Seeking for morale support from fellow heart stent heroes!

[Sgdude]

Hello! I’m a 45 year old male had an angioplasty done last august. My road to recovery has been quite an emotional roller coaster ride. I’m seeking to make friends with people of the same condition, to share their day to day struggles and how they keep their motivation up. Sometimes, I feel ashamed and vulnerable of this condition and will be happy to get some form of real life success stories from people who walk the same path. Whether recently or not. Thanks heaps!!

[Golfgirl3]

Good morning. In major ways we're different - I'm female and considerably older than you but I too struggled with a feeling of shame. I had a heart attack, one stent, at the end of April 2020. Not overweight and a healthier than average lifestyle it was a huge suprise. So although we all know life isn't fair it can be difficult to deal with. My previous attitude to aches and pains had been to decide it'll be better tomorrow and press on with daily life. I hated the sudden obsession with my body and not knowing if I was supposed to ignore these new discomforts or if they were signs of something significant. I had worked in different sectors but my roles had always involved motivating and encouraging others - an excellent way to take your mind off your own problems but lockdown meant I was locked in my own head! However I feel great now. I'm dealing with the weight gained during lockdown, I've started swimming three times a week and I actively plan new walks so that I can see new things. Family will visit during the next few weeks so I've been researching new places for us to visit. I don't know what my magic wand was but I suspect a combination of taking control over what can be controlled, planning things to look forward to and a reduction in weird physical symptoms. Perhaps you need a little more time to come to terms with it.

[Sgdude in reply to Golfgirl3]

Hi golfgirl3! Thanks for your reply. Yes the feeling of vulnerability is much sometimes. I’m not ashamed to admit that I cry alot and every single twitch and discomfort will make me feel scared.

[Jules2021]

Hi. Had my heart attack 3 months ago one week before my 44th birthday. One stent put in and joined you on that emotional rollercoaster! Some days are awful and i could just sit and cry feeling sorry for myself, and others i just think right,get up and put ur big girl pants on🙂I do try to stay positive and think im still here for a reason so make every day count. I find getting out for a walk near the sea or in through the forest is very relaxing(even if i cant go very far just yet). x

[Sgdude in reply to Jules2021]

Hi jules2021! Thanks for your reply. Same here some days are really emotional while some days are good.

[Lonmayloon]

I first experienced angina in January 2011 and had a stent fitted to the LAD in March 2011. Now aged 63 and still ticking. Until lockdown skiing was my favourite winter sport with about 60-70 days skiing each season, sea kayaking in the summer. Since lockdown I've taken up running with the C25K program. I can definitely recommend that if you want to improve your outlook on your health for the future. The program starts at a very easy pace and you’ll be surprised with what you can achieve. There is also a vey helpful group on healthunlocked which will give you all the support you’ll need.All the best

[Sgdude in reply to Lonmayloon]

Hi there! Thanks for your message. Do u happen to know the name of the group you mentioned? I like to reach out to them.

[Lonmayloon in reply to Sgdude]

Hi Sgdude, the group on HealthUnlocked is called Couch to 5K. If you don’t know anything about it, it is a program started first by the NHS I think. The aim is to get you from being completely inactive to being able to run for 30 minutes without stopping. You do 30 minutes exercise three times a week. At the start it is mostly walking with short periods of running. After nine weeks it is 30 minutes non stop running. There is an App for your phone which gives all the timing and motivation as you progress. If I can give any advice at the start:Don’t try to skip forward weeks

Don’t try to run fast

Always observe the rest days

If any niggles crop up, slow down or take an extra rest day.

Best of luck

[Forestdweller]

Hi I’m nearly a year post angio and stent, I’m 39, I found it very hard to come to terms with it all! and really , only in the last couple of months I have felt like I can carry on living without it on my mind all the time. I’m still adjusting to being more careful, like with the heat this week, it would have never bothered me before, but now I’m more aware I need to take good care of myself, stay well hydrated, eat properly and try and keep cool. It all messed with my head a lot and had panic attacks and depression the lot. Thankfully I’m feeling a lot better now. It’s a lot to get you head round and a Lonely place to be when you are still technically young. I also felt really ashamed until my cardio doc said the average age for heart attacks and having arteries being blocked was 40! Your still here, still alive and kicking, and in a better position knowing and having had treatment too. It’s a club no one wants to be in though

[Sgdude in reply to Forestdweller]

Hello forest dweller! Thanks for your reply and message. I guess we are having a similar experience. Even the slightest odd feelings or any form of discomfort my mind will go on an overdrive and relate it to a HA. It's crazy. I'm feeling alot better lately and thanks to messages from this forum such as yours. I certainly hope we can stay in touch to keep each other motivated. Cheers!

[Merch03]

Hi

I am 53 male and 3 weeks since HA and one stent at present. Totally in tune with you. Mine came as a shock as others have shared I considered myself in good shape physically. Mentally prior to HA I have always battled anxiety which at times would win spectacularly!

Having goals help as other replies have mentioned. I do know staying in the moment is paramount and concentrating on breathing will help. Excessive thinking about the future and the past certainly is a trigger for me. Connecting with nature and volunteering are great examples of staying grounded and in the present.

All the best. You are doing well 👍

[Sgdude in reply to Merch03]

Hi mercy03, thank you for your kind wishes and messages.

[Stentrunner]

I had stents a year ago following angina. I’d been pretty fit and walking every day. This condition doesn’t take any notice of age or fitness!I was determined I wasn’t going back for more. I was really quite obsessive about getting fitter - I followed the BHF rehab videos religiously then switched to a rowing machine and then did Couch to 5k last Autumn. I was back in hospital for emergency surgery at Easter (not heart related) and I’m just starting Couch to 5k all over again. I think you have to be quite stubborn about this, not letting it define you.

Decide what you want to do, to be. And just do it.

[Sgdude in reply to Stentrunner]

Hi there! Wow what an inspiration. Your last sentence rings true. That's my motto lately. Thanks again! I hope we could keep in touch.

[Joyce64]

I am so glad i came across this forum. I am a 57 yr old female that had two stents fitted on July 2021. Came as a great shock as I was not overweight and relatively fit! Still getting my head around it but share all the same feelings reported here...shame, anxiety, shock, depression. I do get concerned as I keep getting niggling pains around chest area, but doesn't feel like angina. Seems to appear on right side of breast bone also. Am hoping its still just bedding in pains following angioplasty. They dont last long and are not severe...but it makes me worry that the stents are not working. But i am trying to be positive and getting back into hiking/ walking again. You have all helped me realise i am not alone in how i am adjusting to the fact i have heart disease.

[dtl85]

hi there. I was 33 when I had a heart attack and for the first 2 years I literally did nothing just over thinking of it happens again. it's hard to sink in with us only being 33. but now back powerlifting almost 3 years since heart attack.

[Tilly62]

Hi it can be a very frightening time for you I had first stent in June 2020 during lockdown came as a massive shock to me as I always exercised did spin classes 3 x a week as well walked miles gym swim etc been a veggie for 33 years I struggled for ages with anxiety 9 months later had another stent next to the first one as it wasn’t big enough apparently 😒 back in this Tuesday for more than likely another stent this time on the other side my LAD it can be hard to understand why but I have accepted it is what it is with me I live a healthy lifestyle so I can’t do anymore than that but I feel lucky in another was as I know they can fix me and the ate keeping an eye on my problem and with medication hopefully no more problems 👍 keep looking after yourself and know that they will keep monitoring you take care and it’s good to know we are not alone this group has helped me emotionally xx good luck with your recovery 👍