My Dad had a heart attack

[KT001]

Hello, last Tuesday (4/4/21) my Dad (74) suffered a heart attack, before arriving at the hospital he had to have his heart restarted twice. He was fitted with 5 stents and placed on various medications and was told that his heart was badly diseased but he was not told that he had heart failure. Thankfully he was able to leave on Saturday, however, since he has been quite tired, to the point that from the late afternoon he is easily falling and staying asleep for quite some time. I know this may sound silly but how normal is tiredness after a heart attack?

Also, today during a slow short walk he felt some chest pain, we sat and waited for it to pass which it did after around 5-10 mins, but again how normal is this? He was not prescribed any of the GTN spray as the cardiologist felt this was not needed but I am wondering whether he actually should have it? My Mum and I just need a little reassurance as we have been unable to receive any kind of support elsewhere and my Dad is a little stubborn (well a lot stubborn) and would rather not contact the doctors to ask these Q's.

Any advice, answers or shared experiences are welcome.

Thank you,

A stressed and concerned daughter.

[RufusScamp]

Some medications cause tiredness, but his body has had a huge shock, and it is bound to have an effect. I know healthy people of his age that need an afternoon nap. He sounds to be doing quite well if it's only just over a week!There is lots of useful information on the main BHF website, but his doctor or cardio team are the best people to ask for advice.

[Hidden]

Try contacting the cardiac nurses via the BHF.org.uk website for advice (mon-fri)

[Gazza407]

Hi there my wife is recovering from heart attack and fitting of a stent and is also on quite a bit of medication she often is tired and has a nap but yes contact your doctor or cardio nurse and tell them your concerns.Your father sounds as though he been through quite a lot in short time and it’s early days .Tell him to listen to his body and if he needs to rest so be it.Hope this helps you in a time whe it’s very stressing but I’m sure nice and steady he will get stronger and fitter.Take care and look after yourself too

[Maisie2014]

I’m 70 and I’m still very tired in the afternoon. I was 68 when I had my heart attack and one stent fitted. I was very fit before and now find everything difficult to do. Acceptance and worry about it can wear him out. He’s had a lot to deal with. Give him time. The cardiac rehabilitation nurses are very helpful and will be able to advise him. Maybe his meds need tweaking as mine have been from time to time. It’s remarkable how stressful it is having family worrying about me and that tired me out so try not to worry. Take care.

[Hidden]

Hi, I'm also in the 5 stents club. It's normal to be tired and fall asleep a lot. It's also normal to get chest pains. The stents seem to settle in. He must not be afraid to use his gtn spray and to call 999 if it persists. If the pain goes after using the gtn then I've found you can be pretty sure it was angina. I'm 2 years on and things are much more settled now 👍😊

[KT001 in reply to Hidden]

Hi, thank you for your response. I am glad to hear things are more settled for you now. My dad was not prescribed any of the spray, which we did find a little strange but his doctor felt it was not needed. Maybe they will change their minds over time.

[-007-]

Hi there,Your dad has gone through a bit hasn’t he.

I too had a heart attack and five stents but I was 10 years younger. I suffered tiredness and “odd” feelings in my chest but I soon recovered after a week or two. I had to increase the distance I could walk bit by bit, each day I walked a little further. If I over did things I had to rest.

I never got back to the health I was before the heart attack but it didn’t spoil my life, it was just different.

I was also told that I had severe heart disease (that’s the arteries blocking up).

It’s also the emotional roller coaster that can also knock you for six and that alone can make you tired as can the medication.

But, and it’s a big “But”, if you’re at all unsure of anything, anything at all, you must seek advice.

I think all us Hearties would all agree that it’s important to check anything that’s bothering you with the cardio team, doctor or the BHF nurses.

I would say that most people after having stents are fine for life but in my case 10 months later I started getting angina again and two years after having stents I had a quintuple bypass (CABG x 5).

So it’s wise to listen to your body.

On a brighter note, currently my wife and I have put a deposit down on a motorhome and are currently planning around three weeks touring Scotland. There is life after a heart attack.

By the way - I used to carry my GTN everywhere after my stents and when I started to have angina again I was glad I did!

Hope that’s helped and please give my best wishes to your dad.

==================

My name is Bond, James Bond and I take my Asprin shaken not stirred 🍸

[KT001 in reply to -007-]

Thank you so much for your reply, it is reassuring to see things can continue! I do hope you keep well. My dad was not prescribed any of the spray, which we found a little strange but I may encourage him to inquire again about it.

[Flummoxedlou]

Hello, As Rufus said, your dad has had a HUGE assault on his body, both with the heart attack and the resus and treatment. Having a nap is a good thing, in fact the more he sleeps the better, as the body will be making repairs while he is asleep. A week is almost nothing in terms of recovery from heart attack, the fact he went for a walk is brilliant. I couldn't walk anywhere except to the bathroom and back window for a few weeks. Being tired is par for the course. If the heart is damaged then its function will be reduced and will take time to readjust to working with less oxygen pumping through it. Tiredness is entirely normal, as is cold hands and feet, while the heart concentrates on supplying the main organs. Stents leave a lot of us with all sorts of aches and pains as they settle, I was told it would be three months before they really settle down and I still get neck pains 5 months after a very damaging HA. So, it is early days yet. Don't expect too much and allow your dad lots of time to rest, don't go too far from home on trips out so he can get back and rest. One tip I have is; do ten minutes activity then rest, ten minutes, then rest. Tell him to pace himself and give time a chance to work it's magic. Wish him all the best from me, and tell him to stop being obstinate and call the rehab team, they are wonderful and totally there for us hearties, so that we can ask the relevant questions, get reassured, have a cry to, and, most of all, get us better after a really tough time.