Hi,
2 1/2 weeks since my HA and for some reason today I have been really emotional. This is another new experience for me and I have no idea what triggered it, it should have been a good day as I had the best night's sleep since my HA and I heard from the Cardiac Rehab Nurse for the first time.
But since then I have been in bits and I am not usually emotional at all.
Hi Carl Sorry to hear your feeling down , i haven't been in your position as far as heart attack , but since being told i may have heart failure and all the other crap that goes with heart disease i get them days too , i think I'm doing ok and trying to be positive , i get to bed start thinking and the tears flow , i shouldn't feel sorry for myself i know especially as there are guys like you who have really been through the mill , do you have family around to talk to ? x
Dear Carl. Don't worry about it - there will be plenty more days where you aren't emotional, and yes there will be days, or times, when you are.
I am nearly six months since my cardiac arrest and subsequent (unplanned!) heart bypass. I'm 46, went for a run on new year's eve and collapsed while stretching after 3km. Luckily, a GP was taking a 'lockdown walk' with his wife and saved my life. Everything has been a huge shock - going from seeing myself as a fit, healthy man to being someone with heart problems, recovering from the bypass surgery, adjusting to taking pills everyday.
I have found myself to be much more emotional since this happened to me. It's a combination of things: coming to terms with the fact that life has changed, deep deep humility and gratitude for all the help and support I've received from strangers in saving my life and from loved ones in supporting me through this. And also much stronger feelings of empathy I suddenly feel towards people going through these sorts of challenges.
My advice is to try and accept that you will have days when you feel good physically and emotionally, and days where things may be tougher. Talk to someone you trust about how you feel as you try and process this - for me it was my partner. We have had some of the most open and honest conversations ever, and have grown so close through this. Consider working with a psychologist or therapist if you find things really difficult. On the advice of my GP I have started the process of counselling, and am finding the process really helpful. Finally, try and focus on the positive - remind yourself how you are improving week by week, and how you've received a tremendous gift.
Keep at it! All the best.
Hi there Carl,I had my HA 10 weeks ago and 3xperiencex the exact same as you.
The whole thing takes alot of processing and getting used to.
You've had on hell.of a fright!! A HA is something I never thought I would have, but I did!! Its scary!!! Even though we've survived thete is still thst feeling of things never going to be the same again? Wondering what each twinge or feeling in the chest means, when we never thought like that before. Perhaps being a bit scared/ apprehensive to over do things?
All these feelings are completely normal, and being weepy for ko particular reason is normal too. Things will settle down, and before long you will feel stronger. Just try to be kind to yourself and stay strong. You will get through this
Thank you Doora
Hi. I had a HA IN 2008. Caused by a blood clot from a back injury. It hit me like a ton of bricks. The emotional side and how your feeling is to be expected. But at least we have both survived and we have the best people looking after us. I have been on meds ever since and had no problems. Got a problem with a valve now which I know can be sorted. But I have the same days as you. The people on here are fantastic. You are not on your own. You can post in here whenever you want and message me if you want as well. It takes time. You have had a big physical and emotional shock. Ride with it. There will be all sorts of days. But it will get better. Take good care.
Buy yourself a toy .. I do that, you deserve it. Could be anything, I’m into radio so buy something related to that which cheers me up .. it takes your mind off health ::))) DO It 
The kindness of others got to me. When our next door neighbour offered to do my lady's shopping while I was in hospital, I cried like a baby. When my auntie offered to help with bills while I was off work I cried like a baby.I'm not a crier but it's perfectly normal. We've all been through a hell of a lot and it can be overwhelming. I just cried it out and got on with life.
Hi Carl 1167.It is very early days into your recovery and perfectly normal for you to be riding the emotional rollercoaster. I still have bad days and mine was over a year ago.
I start everyday by catching up with this forum and it helps to know it's not just me going through this scary journey . Take it one day at a time and be kind to yourself. Someone is always here to help and support you.
Hi Carl .. I've noticed in life that I get emotional when the stress is at an end...not during it. Perhaps it's time to be thinking more about you than about the op. Hang in there....so good to talk about how you feel..
Hi Carl,The emotional side is a funny one - I found it crept up one me like vines you don't notice growing. It has been difficult to sort through the issues of heart related problems. Here's my experience of emotions and my thoughts around it..... I hadn't felt great for a while and had some tests, ultimately concluding with angiography (no stenting needed). The cardiologist write-up "significant evidence of atherosclerosis, multi focal points of atheroma, moderate narrowing of the LAD" delivered with the demeanour of Mr. Spock.
My heart is my life engine.
My lifestyle choices have endangered my being.
I have failed myself (now feeling sorry for myself).
Lie in bed at nights, "why am I FEELING my heart beats soooo much?!" Anxious.
I must do everything I can to stop things getting worse (lost 8st, new healthy lifestyle 🙂).
Lie in bed at nights, "why am I FEELING my heart beats soooo much?!" Anxious.
I have a ticking bomb in me, what I've done to myself is unforgivable
My outlook for myself changed - not looking/planning too far ahead as I may not be around to enjoy it.
I spent a fearful year after which the anxiety and lack of sleep became so bad I sought some counselling during which I was in uncontrollable floods of tears - something that needed to come out.
I've learnt to be kind to myself and forgive myself.
There are still odd days I feel blue, but less so and moving on with living my life.
Hope my experience and resolution can be of help.
I was fine in hospital, fine at home for about 2wks . Then it went quiet , then you have more time to think, you don't want to bother family and friends...then BAM the realisation hits you ! Then I found these wonderful people on here . They have pulled me through , I find you can't really talk to the experts as they are more busy getting you ahead . I have asked the most ridiculous questions on here but always met with heartfelt concern . Stay strong 💪
Hi CarlWe all get feelings of vulnerability even the fittest of people. But if you compare yourself to those who don’t get a second chance you are already a winner it’s hard I know but wasting time over something that didn’t have the effect it can should give you a sense all will be well. I did not have a HA but system completely shut down the doctors were in disbelief when I came back that was 9 years ago and getting stronger every day 71 this year looking forward to 102 the day I have agreed to depart this mortal coil. Also if you have family think of the effect you are having on them be bright and breezy live in the moment there is no greater or safer place to be. Good fortune and long life to you.
Same here had my second HA on the 21 may 2021 first 23 march 2019 2 days after my mums funeral I was emotional after speaking to the Heart nurse for the first time some stuff is not good to hear.
But did all asked of me for the first one, know it will get better.
take care and try not to push yourself to hard its a learning curve.
Today i feel angry that it has happened to me again, but sitting in the garden and finding things that i can do makes it easier
🙂
I get like this every now and again nearly a year to the day of my heart attack. Been hospitalised thro phantom pains that were exactly those of the ha about 6 times thro fear of it happening again. Luckily they wasn't but the docs have suggested I have a form of PTSD from the horrible day. My anxiety creeps up at random times bringing it all back and it's taken a while but I'm learning to control it knowing that, tbh, I'm less likely of a recurrence as the docs have been inside my heart and stented the relavent part, and also checked the rest of me whilst they were in there, and told me that what occurred would be years away if ever. Its hard to get it out of the mind tho eh, your head and body can play cruel tricks. Try contact your old cardiac rehab person, I missed out on all rehab (apart from one phonecall per week) due to covid closures and I've had to work it out myself 😕 waking up each day is a bonus tho right. Hope you find an answer of some kind
HA 4 days after second jab
2 days on from Angiogram
Early days advice after heart attack 
Counting down the days till the op. 
How my AVR is going so far - day 7
