I’m new here - How did you recover from a heart attack at 52 years old

[Rugby46]

I’m 52, exercise regularly and eat an ok diet. I had a heart attack this week whilst cycling. Had a stent fitted and need another one in two weeks. This has really shocked me and I’m pretty frightened of what the future holds. What do I need to do to get back to some normality?

[Killerblue]

Hi Rugby46, I am so sorry to hear this and it must have been frightening for you I haven't had a heart attack, thank god, as my narrowed artery was found very early due to being tested out of the blue because of family issues, but I have been diagnosed with CAD and had a stent fitted very unexpectedly as no signs at all prior to this. My brother had a HA aged 40 and is now 69 and very happy with his life:-).

I know that what you have been through is a lot worse than what I have experienced but even for me it was a huge shock that effected me badly and for quite a while. I found it changed my whole view on life (then I was aged 56) and I found myself crying at stupid times i.e. while out trying to run early in the mornings and going past places that brought back memories of things I had done with my kids, dogs etc. I didn't stop doing anything but felt scared and that life was disappearing before my eyes.

5 years later I have now processed all of this, accepted what has happened and what might happen at some point and I am enjoying my life more than I have ever enjoyed it before

I started Couch25k early this year and ran my first 10k last week I am eating more healthily than ever ( I haven't given up wine though

You are at the beginning of this and what you are thinking and feeling right now is perfectly normal as this is a massive thing for anyone to go through!

Just take your time, keep liaising with your GP and your Cardiac Team. Do whatever they advise (you might find the Cardio rehab too easy for you though if that is still being done but that is fine as well and you will learn a lot of information from them that you can follow.

This isn't the end it is the beginning of a new stage of your life which can be a good stage albeit a different one

[Rugby46 in reply to Killerblue]

Hi, thanks for sharing your story. Good point...it’s not the end it’s the beginning. Yes, I’ve been emotional too. Need to get in a positive place here.

[EmmyLaury12]

You will get there just takes a little time .

I had HA and one stent April this year . Taken a while but physically and emotionally I’m feeling better than I have been prior to HA.

Found CBT , exercise, meditation , family , cadiac rehab , this forum all helped me to stay positive and look forward to life again . I honest think having health scares somehow makes you a very strong person a survivor!!!

I take everyday as it comes and feel

Lucky to have a second chance in life .

It is really early days for you but you honestly will get there because I and others in this forum did .

Take care , keep

Us posted how you are getting on ,

Happy Christmas 🎄 to you and your family ,

Sheila x

[Rugby46 in reply to EmmyLaury12]

Happy Christmas to you also. Time... yes. I’m wanting to get back to normal yesterday and I need to get round the fact I can’t. As you say, early days. We had a great day with the kids today. Lucky I was here to enjoy it

[EmmyLaury12 in reply to Rugby46]

Absolutely you will definitely get there xGlad you had a good day and lots more to come x

[ScoobyDoo71]

Hi Rugby, happy Christmas. It must have been a huge shock to you especially given that it sounds like you already led a really healthy lifestyle. Unfortunately sometimes there is no rhyme or reason why some people have heart issues and others don’t I’m sure genetics has huge part to play. I was born with my heart condition am now 49 and I still have days where I struggle to get my head around it all. I think my suggestions would be firstly be kind to yourself none of this is your fault it’s just unfortunate.

As others have said thankfully you have come through it and with the stent and the meds that I’m sure you will have been started on your risks are probably far lower now than they have been in past.

Accept all the support physical and emotional that you can get. Cardiac rehab is really helpful to tailor a safe exercise program to start building your exercise back up again safely. It is also useful as you can get many of your questions, concerns and if needs be medications altered as they are a direct link to cardiologists.

I think what my journey has taught me is that to adapt to a slightly different life than the one we think we will have has been a huge challenge. However it also puts things very much into perspective about what is important and what isn’t including who my true friends are. Family and friendship and trying to keep positive about the future have helped me most. I also take responsibility for my health and will challenge in a respectful way when needed after all we only get one life to live and to be able to live it the best way we can.

Hope you are able to have a good Christmas and here’s to a better 2021.

[Rugby46 in reply to ScoobyDoo71]

Hi. Thanks for your top tips here. Really useful. Was told about the rehab and I will definitely get involved. Enjoy the rest of the Xmas break. Thanks

[pjw17]

Hello Rugby46I had HA in May aged 58, this was a massive shock to myself as I've always looked after myself and was a racing cyclist until my early 50s. The consultant said I could get back to where I was fitness wise, but I'm just content to amble around locally on bike, but have to admit when somebody goes past me on bike I want to fly after them, but I don't!!

Take note of cardio rehab team try and do your best re. diet and fitness, I've surprised myself lost about 10ks, cutting out the rubbish and having occasional red meat, I'm enjoying the veg stuff from supermarkets!

I found a big problem was coming to terms with whats happened especially after my fitness background, I had 'why me' moments quite a bit, but I try and be positive about situation.

Keep plugging away you'll be fine and come on here for a gee up, even reading other people's stories for inspiration.

Good Luck.

[Rugby46 in reply to pjw17]

Hi, thanks for your reply. It’s the ‘why me’ I’m struggling with right now. Thanks for your advice and all taken on board. Cheers

[Andyman]

Sorry to hear that but at least your still here and will be getting some exercise again I hope. Your old norm gave you a heart attack so you don't want to go back to that. You need to find a new normal. Cycling and walking and gym are all things I do a few times a week each. And it was the walking that made me sane after my heart attack. Time to see the world clearly for the first time Instead of rushing past it. I had a difficult time mentally after mine and was not afraid to ask for help and some counselling and Mindfulness has that under control. Diet made a massive difference to my weight and health. Doing 50 km bike rides as a norm now enjoying the roads, trails and mud on my bikes. Walking the coast of British a little at a time. It's all there in front of you. But not the old norm but a new one.

[Rugby46 in reply to Andyman]

Hi. Thanks for your note. This is what I want to get back to... cycling, walking. Frightened right now. I know I need to get real and positive.

[Andyman in reply to Rugby46]

I started walking the day I got out of hospital. Cardiologist told me too. 400m. Next day 500m. It was all I could do. Everyday it increased. Soon was walking for an hour. Two hours next. Getting further and faster. One day I couldn't stop myself I started running up this hill. I have to tell you though this was 18 months later.

[Heartattackvictim]

You've done one of the hardest things and that's reaching out for help and advice. I would echo all the the replies. Whilst I've called myself a 'victim' in reality I'm a 'survivor' and you have to look forwards not backwards. Getting over the resentment, shock, unfairness etc of a HA is harder than I thought; well in fact I didn't realise I would even have such feelings.

So take it a step at a time. Use the BHF website - they have booklets on every conceivable aspect of heart attacks, heart conditions and treatments and that's a great official place to start along with using this forum.

Wish you well in your journey.

And Happy Christmas!

John

[Rugby46 in reply to Heartattackvictim]

Thank you. Yes, BHF website has been a great help in the last few days. Happy Christmas to you

[petetop]

Had my HA on 4 Nov, 3 days later had stent fitted and went home next day.First week did very little, then I started to have walks.

Now 8 weeks later I do 10 miles a day on excersize bike, and 3o minutes total using step ups.

First couple of weeks I would suddenly get very fatigued for no reason but wore off now.

My wife actually thinks I am less short of breath now than before when I am doing anything.

[Rugby46 in reply to petetop]

Thank you. I’m encouraged reading that you’re training well. Interesting about the breath piece. Others have said to me you will have a new lease of life

[Davala]

Hi Rugby46 my story is very similar to yours as i had a heart attack whilst cycling 2 days after my 55th birthday at the beginning of July and had a stent fitted. On the physical side i am now feeling fitter than i did before my HA and can now look forward to getting back on my bike in the new year but have found that i actually enjoy walking and listening to music. The mental side has been a bit more of a problem as i always thought that nothing like this would happen to me - but it did and i survived and the care from the NHS has been absolutely brilliant. Stay positive and good luck but make every day count.

[Rugby46 in reply to Davala]

Thank you. I can’t believe I carried on cycling and got home whilst it was happening! I will miss the cycling for a period but will do the walking. It’s the whole exercise piece that has get me mentally sane throughout lockdown

[Mareee12]

After some time you may almost forget you ever had one

[Rugby46]

Hi. Thanks for sharing your story. Glad to hear your positive thoughts. Amazing that you’re now tackling half marathons! 👍 Happy Christmas to you

[Rugby46]

Thanks for your story. It’s the mental shock that is so hard right now. I need to be positive....

[Rugby46]

Thanks. You are highly likely to be correct. Look forward to that moment 👍

[Pollypuss]

I have an in law who had her heart attack 10 years ago and now is 86 and plays a really mean game of table tennis and is very active she had a bypass

[Rugby46 in reply to Pollypuss]

Table tennis... never thought of that one 👍Maybe l’ll consider it if the cycling fails 😀

[MountainGoat52]

I think the key thing to remember is that your heart attack was caused by blocked arteries which have been / will be remedied by stents. Your heart was not the cause of the problem that you have experienced. This happened to me in 2017. I had stents and then in 2018 I had bypass surgery to provide a long term solution. My heart has been checked and there is minimal damage. Hopefully it will be the same in your case.

People still kindly ask about my heart, but my heart never has been the problem. I have to explain that the replumbing has provided the solution and that all is well. All my medication is aimed at preventing further problems. I was fit before my HA and was back climbing hills after 3 months. Similarly following my op I was back on the hills after 3 months. If it wasn't for the pandemic, I would be out on the hills now. Unfortunately there is little to provide a challenge locally, but I am still keeping fit waiting for the day when things are better and I can go further field. Keeping positive about one's health and the future is essential, so I wish you all the best in respect of this.

Kindest regards,

Gerald

[Rugby46 in reply to MountainGoat52]

Hi. Thanks for your reply. Very good point... it’s the plumbing at fault, not the heart. Thank you

[IgottaStent]

We are out here listening to you and welcome. Most of us have been surprised by their event . Why me is often the question we have when we reflect post event . The best answer I heard was when my older brother had his quadruple by pass after getting some chest pain walking up a hill near St Marys Hospital in London, He popped in as he thought he might get it checked and within 30 mins was blue lighted to Hammersmith hospital for a by-pass op as he was having a heart attack. When I saw my brother a few days after the op the surgeon was doing his rounds and said to me " are you family ? Do you smoke ? " I said I had never smoked . He said Genetics and smoking wipe the floor with every cause of heart attack." 75% of reason. So I assume we can look at our smoking choices and lifestyle but our genetics are mostly to blame. My stent event came along two year later. You can get back to fitness just get back your PMA.

[Rugby46]

Thanks for your note. I have since discovered that my Dad’s mother and his sister, both suffered with a HA. Genetics does appear to be key here. I will make sure my children understand and get themselves checked later in life.

[MountainGoat52 in reply to Rugby46]

I had several blood tests after my triple bypass op. Pathology at the local hospital found out that I had a high homocysteine level (hereditary) which probably was partly the cause of my blood clot, stress being the other factor. No history of smoking, no high alcohol usage, never taken any drugs (even in the 60s / 70s)..... and the treatment - Vitamin B. I was asked to let my siblings and children know, which I have. Taking over the counter Vitamin B Complete has had the required effect. 😀

[Rugby46]

That’s interesting and useful to know, thanks 👍