Confidence

[Calemino]

Hi, I had a heart attack 6 weeks ago and had a stent fitted. I'm 74 and usually an active, positive woman but my self confidence seems to have taken a knock. Is this normal?

[Nettekin]

Hi Calemino, sorry to hear of your recent heart event and I would like to offer support as someone who has actually been through this. I had a heart attack and 2 stents in July 2019, which came completely out of left field. It is true that for some time after such an event every little niggle becomes a what if? and every twinge a cause for alarm. However, things do improve. You realise that twinges and niggles are just that - not the precursor to the next problem. You are still in the early days, so be good to yourself, take all the meds you are prescribed, eat well and exercise when you feel well enough. Obviously if you are concerned contact your GP / 999 as appropriate. I have found after a little time it is no longer the first thing I think about when I wake up or the last thing before I go to sleep at night.

I wish you all the best for your continued recovery. Hopefully others will be along soon who have actual experience who can give you some positive support. X

[Pollypuss]

You are bound to be in shock. I took up exercise after my by pass a year ago and it is a must because you will find you feel better than before . There are lots of good post op exercises on u tube which are monitored so you don’t over do it. I am off to tennis this morning at 77 and can’t wait

[Calemino in reply to Pollypuss]

It seems that exercise is the key to recovery, I look forward to becoming as positive and active as you are, Thankyou.

[Fynndog]

Hi calemino. I’m six months on from mine. 3 stents and I’m 69. I think all reason goes out if the window first few weeks. But as you get your strength back you start to feel less afraid , you learn to just live in the moment . There’s no point worrying about what if. Go onto the BHF cardio exercise program with the guidance if your cardio rehab team and gradually you will start to feel better. It is scary ( terrifying) but it will get better. Good luck and wishing you good health

[Calemino in reply to Fynndog]

Thankyou, I am sure that given time I will become more positive again, Thankyou also for your kind wishes.

[Misstibbs]

I think that’s quite normal and your body telling you to take it steady for a bit confidence will come good luck

[Calemino in reply to Misstibbs]

Thankyou for taking the time to answer me and your good wishes.

[gilreid1]

Would be interesting to hear how you recovered from your heart problems

[Beyah]

Hi Calemino. It's very early days for you and what your feeling is perfectly normal. My confidence level was zero for some time after my completely unexpected cardiac event. It's a huge shock to us. In time it gets easy and confidence levels climb back up. Just take one day at a time and be kind to yourself. Sending you a big hug. Good luck xx

[Calemino in reply to Beyah]

Thankyou for your advice, it's good to hear from someone who has experienced the same thing and knows exactly how I'm feeling. As you say, one day at a time!

[Qualipop]

Absolutely perfectly normal. You've just been hit with a sledgehammer telling you you are not immortal. It's an enormous shock and one the doctors just don't address. They literally fix your plumbing and send you home. I was 70 when I had mine and still struggling to face the fact that I was now 70 and older than my mum managed. You should have been contacted by cardiac rehab even though they are not doing face to face exercise yet. Have a good phone call to them and tell them your worries or phone the lovely BHF nurses. It's a shame because that exercise under supervision does more for your confidence than anything else. Look at it this way; your survived and are now in much better condition than you were before. You have a chance to change any things that may have caused it like smoking, diet or exercise- a second chance at life. I'm almost 3 years on now from mine and still get wobbles because I was told I have two more blockages, not quite bad enough to stent. My lovely GP just did a full check up for me to ease my worries but it still worries me to drive any distance alone. Start with short easy walks and slowly build up. The BHF has rehab exercises online. Enjoy your new life.

[Calemino in reply to Qualipop]

Thankyou for putting into words how I feel about things, I'm sure that once I start the exercise programme and get back to doing my garden I will gradually start to feel like me!

[080311]

Hello Calemino

When we have a heart issue it’s as if the ground as opened up under our feet. It takes time to fully get our heads round what as happened to us. Losing our self confidence I am afraid is par for the course, but with time we do get it back.

Learning to live the new normal can be challenging, taking daily medication, eating a healthy diet, and taking exercise.

I was 68 when I had open heart surgery Aortic valve replaced and bypass. 4 years on and I am living my life, very grateful to the medical team that gave me my life back.

Remember there is life after a heart event, just take it slowly, and you will get there.

Best wishes Pauline

[Calemino in reply to 080311]

Thankyou so much for your answer, it's good to hear positive thoughts.

[dnsblr]

Hi,

I had a heart attack in January 2020, (at 61) I was keeping cool and was very normal before I was taken to Cath lab for Angiogram. The Doctor found three blockage in two arteries and due to some confusion did not put stents. There after also I was normal until I reached home after fitting two stents.

At home, I felt weak, was not able to hold my grandson for more than 2-3 minutes. A small pain in chest was a cause of big worry. It took me a month's time to recover physically. psychologically, I recovered much faster as I kept reminding myself the words of my Doctor that I was 20years younger after operation.

Now, after one year, still sometime there is pain in chest but it does scare me now. I am regular in my medicines as advise by my Doctor. Always, keep myself away from negativity. Remind myself that "What happens to me is 10% but 90% is how do I react"

Wish you speedier recover. Be Positive, Be Happy.

[Calemino in reply to dnsblr]

Thankyou so much for taking the time to answer. I'm looking forward to being “myself “ again.

[Calemino]

Thankyou for answering me, I hope that I will be able to move forward quickly once I start the exercise programme and gain some of my confidence back.

[ETHEL103]

Totally. When my dad had a heart attack he was scared to go out alone. He felt safe in hospital. I went to the local shops when he came home so he felt a bit more secure. Gradually he was able to get back to normal. Keep going. You will get there.

[EmmyLaury12]

You will get there I promise because I did .

I felt exactly like you following HA last April -1stent like you .

It’s such a shock I was 63 and thought I was fit ! Just shows you that life is so

Unpredictable. It’s early days for you but honestly your confidence will

Come back it just takes time ,

Little steps xx

[Robbie1964]

What you are feeling is normal following a heart attack. This is where cardiac rehab would be very important, especially group exercise classes. Sadly, due to Covid, these have been halted. It would have given you the confidence to know you can do exercise while in a group setting which helps relax people.

Could you speak to your cardiac nurse to talk about how you are feeling? He or she should be able to suggest activities you can do that can help build up your confidence.

[Kappacino]

Yes it is normal, but six weeks is not long. Take things slowly follow advice on excercise and nutrition. Slowly and gradually build up what you are doing under advice and supervision. Dont think about what you could do, but what you are going to do. You'll be ok just take the time you need.