Very recent heart attack, home recuperation advice please

[Stevardobris]

Hi, I had a mild heart attack last Thursday, and had an angiogram yesterday which showed an 80% blockage in one of my smaller arteries. It is so small it can't be stented. I've been discharged and am now at home with medication. I attempted a small DIY job at lunchtime and now I have pain and shortness of breath again, not as badly as Thursday but it's still worrying. Should I be going back to hospital or is this an expected part of recovery?

[080311]

Hello Stevardobris.

Welcome to the forum, I think you were being a bit optimistic trying to do some DIY 6 days after heart attack and the day after angiogram. Your body as taken a big hit and needs time to recover. If you feel there is a problem let them look you over at A&E, just remember you need to recover. Having an angiogram is an invasive procedure and is the gold standard, and again body needs to recover.

Hope your recovery continues without anyone hiccups.

Best wishes Pauline

[Stevardobris in reply to 080311]

Thanks Pauline. My feet are up now and I'll be taking it much easier for a while I think.

[080311 in reply to Stevardobris]

That’s great, listen to your body if theses pains are there get them checked out. Remember you are now part of the Hearties family and there will be someone who will listen if you need to talk or lend a shoulder to lean on if that’s what you need.We have lots of different heart issues here, so someone will be always ready to help.

Pauline

[Hidden]

Hi,Definitely early days yet so just try hard to relax and take it really easy. Your body goes through quite a lot when you have a heart attack and also having g an angiogram is classed as a major procedure, ( so my cardiologist told me)!! I had a stent put in so.im guessing that's why!? Your body needs time to recover, so no heavy lifting or bending down!! Im 15 weeks o and still learning what I can and can't do!! Good luck

[Rose54]

Slow down I like you had HA 2 years ago no Stents only meds

I followed the advice same as for HA and stents

Resting and a short walk each day slowly building up to 30min a day

I slept a lot each afternoon as was so tired

Took ma 4 weeks before I felt fine but I had spent 10 days in Hospital waiting to be transferred to mainland for angiogram

Rose

[firstlight40]

Welcome. As a fellow DIYer I'd add to the comments here by asking you to take it easy. Your heart will be quite upset by the mild attack and the pain means you are doing too much. While an angiogram isn't invasive in the same way as a surgical procedure it's still stressful. Were you prescribed GTN spray to use under the tongue? If so, you should have been told about using it if you get chest pain, but calling 999 if it didn't work.

Also when you do get back to DIY you might find you get a lot of bruising from even doing small stuff. You will probably have been prescribed ticagrelor or clopidigrel, and low dose aspirin. One of the side effects of this combination is you will bleed more easily and get bruises easily.

[Stevardobris]

At the time of posting I had been discharged but my meds weren't ready so I had to go back to the hospital later to collect them. I have them all now, including GTN spray so will use that if things feel like they're kicking off again.

Thanks for the bruising/bleeding tip!

[Ruby300]

Hi sorry to hear you had heart attack I had a massive one in March I had a stent put in. I am still recovering. I was supposed to have rehab but because of the virus couldn’t have it but up to 3 wks ago I had a rehab nurse calling me he said you must do exercise like walking I am a Walker anyway but it does help. But for you I think you should get in touch with a doc to let them know because the nurse told me if you get any pain or you are out of breath you must seek professional help I have come a long way but I did it by myself so please get help from a doc. All the best to you.