2nd Heart Attack

[Twobells]

I was on this forum a fair bit in 2017 after a HA and triple bypass. A year after this I was diagnosed with unstable angina. By 2019 I was struggling with breathlessness and began cardiac rehab at home. My life started to improve and although my fitness levels where not where they use to be I felt my life was going in the right direction. Then two weeks ago I had a 2nd HA another silent one. Although they said this was a small heart attack it has done more damage than the one in 2017. I know have muscle damage in the left ventricular and have 44% ejectory heart failure. I am absolutely gobsmacked as this 4th artery was picked up back in 2017, but they decided it was too small to stent. Then in 2019 began having lots of angina attacks, followed angiogram it was decided it was to small to stent and treatment was medication. Move on to 4th August in CCU after HA. Angiogram performed 10 days later, same small artery, but this time a balloon was inserted to somehow stop the clot . I have no idea why this treatment wasn't performed in 2019 or even back in 2017. Could this have prevented this latest event. I am so upset as I am now facing a tougher future. Feel totally confused and don't seem to get the answers I need. Now on a whole new regime of meds which make me feel like crap. Totally exhausted trying to do this 5 minute walk advice is ridiculously hard, but I am so breathless and then just been told cardiac rehab is via utube. Just need prop0ing up, I can feel my PTSD slowly creeping back into my life. It's OK fixing the medical side of heart problems, but I need someone to fix my head and mental well-being.

[Milkfairy Heart Star]

I am so sorry to hear that you have had another heart event.

Are you able to speak to the Cardiologist who performed the latest procedure?

There maybe no answer. Cardiology is fast moving sometimes. With new techniques being introduced and skills learned in a short space of time. What can be done today not possible even a few years ago.

Many of us feel our mental wellbeing is being neglected.

No heart patients in my hospital has has any support for over a year.

The Cardiac Psychologist at my local Trust was redeployed to care for the hospital staff during the pandemic.

They are still not back in post.

Is your GP able to help sign post you to some counselling support?

I hope you are able to find the support you need soon.

[Alison_L in reply to Milkfairy]

Morning, Milkfairy. There's a Cardiac Psychologist in your Trust? I didn't know such people existed. Since my cardiologist diagnosed me with PTSD, I assume there isn't one where I am!

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to Alison_L]

Unfortunately not enough Trusts have Cardiac Psychologists in post.

I found out about the service myself. My then Cardiologist didn't even know about the service 😠

Perhaps ask one of the Cardiac Rehab nurses?

My present Cardiologist referred me to the pain management clinical psychologist last May for my PTSD........still waiting.

Still no Cardiac Psychologist in post either.

It's really difficult to get help.

I searched for help elsewhere.

For me as I live with Refractory angina I found an app Curable for people living with chronic pain.

It's not ideal but better than nought.

[Alison_L in reply to Milkfairy]

3 years ago it was my cardiac rehab that sent me for CBT (which was useless for me), so I assume there was no psychologist then. But I'll ask when I see them next week. Covid will have stretched all mental health teams to the limit, so it's possible, like yours, that staff will have been redeployed away from specific roles like cardiac.

[Chappychap]

This is such sad news. I remember you from when I first joined after my own bypass operation, you were one of the veterans who'd already trod the bypass path!

I hope you have a good recovery and can soon recover your mobility.

[Twobells in reply to Chappychap]

I remember you also, how are you doing?

[Retirement65]

Hello so sorry you have had all these problems you must be so tired physically and mentally there is no answer really as to why the stent wasn’t done originally in 2017 we rely on what we are told and hope for the best but I think when you have talked this through perhaps with the rehab team and have ongoing conversations with them somebody that is going to guide you properly you should start to feel better I hope you do my very best wishes to you stay strong xx

[francesw47]

I'm so sorry to hear of these recent events. You may like to talk to your GP about your mental wellbeing. I agree, the physical side of things are dealt with but the emotional often neglected. NHS services are overstretched at the moment, but most Improving Access to Psychological Therapies teams now offer support to those who have had cardiovascular problems....please ask your GP if he/she can refer. Waiting times are long, I'm afraid and you may want to consider private therapy (many organisations offer low cost therapy).

[PeterpPiper]

Keep taking the tablets, you will adapt to them, side effects usually drop off and you left with the benefits. you will build and grow from your current state, it’s tough but life has beauty. . I’m just watching two sparrows eating some scraps - nothing can take those moments away.

[Jules2021]

Hi. Sorry to hear you have had a rough time lately again. After my heart attack in April i felt the same, due to covid no real face to fsce support and faced a lengthy wait for referred counselling. Luckily i was already a member of a local mental health group and they immediately set up some sessions for me when i needed it. Still have a lot of questions though as my 12 week consultant appointment(via telephone) was cancelled. I have had counselling before and it was arranged through Lifeline who were a lot quicker than gp referral. The number is 08088088000. They will have a good chat on the phone with you initially and find someone local to you for sessions if you want.

All the best. Julie

[MountainGoat52]

I am really sorry to hear that you were not fully "fixed" the first time and that you have had another HA. It seems to me that in the main the NHS does tend to focus on the short term and dealing with the small artery that needed stenting back in 2017 probably at the time presented more risk than perceived benefit. Unfortunately in your case this short termism has had serious repercussions.

My own case bucked the trend in that I had stents in 2017 when I had a HA, but the doctor performing the routine then referred me for further treatment and I was offered surgery. My surgeon told me that he would bypass not only two arteries that were showing signs of narrowing, but also bypass my stents. He estimated that while stenting the narrowed arteries would give me 10 years without the need for further intervention, a bypass would take that out to at least 25 years and would also save the NHS money in the longer term.

I have learnt that keeping a positive attitude is extremely important in recovering from a heart event. You have been dealt a raw deal and I can see that the issues with the new medication are compounding the situation. As has been said, you may benefit from counselling. Certainly the support of those around you will be extremely important. I would also let the cardiac team know about the medication issues that you are experiencing with a view to getting the medication changed to suit you. Having worked my way through numerous drugs to eventually get to what suits me, I certainly do not subscribe to the "you will get used to it" theory. Medication is supposed to make you feel better, not worse.

My very best wishes for the future. I hope and pray that the situation will improve for you very soon.

Gerald

[Qualipop]

I would be feeling very much likeyou. After my heart attack I was diagnosed with two blockages around 64% which they refused to treat. I accepted their decision but have been left wondering if and when it could happen again and cause more damage. I'd feel a lot better and less worried if I'd had some sort of follow up or checks.

[EmmyLaury12]

Hi Twobells

Sorry to hear your news . I think after one HA your MH suffers but having two I can’t imagine how you are feeling.

I had HA in April 2020 and still

Suffering from MHissues surrounding post HA.

I think councelling would help like others have said perhaps GP too I know my Gp was very good post HA .

I hope you soon feel better we are here if you need to talk 🤞🤞🤞for a full recovery ,

Sheila x