Relieved and concerned

Hi I'm Stewart. I had a "Mild" heart attack two weeks ago resulting in one stent implant. I am obviously concerned for the future as stress played a major part with situations that I am powerless to change. So in the meantime I have set in motion a plan to change what I can through both diet and exercise.

[fedupoffeelingtired]

Hello. I had a ha and one stent in 2019. At the time I thought my life was over that I'd never be the same again. I was scared, lost and confused. I had to learn to take it easy and let my body recover, and get back to normal slowly. Cardiac rehab and my cardiac nurse were big helps. Well done for already making a plan to change things. This forum is great you will find lots of help and advice.

[Hidden in reply to fedupoffeelingtired]

Thanks for a great reply and reassurance. My doc said to think of it as a tap on the shoulder but at the time I too was scared stiff

[fedupoffeelingtired in reply to Hidden]

It's a big kick up the backside. We have a family history of heart Disease. I thought I was doing enough to protect myself. Iook at it as a second chance, put yourself first. It will get easier

[Hidden in reply to fedupoffeelingtired]

More good advice fortunately no family history which seems to be a big factor, dad passed at 80 after 60 cigs a day ALL his life and mum still going strong at 97!

[MountainGoat52]

Hi Stewart,

Your situation sounds very much like mine back in 2017. Stress was the catalyst for my HA in combination with a previously unknown hereditary factor. One blood clot removed and two stents later I saw it as a wake up call. Thereafter I took a somewhat different attitude to work and wound down to retirement in 2020.

Naturally there are still issues in everyday life that cause stress. I find that I have developed a method of limiting this which can be annoying to others when I say enough is enough or that I will deal with whatever requires action whenever I can.

The key thing to recovery is to remain positive. I am pleased to see you are putting in place things to improve your life, but please do try to limit the stress aspect as much as you can as it is so important.

Best regards,

Gerald

[Hidden in reply to MountainGoat52]

Hi Gerald thanks for your response and your advice!Stewart

[Sizzlerman in reply to Hidden]

Like people say just think of it as an MOT and you've had your big end done and it's been a success. Enjoy life, there will be changes but for the better 'YOU' , enjoy life.

[-007- in reply to Sizzlerman]

Hahaha I’ve had my big end done and I’m feeling pretty good… now if only I could get my pistons sorted I’d be a happy man 🤪

[shopman in reply to -007-]

Nothing like being piston and happy.

[-007- in reply to shopman]

😳😂😂😂😂

[DCIHarry]

I had a very similar situation to your self in Jan 2020 - stress induced HA followed by one stent.

The great news is that you are still here and now have an opportunity to change things for the better.

Maybe think of it this way. Mechanically you have just been fixed and have passed your MOT.

Having said that you have been through a traumatic, significant and life altering event, so take the time you need to recover, ... because it will take time, ... but there is life after a HA.

Going forward be positive and focus on managing the manageable - listen to your cardiac rehab team (they will be fantastic), take your medication, when you are ready take regular exercise (a very big part of your recovery).

Finally don’t underestimate the impact on your mental health. Talk to people you trust and if necessary seek professional help.

This is the part I personally struggled with the most, constantly dwelling on very negative “what if it happens again” scenarios, ... but with the right help I have got that back under control.

Hope this helps and gives you some reassurance.

[Shockedwithstent]

Hello & welcome to the broken heart club 😜 I had a ha in jan2019 and learnt one thing - stress is what maybe the cause of it all, I have always been healthy and exercise 4-6 times per week. Just remember to put yourself first (it’s hard I know) and try meditation & yoga it’s important to change. Stop worrying and take each day as it comes. As for diets, think before u reach for that sweet desert, keep away from saturated fat (below 1%). Just remember. I believe people with heart disease have a sensitive, delicate body and we need to take extra care

Best of luck 🤞 🙏

[Hidden in reply to Shockedwithstent]

Thank you for such great support in your message!

[Bigheart58]

Hi Stewart, welcome to the group. I had a similar experience last year although my HA wasn’t so mild and I also suffered two cardiac arrests subsequently.

The way I see it is that we are the lucky ones. We survived to tell the tale! I have also done as much as I can to change my lifestyle through diet, exercise and stress reduction. I can tell you that it works.

Just keep reminding yourself that you are more in control of events than you think and make sure that your health and wellbeing are your number one priority. Seek professional help where appropriate and you will be amazed how much better you will feel in a few months.

Best of luck!

[richard_jw]

It looks like you had what they call an NSTEMI. Basically the coronary artery was not completely blocked. If so, that's good news. It means that any damage to the heart muscle is minimal or there is none. I had a STEMI which meant that the Right coronary artery which supplies blood to the heart muscle was completely blocked, and part of the heart muscle died. It came out of the blue, and I am not overweight, have never smoked, and don't drink a lot.

I walked most days, and did a lot of gardening.

I attribute the MI to stress. large amounts of adrenaline with nowhere to go apart from forming plaques on artery walls.

Your mild heart attack is a clear warning

[Prada47]

Hello I had a HA in1982 and Bypass Surgery in 2015 and a Stent into the Bypassed LAD in 2018 so there can be a future to look forward to !! One thing I would add is don't change your life to much that can cause stress to.

Just pop the meds as far as I understand they won't make you better but will help protect you !!!

You will get used to living with what has happened and there is no reason for it to happen again. I have lived with mine for almost 40 years and I still enjoy life and look forward to living quite a bit longer yet.

Vaccinated Hands Face Space to keep safe

[Edsonmontibeller in reply to Prada47]

Hey, did you have stent put in in 1982 and then another just in 2015, it means you stayed 33 years without doing and procedures and that middle time ? And do use statins for nearly 40 years ?

[Prada47 in reply to Edsonmontibeller]

HelloIn 1982 Stents didn't really happen !!! I was discharged and went back about 2 months later for an angiogram. I was told I had a Total but Distil Occlusion of the Left and Right Stenotic Artery and sent on my way.

I never took as much as an Aspirin for the next 33 years I did work abroad a lot so I suppose not on a Drs radar ( now that may have been a good thing )

In 2015 I was seeing the Dr for something I can't remember what but she said you seem a little short of breath lets have an ECG so a surgery ECG followed. She looked at it and said that's not quite right I will fax it to Cardiology. Dept at the ARI. So after the Bruce Protocol, Echocardiogram and another ECG Cardiologist said I needed an Angiogram to see what was going on in the back of my heart.

After the Angiogram the results said possible to fix with stents, 20 minutes later after some Multi Discipline reviews I was told I needed surgery. Now when the Cardiologist said " I will put you to the Surgeon with the shortest list " That did wake me up LOL

After surgery the Surgeon just said sorry nothing I can do with your Right Coronary Artery it is 100% blocked !! Everything else went OK

2018 another Cardio looked and said I needed a couple of stents in the LAD which had been bypassed so lets go ahead !!! So Done

I know I have about 18% of my Heart has no blood supply which gives me an Ejection Fraction of 40 % classed as Moderate Heart Failure, but I pop the Meds and get on with life I am 74 this year but think and act like a Teenager. I pop max Entresto and Bisoprolol, Statins Aspirin, Omeprazole, Eplenerone and 4 X 330ml San Migeuls ( around twice a week ) that's probably a fib it's more like 3 times a week in Summer.

Hope my journey helps you to know there is still a life to ENJOY even with Heart Conditions .

Vaccinated Hands Face Space to Stay Safe

[Hidden]

Hi Stuart! I’m three weeks since my ha, two stents and a balloon, I’m 53 years old females don’t like you did not expect this to happen to me . The shock and the changes you have to make are frightening aren’t they. This group however is a godsend

[JK5AEO]

Same for me about 5 years ago. Stress is the worst thing. The best remedy I've found is: be kind to yourself, don't rush or overdo things. Slowly slowly slowly, without feeling guilty. Don't be scared either.

[-007-]

Hey there Stewart,It’s a worrying time for you right now isn’t it!

As you go through the journey of life with heart disease you’ll see that there are a lot of people traveling that same journey with you. Take comfort from the fact that many of them have been on that journey for many, many years and they still enjoy life.

You’re in one of the best systems in the world for coronary issues and that’s the NHS. That’s something else to take comfort from.

You’ve already started to put into place the diet and exercise and that’s a great start.

We spent a lot of time, and still do, learning what’s good for you to eat.

Last night I had a beef casserole (some would say "shock horror" 😱) but I threw in some cooked chestnuts in the gravy, baby boiled potato’s, steamed runner beans and carrots. Lovely 😊 a nice glass of red to wash it down.

There is life after a heart attack. Just not the same, maybe.

We all get low from time to time but we must try not to get stressed. Easier said than done I know.

But I’ve learned to use the no stress rule to my advantage…

I’m going to share with you now the biggest secret of having had a heart attack… The Heart Card. 🫀

It’s the greatest thing ever. Whenever family starts to go onto me for something I say "sorry I’m getting stressed and you know I’m not to get stressed" hahahah works every time.

I know that one day they’ll catch on 😳 but until that day I’m going to make the most of it 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

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

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[PippaBlue6]

Hi Stewart, I posted a few days back and was overwhelmed with the response. You will find how supportive people are and listen to their words of wisdom. I wish you well and well done for taking control and seek help with the stress, I know I will be. Good luck.

[Hidden in reply to PippaBlue6]

Thank you so much!

[Edsonmontibeller]

Hey do you have stent for 30 years? How manny ? And do you use statins for 30 years ? Thanks

[Hidden in reply to Edsonmontibeller]

That’s not me !

[Grayjay in reply to Hidden]

Sorry Labrador74, it looks like you've been hijacked. I've taken my post off.

[Edsonmontibeller]

Sorry asking, but, did you have any problems after putting stents in this same stents or not ? And after taking statins do you still have HA?

[Edsonmontibeller]

Have you made angiogram to check how is your calcium score ? And are you diabetic or have hypertension ?

[Edsonmontibeller]

And you take any vitamins ?

[Brad08]

Hi Stewart, I had mild chest pain two weeks ago and was taken in as a precaution, 2 stents later I was sent home with the news I had had a small ha, I need to go back in a month for another stent. Like you my job is very stressful and added to the year we have had I was not in a good place. I am worried about work, even thinking about it makes me tense up so I need to rethink that job but the thought of a new job or no job keeps me awake. I do not think I will be able to do my job or that they will keep me on.

But I feel lucky, a good friend of mine died from a massive ha leaving 3 kids without a mom. I do believe in the power of positive though and we must stay positive, you are not alone and there is a lot of support out there. If you hear of any tips let me know.

[Cycling16]

I would not get too hung up thinking that it is stress that is behind much of this. For my mind that is just a convenient way for people to explain what has happened. We all have stress, it is just making sure that we do not use this as an excuse not to exercise, smoke, eat pizza all the time etc etc.

My HA - a few weeks before you - was NSTEMI and I have been stented. For me it was classic high cholesterol gently furring things up over a long period of time. I exercise, have never smoked, eat sensibly and have BMI in the green. However, it has happened and the drugs will stop it happening again. I am gradually getting back to normal and take it as the warning that others have said. As time passes you will dwell on it less.

[Hidden in reply to Cycling16]

More great advice thanks!