Post-cardiac rehab support and advice- 42 years old

[Chriswood79]

Hi. I suffered an HA in Aug 21 and had a stent fitted in my RCA. I’m 42 years old and still coming to terms with what’s happened. I was fit and active before this. I finish my cardiac rehab next week and I’m looking for any support or advice as I’m struggling to know where to go next. Im happy I’ve been given a second chance but am daunted at the thought of finishing rehab and entering an abyss. Any connections very much appreciated. Chris.

[Hidden]

Hi Chris, it sounds like they were organised in your neck of the woods if you got your rehab sorted that quickly.You say that you were "fit and healthy" before your HA....in that case get back to doing what you were doing before your HA to stay fit and healthy.

Obviously fine tune your diet following all the guidance you've undoubtedly been given.

Your heart has had an amazing service and MOT and is in better shape than it's been for years and your taking a brilliant cocktail of medication to keep it that way.

Enjoy life and stop worrying.

[Chriswood79 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you John. I live in north Birmingham. Everyone has been amazing, given what is currently going on and the pressure the NHS is under. I’ve had delayed blood tests, scans, follow up echo and rehab - so yes, to get to this point so soon I am grateful

[jeelpie in reply to Hidden]

what an amazing reply, so positive 😀

[Chriswood79]

Thanks for the support and advice. Having lost the last 2 years to COVID and battling depression and anxiety successfully earlier this year I was ‘ready to go’ by the middle of summer. I got to my 42nd birthday, which at times I thought I wouldn’t see, and then a week later I’m in hospital surviving a heart attack - I couldn’t make it up. So it’s been tough and frustrating but I appreciate it’s early days. I’m still off work and not looking forward to going back as I work in a senior role in the NHS - so need to work through this. Fitness is my current escape - I’ve run out of things to do in the house! I was fit and smoked. I stopped immediately , overhauled my diet completely (my cholesterol is 60% lower than it was in hospital in 2 months), have a low resting heart rate and low blood pressure (Bisoprolol stopped also) I’m 65kg, BMI of 19… so my outlook is good. It’s the current frustration of another year tip toeing around, keeping out of peoples way etc…I’ve joined a few fb groups just now so thank you for the pointers. I’d like to do the weekly park run when I’m able - as not something I’d entertained previously. Good luck with your continued exercise…

[Ourdill]

Hi.. I had the same but a stent in my LAD at 43 last year. Unfortunately missed out on the cardiac rehab due to covid closures so basically winged it alone. I now have counselling from the psychological assessment team at my local hospital as they say i have some kind of PTSD from the time since ..I'm on Prozac which helps considerably, but Haven't worked since and the walls close in if you let them. Just take it easy, don't rush back into anything too soon.. 2nd chance right? Keep taking the meds and maybe try find a gym to keep the fitness up. I found one with a PT that had the same thing 3 years ago running the wolf run (can happen to the fittest of us) so he was sensitive in getting me back to speed. I'm only just about ready to go back to work but am scared as what I do is quite physical, so am trying to find something with a slower structured phased return but it's a but of a mare. Hang in there, keep taking the daily meds, stay in touch with the cardiac team, and this always helps too.. you aren't alone

[Chriswood79 in reply to Ourdill]

Thanks very much for reaching out. Very helpful and comforting. If you ever want to talk let me know. I’m weaning my way of sertraline as we speak. Stay positive

[Ourdill in reply to Chriswood79]

Don't rush getting off them, rushing can lead you back onto them for longer. Getting back to work will be good for you as well ..distraction is key. I found myself bluelighted to hosp 6 times in the last year's with phantom /anxiety pains but have been fine since I've been on the Prozac and keeping busy

[wischo in reply to Ourdill]

Totally agree with you. I had a stent in the LAD just three years ago and still worry about it. I was told that after a week I could do most exercise so carried on with my 4-5 miles daily brisk walk. My mental health went down the pan especially from anxiety so was prescribed Mirtazipine which knocked me out so had to give those up. I have been on diazapam for the last 40 years so my gp advised upping the dose from 5mg to 10 mg daily which I did and they worked wonders for the anxiety. I find it difficult to stay on strict diets so really eat what I did prior to my stent. I am currently on holidays in the canaries and enjoy sharing a bottle of wine while at dinner. I might also have a beer or two afterwards. I know this goes against all the advice but I am 71 and want to enjoy my life as much as I can. Are there any users on this site that do the same as me or what other routines do people follow.

[Ourdill in reply to wischo]

At least you aren't letting it stop you moving on. Life sounds great right now 😁. Enjoy that wine 🍷

[wischo in reply to Ourdill]

Cheers, the exercise is great for anxiety also. Feeling good and if the Prosac are working why try and stop them. I think anxiety after an event is the most destructive thing for hearties and should be addressed with whatever works. Stay safe Ourdill.

[Chriswood79 in reply to wischo]

Thank you for your insight and outlook. I need to bear in mind your comments and leave it longer before I do too much too soon, mentally and physically. Enjoy the sun and the wine!!

[wischo in reply to Chriswood79]

Hi Chris, bear in mind that there are people who have these stents fitted for 30 years and are still going strong. At this stage the stent will have been overgrown with your bodies tissue and basically is now part of your artery. Compared with the older stents they are really thin and very good. If you look at the worst case scenario restenosis will not happen at this stage. In the event that in 20 or 30 years time the problem comes back they can do a bypass which is now off pump and in a few years will be done by keyhole surgery, or indeed another stent. I took the liberty of checking your posts and can see that this worries you a lot but try to think of it as positive. Medicine is so good now that in a few short years who knows what miracles they can perform. Your fine, you are young and should get on with your life and leave all this behind. I wish you all very best and am sure you will go on and live a long and healthy life. Relax and look ahead.

[Ourdill in reply to Chriswood79]

Also try a free app called "insight timer". There are quite a few methods of chilling out and self relaxation techniques on it.. I've found it very useful.

[Chriswood79 in reply to Ourdill]

I’ve been using the Headspace app but will download this one too. Can never have too many options…

[Max1019]

It is certainly a challenge, I know areas are different but I was referred to our local leisure centres who do various cardio rehab follow ons, stage IV, at a reduced rate for 12 weeks. Mine closed down at COVID time but they have just reopened. It’s helping me to get back on track. I hope you find something fairly close by.

[Chriswood79 in reply to Max1019]

Thank you. I think I need some follow on rehab to continue to improve my confidence.

[MertleTurtle]

Hi Chris, I suffered from Heart Failure at 47 with a 20%ef. I was modestly active, a bit of cycling and running, but I also liked a beer!!When I came out of hospital and had a 6 weekish period of recovery I was extremely nervous of getting back into some form of exercise but soon got on the bike again and started doing some hiking through the local hills. I had to request a 12 week referral to a local gym under supervision as I was unsure as to what my limits were. This really helped as I was supported with guided exercise and an understanding into the effects of the medication I am on.

I stopped drinking alcohol, ate well and dropped from 87 to 73kg and continued to exercise. I am now nearly 12 months on and do a 10k each weekend and 2 hrs at the gym with a mix of cardio and weights. In the week I play table tennis and attend Kung Fu as well as an additonal 5k or so when the mood takes me. Best advice from me is listen to what your body is telling you when you exercise and build up gradually. Good luck

[Chriswood79 in reply to MertleTurtle]

Thank you. Good news on the weight loss and continued exercise. Some inspirational stuff there..

[ocnnll]

Hi ChrisI had mine in June at 53 out of the blue. Very scary this was a point I realised noone is fallible. I was told after the stent I would be " on top of the world" that wasn't my experience. In reality the stent needs to settle. For months after any twinge or pain I would think the worst. I had really bad vivid dreams and put this down to armageddon for me, turns out its side effects of medication. This forum has helped me out so much. Instead of being on the verge of phoning 999 every other day I am now much more relaxed. This is down to sharing experience and learning from others.

Take care mate you got this 👍

Darren

[Chriswood79 in reply to ocnnll]

Cheers. Good luck to you too.

[Hidden]

Hi Chris, take your time and take things slowly. Physically you may heal quite quickly but allow some time for your mind to catch up. It's a big hit you've taken...

[Chriswood79 in reply to Hidden]

I’ve been contemplating that today - how my mind recovers. Some days the realisation of what had happened to me hits home. I feel like an imposter and need to readjust mentally. Thank you for your wisdom.

[richard_jw]

When I finished cardiac rehab, there was an option to go to one of the rehab nurses privately. She runs a class once a week. I go and it costs £6 a session. Maybe you could ask one of the rehab nurses

[Chriswood79 in reply to richard_jw]

Will do thank you. I’ll get a list of questions prepared!

[momander]

Hi Chris,I had a HA in April of this year, completely out of the blue!!! I also had a stent fitted. There was no cardio rehab where I live ( scotland) so I missed out on that. Had regular phone calls with a cardio rehab nurse, but no face to face. Really left to my own devices if I'm being honest. I was a smoker before and just instantly gave up!!! I hardly drink now either. I try to eat a healthy diet too Unfortunately I have a really complicated and painful back condition which prevents me walking very far or exercising the way I would like. I have found out SO much about my heart medication through this forum, and one of the things is that the beta blockers, ( which my gp says I need to be on for the rest of my life), really slow things down? I find it hard to lose weight and maintain that now. All the other medications are fine . I am so glad to be alive but I am still coming to terms with all of this!! Things take time to settle down, and you are still in the early days of recovery. Just take your time, take it easy, and allow everything to settle down and heal. I have heard many different things about recovery time, but always best to listen to the professionals. I was told by my cardio rehab nurse it was approx. 12 weeks till you start feeling better after a stent, and a year before the stent was fully settled in. Its a whole new life and so different from the one before, but you are still here and that is all that matters. take care and be kind to yourself.

[Chriswood79]

Thanks for the link. Yes I need some IAPT maybe for my head.

[Chriswood79]

Thanks for your comments and advice. Appreciating I’m not alone with this.