Hi, new here

On 16 November I went to a&e with what I thought was indigestion and 2 hours later I had a massive heart attack that stopped my heart, I woke to see people gathered around me saying it stopped for a minute and they shocked me to bring me back. Flown to John Radcliffe by air ambulance for an LAD stent to be fitted.

I’m 51 and in great health and my heart looks healthy, I had a blood clot and heart problems in my family.

It’s knocked me for 6 and I’m coming to terms with it but this site has been very helpful and I have my appointment with the cardio team next Wednesday.

It all seems like it never even happened, everything has been a bit blurry since and I feel a bit disconnected from reality. Has anyone else experienced this?

Thanks

Darren

[MJOR1981]

Hi Bodyrox

I can relate to the being in good health and not expecting something like a HA, I run my fastest 10k the night before I had it!

I only had mine in July but have learnt quickly that there will be lots of theory’s and tests to prove them that will come you’re way.. they are all mini battles and full of high and lows. But the NHS is amazing and the Cardiologists really know there stuff.

Enjoy the good days and forget the bad ones 🙌

[Hidden in reply to MJOR1981]

Thanks mate, I appreciate your advice

[080311]

Hello BodyroxWelcome to the forum having a heart event leaves us feeling like we have had a hole open up under our feet. I am older than you but found myself thinking how could my body let me down it never had before. I had Aortic valve replaced and bypass, on the forum we have members with different heart issues but we are all a bit “this can’t be happening “ when we are first in told what is going on.

There will be lots of members along to help you through this but remember you are now part of the hearties family and if you need to talk someone will always be here to listen and if you need a shoulder to lean on it’s here for you to.

You will get your life back but slowly does it let your brain catch up with what your body as been through. At the moment it’s wondering what is going on.

I send you best wishes for a great recovery

Pauline

[Hidden in reply to 080311]

Thankyou very much Pauline, nice to meet you .

[NotAllWhoWonder]

Hi Darren, and welcome to the club! Yeah, what you're experiencing is completely normal. The "haze" does lift after a bit, so don't worry.

[Hidden in reply to NotAllWhoWonder]

Thanks 🙏

[jowalk6]

Hi Darren. When you have something happen with your heart it knocks the stuffing out of you. It is such a shock out of the blue. It affects you physically and mentally. My SCA really had an effect on me. Give yourself time hun, try to talk about it, if you can't talk to loved ones therapy was a godsend for me. Take care of yourself hun. Jo x

[Hidden in reply to jowalk6]

Thanks Jo, great advice and I’ll make the most of the support available 👍

[MountainGoat52]

Hi Darren,

I had a HA in 2017 which came as a complete surprise as I was reasonably fit taking regular trips to walk the hills and mountains. My HA was caused by a blood clot which was later found to be due to an hereditary issue in combination with stress from work. Like yourself, the HA caused minimal damage to my heart and stents solved the immediate problem. 11 months later I had a triple bypass.

Thinking about what happened to me, perhaps the fact that I was alone when my HA happened, the fact that I called 999 and was able to get myself on and off the trolley and on and off the cath lab table all helped me maintain a strong presence of mind. I don't know what it would have been like had I been incapacitated. It all happened so quickly, but I can recall it clearly.

I suppose for me any disconnect with the situation only started after my bypass surgery. I will always be grateful for the excellent care that I received from all 3 hospitals involved from the time of my HA through to the diagnosis of the cause. I was told that the best way of thanking the NHS was not to dwell on what I had been through and to lead a normal life. I have always maintained a positive attitude which has helped considerably.

My best wishes for your continued recovery and for good health in the future,

Gerald

P. S. My hereditary problem was a high homocysteine level which was instrumental in me having the blood clot that caused my HA. It is easily treated by taking Vitamin B6/B9/B12.

[Hidden in reply to MountainGoat52]

Thanks Gerald, I appreciate your story and your kind words 🙏

[Qualipop]

Thank goodness you went to A&E. All I had was unbearable indigestion for two days until suddenly my arm started to tingle and I just knew what it was. Totally unexpected and for weeks after I couldn't take it in. I felt fine- until he tablet side effects kicked in. It was almost like it had happened to someone else and took a few weeks before the reality hit .

[Hidden in reply to Qualipop]

My gut was telling me something wasn’t quite right so that’s why I went, best decision I’ve made in a long time.Yeah it definitely feels like it hasn’t happened, think I’m still in the shock, denial phase although I accept the reality of it all, it’s a bit weird.

Hope you’re well

[Qualipop in reply to Hidden]

I found that. I remember I didn't even feel worried in the hospital or when I went for the angiogram. It was ages later when it sunk in and you suddenly realised you've faced your own mortality but you have survived. I wish they would have something in place immediately to help patients before they are discharged but there's nothing. until yoou eventually hear from rehab which can take weeks. Yep fine now thanks. 2 years down the line but now worrying about what's happening inside that I know nothing about. I had two more blockages over 63% but he blood flow was fine so they didn't stent. Can't help wondering if they are better or worse.

[Spangle14]

Good to meet you bodyrox and sorry that you have had such a shock, in more ways than one! Please excuse my sense of humour but I think that we need a bit of light-heartedness to get to get us through these difficult times. I hope that the cardiology appt was helpful to you and that you got some good advice and reassurance. I, too have gone to the John Radcliffe twice this year - to A&E. My trips there were by ambulance due to Afib episodes. Something that has also been a bit of a shock to me, as I had considered myself to be reasonably healthy, though I am quite a bit older than you - I'm nearly 67 but am usually very fit and active. I'm clearly not young at heart though - sorry, another attempt at a bit of humour!I am off to see a cardiologist next Monday and will, no doubt, will have to undergo more tests and investigations to find out what is going on....

Did your cardiologist throw any light on Why you had a heart attack. I just wonder if you maybe had something going on in your heart that you hadn't been aware of.

So pleased that you got prompt treatment when it happened and I hope that you continue to do well - I'm sure that you will now that you are under the radar. All the best

[Hidden in reply to Spangle14]

Thanks Spangle14. I hope your visit on Monday goes well. I don’t have my cardiologist meeting till next Wednesday but I’ll update how it goes. The humour is good, I’m ex Forces so it’s already started with my old pals.

Cheers