden]

Hello

7 weeks ago I had a heart attack and even though I was not working it has still ruined my life which was bad enough as I suffer severe anxiety and I thought it could not get worse but it has

I came out on several medications as my anxiety was to bad to do stenting

The medications are giving me the worst indigestion ever which then makes me freak is this another heart attack

I feel I don't know what to do any more and life has just gone

I don't have the answers but just wanted to let you know you are not alone in how you feel

Take Care x

[Madsam28 in reply to Hidden]

Hi lulu. Thankyou for sharing your ecxperience with me. It’s comforting to know that I’m not alone and that people understand me. My friends and family are great and support me but don’t understand as they’ve never been through it. It’s a lonely place to be. I’m so sorry that you feel the way that you do too. Thankyou for your reply babe. Much love. Sam 💕💕💕

[Hidden in reply to Madsam28]

Hello

How are you feeling now ?

I had an awful weekend , I am on quite a lot of meds and they are giving me dreadful indigestion and I spent all weekend been so anxious it was awful , I hope yours has been better x

[Yass_123 in reply to Hidden]

Hi lulu-1 I can relate to your anxiety I had my ha four years ago I found out about 8 months ago I have severe heart damage and hf which has made my anxiety worse some days I will just start to panic when think about my condition and don't know if its just normal aches or could be heart problems this forum is very friendly and nice to know others have been thru the same thing

[Hidden in reply to Yass_123]

Hello

So sorry to hear this

I am still in a mess and I don't have the answers but if you ever need to talk I am not to bad at listening

Take Care x

[Yass_123 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for your kind reply hope you're ok

[Hidden in reply to Yass_123]

Hello

I am sorry you had a heart attack to , it was a long time in-between to them telling you that you now have severe heart damage , I can only imagine how you must be feeling , I hope there is something they can do to help you

I have my first telephone call with a Consultant after having mine 9 weeks ago and I am dreading what they might say to me

I relate though I am now feeling every ache and pain and instantly am in fear and to be honest in fear when I feel nothing at all , it feels like my mind is in such a mess

Thank you for replying to me x

[Yass_123 in reply to Hidden]

I had my ha attack abroad which also was a shock two months before it i had a toothache went to a dentist couldn't find anything then the pain eased then kp having headaches which too went away then I was getting fatigued but thought it was due to anaemia a week before my ha I had upper back pain I went to er abroad said it was muscular then after the week the pain didn't ease with painkillers it wasn't until I was in a operating theatre I realised I having a heart attack and they were doing an angio then the shock and fear appeared it was as if my life ended but thanks to God I am alive I then started to fear for every ache or pain I had I was already eating living healthy cardio didn't know the cause bp normal said maybe because I was taking some kind of hormone meds side affects. Yes the fear may never leave especially if you r like me i hope everything goes well for u try not to keep worrying because we can't help what happened but everything I feel sad or scared I try to do something I enjoy always feel free to post lots of people have helped me on this forum with their experiences take care🙂

[Hidden in reply to Yass_123]

Hello

You did go through a lot and I know how it must have left you feeling

I already suffer with severe anxiety that was my main problem

I was in the garden when I had mine , I was not even quite sure what it was , and I carried on the rest of the day but kept remembering the crushing pain I had in the middle of my chest which I could not avoid thinking I know that was not right

We went to the Hospital and they said it was a heart attack and quite a big one I was in total shock , I thought they were going to say I had a panic attack

They could not stent me as my anxiety was so bad they said it would be to dangerous so sent me home on all these medications which I know I have to take but having side effects like water infections , bleeding gums , indigestion but maybe the Consultant will help with that when I speak with her

But even indigestion frightens me now and I fear even moving even though I know that is the best thing to do

I am very tearful and still feel in shock and hope I can be as strong as everyone is on here eventually

Thank you again for your reply x

[Yass_123 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for your reply I too suffer from anxiety that's probably why we fear even more try not to worry only make things worse time will heal its only normal for you to feel like you do the cardiologist will be helpful in explaining wh has happened and how to prevent anything else take care🙂

[Hidden in reply to Yass_123]

Hello

I agree , I have read posts and I know so many after a HA have anxiety but I do know for me I thought my anxiety could never be any worse yet here I am it feels unbearable but hopefully in time it will get better and I wish that for you to x

[EmmyLaury12]

Hi Madsam

I hadHA in April this year and stent placed in heart .

Took me a while to settle down as anxiety , fear , doom

And gloom set in post HA .

The ily think I’ll say to you is it does get better . Rehab, meds,CBT , talking to friends/family all helped me to recover and to accept what had happened to me as I think was too scared to think about it before.

Also this forum really helped me as fellow hearties lifted me when I was feeling low .

I would make enquiries about rehab in your are it honestly helps so much .

Take care and let us know how you are getting on,

You will

Get through this it just takes little steps and you’ll get there I promise xx

[Madsam28 in reply to EmmyLaury12]

Thankyou. I thought I was alone in the way I’m feeling but obviously not. The drs and hospital sent me out of hospital with a spray and I feel I’ve been left on my own to deal with things. I’m certainly going to try and get myself On a rehab programme if it’s at all possible. Thankyou for sharing your story with me I appreciate it so much. With love. Sam 💕💕💕

[Madsam28]

Hi Thankyou for your words they are very true. Yes I’ve been feeling alone with this. I have some very good friends and I’ve got my dad. Mum passed away4 years ago. I wish she was here holding my hand. My hubby’s been great butt they don’t understand how I’m feeling. I really appreciate you talking to me. Thankyou. Much love. Sam 💕💕💕

[Heartattackvictim]

There is much good advice already posted. Your feelings are entirely understandable and because you might look the same to (yet you are not) to people who see you, having a heart attack and a heart condition can lead to this constant nagging doubt of "ifs, buts, why me?" But you've survived!! And as you can see when I started posting from the name I have called myself 'victim' given no warning signs, living a good healthy life and got saddled with this life changing condition. I should have called myself a survivor. Try not to despair - easier said than done. Give yourself small goals if you can. I ran a half marathon in under 2 hours 4 days before my heart attack (age 59) and after coming out of hospital could barely walk 5 minutes! But a year on, having taken my recovery a step at a time, I can jog 10 miles. The BHF website is excellent and has a whole range of excellent booklets. You are feeling what lots of others have felt and experienced before. You are not on your own. There will be ups and downs, but you have a community here to support you. Wishing you well.

[jowalk6]

Hi Madsam. If you haven't already been offered it cardiac rehab could be a good help. If you have family or close friends try to talk about it. I didn't and it all caught up with me eventually, don't keep it bottled up hun. Talk to your GP about rehab and there's always lots of helpful people to lend an ear on here. You will get to a better place hun. Just give yourself time. Take care. Jo x

[Misstibbs]

You’ve actually made it and have another chance I had the same and blamed myself but there was probably not much I could have done. The worry and the fears will subside and you will enjoy life fully again take it steady “brick by brick” make the most of each day👍

[Christianbain]

Listen to me and trust me I have had 8 stents fitted first 3 when I was 37 last ones when I was 43.6 half years ago last ones.i have had multiple heart attacks.made me scared at first it's natural.its a time thing.time is a healer just have to try think positive nothing else for it and set urself small goals everyday and you will get there all I can say.

[Yass_123 in reply to Christianbain]

Hi I read up post i think you r very brave person with a positive attitude can u please tell me with all th ha is there any damage to your heart and wh treatment do u take i wish u the very best take care😀

[RufusScamp]

I'm sorry to hear you have had no support. I was immediately contacted by the cardio-rehab team, with a programme of talks and exercises, and frequent visits and phone calls even through lockdown. The BHF website is also full of helpful information.

[djleighp]

i had my heart attack on 29th november and im 47 trust me is a shock and im still coming to terms with it if u ever need a chat always message me as its shite as nobody who hasn't had one dont think they truly understand

[djleighp]

should of said 20th nov

[Molben]

Hi, I have only just seen your post. I had a HA in 2012. I was 58, no family history of cardiac problems. I found it hard to believe that this had happened to me. I remember bursting into tears in the hospital when they told me. I had a stent and did all the cardiac rehab. I was constantly anxious about my health. Every pain in my chest and I thought "this is it". It was a hard time but bit by bit I came out the other side. I started to accept what had happened and the challenge to my own mortality. That was hard, coming face to face with my mortality. I always say the hardest part of all this is getting your head around it not your body and when your head gets round it, you will feel better. It takes time but every day will get better slowly. You will have set backs and feel really scared and everything you are feeling is normal but there is life after a heart attack. Have faith in yourself and you will get there. Good luck.

[RufusScamp]

Sorry to hear about your heart attack. But it is not the end of the world, I know several people who have been better afterwards than they were before if they made a few change to their lifestyle. The BHF website is a wonderful resource, as are the people on this forum.

[Yass_123]

Don't worry fear is normal I still do but try to carry on enjoy things I do cardio told I have severe heart damage which started to make me worry but I try to think whats point worrying if I can go back in time but try and look after myself this forum has many friendly people and lots of times have given me advice