My partner aged 32 had a cardiac arrest at the beginning of January this year, he was in hospital for 3 weeks and now has an ICD fitted and is on bisoprolol medication. The doctors and consultants have ran many tests on him and said that there is nothing wrong with his heart. Of course, this is good news but I am struggling to accept and move on as to why this happened. At such a young age, to a fit young man, who does not drink or smoke, no previous heart conditions, it makes no sense to me.
My partner has three young children, our youngest being 7 months old. Understandably, I am beyond grateful that my partner has been lucky enough to be doing so well in his recovery. I am just very nervous and feel like I have a house sitting on my chest (may be anxiety, may be trauma, who knows!) so trying to gather as much information as possible on all that I can.
My main concern at the moment, is my partner is still feeling breathless, where for even up to 20 seconds he is concentrating on his breathing and holding his chest. It may be when he is sitting down doing nothing, or standing. Does anyone else have any experience with this or know how we can control this? We have mentioned this to the doctors, and they have told us to keep an eye on it. FYI - this also did happen before the cardiac arrest.
We will be meeting again with the heart consultant at the beginning of March I am just wondering if anyone has any experience with this?
Thank you in advance.
Charley xx
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Charleybilto
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I would suggest having a chat with the BHF nurses. Also, can you keep a record of these sort of events, perhaps with a pulse rate.If it happens often, it would be worth contacting the cardio department.
What a trauma for you both. I fully understand how you both must feel.
Four years ago my husband had a cardiac arrest. Like your partner he was previously healthy and never had any heart problems. Fortunately, I was with him and as a nurse knew what to do. He spent three weeks in hospital part of it in ITU. He was diagnosed with long QT Syndrome - a condition which can cause sudden cardiac arrest. Like your partner he has an S-ICD implant.
At first we were both nervous, he would never be left alone and it took many months for him to feel confident in going out of the house. I was as anxious as he was.
Well that was four years ago. Until Covid we were back to normal life. We travelled extensively and the airport security is now not an issue as he just shows his card and passport and he gets the 'Royal' treatment he is usually through before me.
For us we see his implant as a personal paramedic constantly monitoring him and there should it ever be needed to deliver treatment. So far it has never been needed.
As for your partners breathlessness it is worth discussing this and any fears you have with the consultant and your GP.
I hope our story helps show you that life can get back to normal and it will for you given time.
With our very best wishes to you both and your family.
Hi, my husband too had an unexplained cardiac arrest on the 23rd of December.They have run so many tests, PET, MRI, CT and don’t know what caused it. He’s 48 and not had any issues in the past either. So I know exactly how you are feeling as I feel the same way.
I can’t help with the breathless but just wanted to let you know that you are not alone x
In a book by a cardiologist he said there are two causes for a heart attack, commonly genetic inheritance or bad luck. Whichever it was is almost irrelevant. What is important is getting better. Being young and fit and importantly no damage to the heart things are good. Focus on lifestyle and gentle exercise. The medications will need to settle down and may need changing. Keep a log of the symptoms. The BHF is a good trustworthy source of information. Keep talking to the cardiologist and GP. Try to avoid Dr Google, there’s loads of crap out there. Good luck and post again if anxious.
Hi, I had a cardiac arrest a few years ago. I was a fairly fit and healthy (so I thought) 49 year old. Mine was due to a faulty valve, now replaced, but I found a group on Facebook, SCAUK, and a number of the members have ICDs as there was no reason found for their SCA (sudden cardiac arrest).SCAUK is part of SADS which is a registered charity and I'm sure the website has links to a number of articles which are for survivors and their families.
Hi Charley, can’t help you with the heart attack as my heart event was a virus. I had a tickly cough in the morning and by 6pm I was blue lighted into Leeds LGI. I also was fit, 4 times a week in the gym and golf 4 times per week. Never been ill in my life. My heart event happened Christmas 2021. I have DCM now. It has taken 12 months with the heart nurse to get my tablets somewhere near right for me. I still do have breathless times, or a feeling of it hard to breath as though I can’t get a full lung of air, it does seem to come on when I am just sat watching the TV! So not exerting myself. I do notice though my resting heart rate drops into the 50s when it happens. Walking and exercising I’m ok. Perhaps if you’re worried speak to your doctor or e mail your consultants secretary as I have done. This usually gets me a response within a couple of days or if you have a Heart nurse speak to her. After any heart event it does take a lot of time to get the meds right for you. Hope he gets it sorted soon or at least you get some words of comfort from your doctor.
Hi Charley. I had a SCA at home 7 years ago aged 42. Mine was also unexplained so had to have ICD fitted. I still sometimes get breathless but my cardiologist doesn't seem worried. He will get there it just takes time. Don't forget about you either, you've gone through trauma too. X
This sounds identical to my story, I'm 33 and just had a heart attack in Oct 21 ..no prior symptoms, was a smoker do not sure if it was this that caused it. Since the heart attack I have also been suffering from breathlessness, to the point the ambulance had to take me back to hospital. They changed my medications but since being back home nothings improved and I am on exactly the same medication which I read causes breathlessness. I would the DR to send your partner for an xray or alternatively when he does get the breathlessness you should call an ambulance so they can check him out at the hospital. Best of luck
Hi Charley. I had a cardiac arrest at age 45 at home in Jan 2021. I also spent 3 weeks in hospital and had an ICD fitted and they also found no significant blockage and thankfully no damage to my heart. I was diagnosed with coronary vasospasm during my hospital stay after the cardiac arrest when they saw evidence of it starting to happen again on ECG - cardiac arrest is a rare occurence with vasospasm but it can happen. I have been absolutely fine with no symptoms for a year since getting on the right meds. Coronary vasospasm is one of a number of heart conditions that can cause serious problems despite there being no permanent blockage. You partner should ask his cardiologist about this possibility - many cardiologists are not very familiar with these conditions so he may have to move to one that is. Best of luck.
Hi , this also happened to me I’m 45 , cardiac arrest beginning of June in icu for 3 weeks, so very grateful to the paramedics who fought to bring me back, icd fitted, but still don’t know why it happened been through tests still no answers , get pains now and again. But get told everything ok x
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