Help in deciding when to return to work

[Ewloe]

4 months ago I had a STEMI. arrested just as got to hospital. Had a stent fitted. It left me with reduced ejection fraction of 40%, some muscle damage and continuous AFib. I’m having cardio version Thursday but they’ve been clear it’s not a cure and if it puts me in nsr I will always have AFib. I’m 59, female and work as a midwife sister on a busy labour ward working shifts. I have a meeting in a few weeks about returning to work. Symptoms are definitely improving but still get exhausted easily, breathless easily, emotional (I thought this should have passed by now), light headed at times- on all the medications as well, and every day things require an effort. I don’t feel fit for work but should I be fit for work by now? Any guidance to stop me meithering please.

[Milkfairy Heart Star]

Hello Ewloe,

Welcome to the forum,

You have certainly been though alot both physically and emotionally recently.

It takes time to recover and come to terms with such events.

I am not sure that many people would feel ready for work following your experience. Being in charge of a very busy labour ward as the Midwife coordinator is certainly very stressful. Being a Midwife is both emotionally and physically demanding.

Are you seeing someone from Occupational Health or your manager?

You will have to be reviewed by OH to say whether it is okay for you to return to work. A very important part of how they make the assessment is how you feel about returning to work.

They may suggest you work in a less demanding role such as working in the Antenatal clinic.

Usually your return to work is phased. No long days or night shifts.

Be patient and kind to yourself, perhaps don't feel you should be ready to return to work yet?

[redimps]

Good Morning Ewloe.

I am sorry to hear of everything you have been through. Like you I had a STEMI ( didn't arrest) just under 4 months ago, some muscle damage ( minimal) and with the added complication of post MI pericarditis which is ongoing. I also had been worrying about getting back to work ( very stressful and busy job ) although I didn't really feel ready, still breathless and tired at times. I had a meeting last week with my manager to discuss work return and she was so good initially with agreement to phased return, unfortunately then things started to go downhill with the request for me to attend , on my first day back in the office, a meeting with colleagues ( the team I manage plus others), to discuss changes to my work and their concerns about the impact of my return, stated in writing that this will be an uncomfortable meeting.

I have had to make the heart-breaking decision, with the support of my family not to put myself in this stressful situation and not return to a job I really loved doing. I decided my health and my family is more important.

I would say don't go back until you feel really ready, you have been through such a lot and make sure you get all the support, and the right support, from your employer

Be kind to yourself

[Hidden]

I had my stemi in April and I’m definitely not fit for work yet , my cardiologist nurse that I see every month said no to work as well . So don’t rush it x

[Emcd8477]

Good morning

I had a heart attack and 2 stents fitted in July and to say the lest it's been a roller coaster of a ride,with getting use to taking all the medication (I've never been someone to take pills) with all the emotions to get use to I'm not someone that crys but my god couldn't even watch the bake off without the eyes leaking lol,I've had a good few meeting with my manager about returning to work I also had to have a treadmill test done last week for my class 1 driving licence and my cardiologist said everything was great,I'm now planned a phase return next week starting at 50% on light duties for a few weeks and then reviewing it after that.Everyone is different and don't feel pressured into going back if you don't feel you are ready to 👍👍