I'm new to this and not sure how it works. I'm also struggling with whole thing as it was a mega shock to me and my family and friends . I've always been active, none, kept eye on my weight. I'd like some feedback from people with how they coped.
Alfie22
Hello & Welcome 
It comes as a real shock to us all when we have a heart attack
On paper there is no reason we can see why this should have happened to us sometimes but it can happen to anyone and it regretfully does
But you are one of the lucky ones your friend was there you got to the Hospital and they have put that stent in getting that blood flowing around your heart as it should
I think some think a heart attack just affects their physical ability but it can also affect our minds to which can take longer to catch up with what has happened and we can go through a lot of emotions which is perfectly normal
It is very early for you and the first thing is to give yourself time and acceptance of what has happened which you will eventually
You will be slower and not be able to do things as fast or as easy for a while but you have to slowly build that up and there is no reason that you wont feel like new given time in the future
A few lifestyle changes if needed , if there are any Rehab classes where you are help so many , take your meds and slowly you will start to get stronger each day
Others will give you lot's of good advice but you are not alone in how you feel but it will get better x
So. Welcome!
Interesting question you have posed, how does this work?
I'm relatively new here and it seems to me there are typically two types of posts, those seeking help and those wanting to share, and two types of posters, those who ask for something, some of whom may never be seen again after their one and only post, and those who mainly contribute with answers. With shades in the middle. There's no right or wrong though. So join in as you see fit.
Otherwise my advice to you is to rejoice that you are still here, that your hidden health problems have been identified and there is now a programme in place to reduce your ongoing heart risk. But above all try to enjoy every day as it comes. I'm afraid there are many with known heart disease who led a good 'healthy' life but were then struck down suddenly, just like the many who indulge in all the 'wrong' things and perhaps live to a grand old age. There's not much we can do about it, because we are all different. However by having the lifestyle you led before your HA you may have reduced you risk before and after it occurred.
So take the meds, choose your diet well, increase exercise as you are able whilst listening to your body, and allow your life to return to normal, without any unnecessary worrying which will not help your situation. And if you are offered cardio rehab seize the opportunity and go for it.
Hi. Welcome to the forum. I’m fairly new here but have been given some excellent advice and information, I hope you find that too. Until I had my heart problems I’d never really worried about my health. I had always suffered from anxiety and depression but never really thought about my physical health. To be told that your heart isn’t working as well as you hoped is such a massive shock and I think most of us suffer some degree of ptsd from it. I think that learning to live with it and accept it is the key although it’s not easy. Perhaps ask for a referral to counselling? It may help. Hopefully you will be referred to cardiac rehab soon too and I would encourage you to go. There are many people on this forum that have lived long and full lives despite their heart problems. There’s no reason that you can’t be one of them. Best wishes.
Hi and welcome.
Sorry to hear of your abrupt entrance into our little world. You are completely ok to be feeling exactly how you are, we have all gone through this to a lesser, equal or greater extent, and we are all different, you're just you. I can only speak from my experience, you'll soon move from why me? to look what I can do now. We are /have been in shock, which can definitely be a biggie, so allow yourself time and space to just be. You are stronger than you realise and this will help you to move through this, good luck and let us know how you're doing from time to time, we all love success stories.
6 weeks ago my world got turned up side down. I went for an angiogram thinking nothing would be found, I don’t smoke, don’t drink, vegetarian and a very fit 55year old, but no bag. I remember phoning my wife in a bit of a daze and her saying are you ready to be picked up and me saying no I’m really unwell and lucky to be alive in fact it’s so bad I’m off to intensive coronary care. I had a quadruple bypass then 3 weeks ago I had a post op heart attack. I really just can’t believe any of it, we only came back from Florida a week before my angiogram we were out there for nearly a month doing 8 to 10 miles a day in the parks plus all the rides, I was told by all the medical staff it was a miracle I made it home.Physically I’m doing well but after all that’s gone on my mind is blown, I’m luck my hospital have action heart and this is so common that they have councillors who I’m now seeing I have post traumatic stress disorder apparently a lot of people get it when you’ve been this close to death.
The forum is a great place with lots of help, you are not alone and don’t feel to proud to ask you cardiologists or GPfor help with your mental state.
I have never had a mental health issue and always been strong but right now all I keep thinking is why aren’t I dead, am I still going to die I’m even dreaming about being dead and meeting up with dead relatives where as I should feel so so lucky that it was found and I’m alive. The mind is a very powerful thing but we will all get there in the end.
Good luck here to chat any time.
A lot of this sounds similar to my husband. He had a quintuple bypass but missed out on all the cardiac rehab because we were abroad and now we are back in the UK he has no cardiac follow up and is on his own. Whenever he speaks to our doctor about anything he is pretty useless to be honest. So we just jog along with up and down days.
I am the same as you Jako999 had mine at beginning of April no rehab yet trying to walk also have GAD keep asking will I have another Cardio nurse not much help 2 Stents fitted mine is hereditary didn.t know I had it.My GAD has come back with a vengeance.
I’m new here , I had a cardiac arrest beginning of June I’m 45 had no symptoms just woke up in hospital after being in icu for a while , got saved by my partner coming to see me before he went to work he phoned for ambulance, I’ve now got a icd fitted but can’t get my head around why , what if he hadn’t of come back in room to see me .Doctors said they are shocked how I survived it all they don’t know why it happened I’m waiting for appointment for tests , but cannot get my head around everything that has happened think I could do with counselling because. I’m a scared and often think I’m very LUCKY to be here .
I’ve had a similar event and I’m 43. I was on holiday and thankfully my husband got up and decided to have an extra bit of sleep as I had a seizure then stopped breathing. He had to give me CPR and then I came round after 2-3 minutes. We went to hospital and I’ve been here since (although flew to Athens from Crete via air ambulance). How has the ICD been as it’s looking likely I will get one when I get home…. Thanks
Hello , I’m glad your okay x I’ve had my icd in now nearly 4 weeks, at first I was scared but after anaesthetic I eas fine took couple of days to get use to it but , there’s a little box sticking out of my chest that will save my life 🤞 it doesn’t need to , hope your ok soon xx
It is awful how your own mind can cause you so much pain and despair. I wish i had an answer. I have been struggling for 6 months since they found my congenital heart disease. Even though I have had it since I was made in the womb. It has took a long time and a chance ecg to find it. But mentally it has been horrendous. I have counselling. And it works for a few days but then my mind takes over and bang iam up down . Crying. Your world turns up side down. You worry. You over think. You dr Google. Worst thing to do . To find answers. But you end up back to the same place. Slowly I suppose you get use to a new way of exceptance. That's why I signed up to this heart foundation link. It can give you hope when you read how brave all the people on this site are. And how they overcome adversity. Plus you carnt beat reading about how other people cope. Everyone who is on this site are brave and courageous. They give me personally hope.
Felly12 I keep thinking the worst as well cardiac nurse calling next week going to tell her i need some answers to questions she not really been any help now getting fed up. Have you had rehab yet didn't know I had it either HA one day heart disease found by echiocardiogram {spelling} 2 stents fitted. Wish you all well and coping ok
This whole thing has been draining . I carnt fault the medical people as my cardiologist wanted to get all the information together. To make a plan. Trouble is your mind goes round and around. However I did phone the cardiac nurses at the British heart foundation for advice. Mainly about my medication and they have helped. But now that I have had a 24 ecg, a cycle stress test and mri. We have all the data. The original data was taken when I was in A and E back in February. But when you find out about an issue it turns your world up side down. And it effects the people around. But I agree with you, you worry about the worst. How you can put a positive on this I have no idea. I do try and look at the positive from my tests , but to repair my problem will be open heart surgery. Then that brings up more worryies and concerns.
Hello 22alfie.I didn't cope and it was my husband who had the heart attack.he copes by not talking about anything which I understand and I went into meltdown for nine months.although people say dont worry and it doesn't change anything I still couldn't stop it.
The only advice I can give is dont Google everything listen to the professionals.keep talking or even writing everything down helped.
this forum is excellent and you are not on your own.we all are in this together.sending you lots of love big hugs and support.xx
Yes Google is not a good idea but I think we all have a look at some point. Yes my hubby is very stressed and also shocked and still trying to cope as I am. I'm finding all this very hard at times and then say well I'm still here so give yourself a shake. I've lots of really good close friends who have been amazing and my family I didn't realize they all thought that highly of me. 😂 So I feel blessed to have them in my life ❤️. This is also a great way to say how you feel as everyone has similar feelings. 😊
Hi 22alfie, I’ve just read your bio and see that it’s just 8 weeks since your HA and stent. That being the case it is still very early in your recovery period but it seems as though you are making steady progress. If you are also new to the standard “cocktail” of heart drugs these can affect how you feel. Bisoprolol can cause tiredness and weakness but these should lessen as your body gets used to it. In my case my GP was happy to tweak the dose for a few months.
Like you I was fairly active before my stent, cycling, kayaking, swimming etc. I was a bit anxious returning to any form of strenuous exercise activity but that anxiety lessened as I progressed. I wasn’t offered cardio rehab so I was on my own but if you’re offered it please take it. You can increase your exercise levels under the guidance and monitoring of the trained staff.
What can you get back to in the long term? Well I took up running during 2020 and now run 5km three times a week, walk five miles or so on the rest days, ski for long days during the winter season, sea kayaking (although less solo open water in rough conditions).
On this forum Thatwasunexpected offers sound advice on both exercise and anxiety. Scroll through to search for a recent post titled “new to site”.
Take time for your recovery but I am sure you will continue to make huge progress and soon all this will be a distant memory. My stent was back in 2011 and I’m now aged 64 and probably more active than ever.
All the best.
Sounds so promising thanks for all that info. I've been very active all my life. (So far) and hopefully more to come. I am 65 this is genetic and didn't know it would have effected me as I kept myself active but just shows. I was also a big Munro bagger did all of them years ago but kept up with other hills and walks. and had a few trips to the Himalayas hiking. But I'd love to get back out in the water and cycling again. I always had a border collie with me. And the last one past away 18 months ago. But it was suggested with a close friend maybe I should get another to help me focus on getting well again. So I did and his name is Alfie!! He makes me get up and out small walks and is adorable and as he's still a pup we can build up our walking distance together. I've been offered rehab so going to take it up but it's not till middle of August. Thanks for your insight into recovery.
Yes I think my biggest cardiac risk factor was having the wrong father! 😀We bought a house in the French alps just after my stent. (The story isn’t relevant and I don’t want to hijack your post) but I now do a fair bit of walking between 1,500m and 2,500m. It’s not Himalayan standards by any means but it’s certainly satisfying to achieve.
Good luck with the rehab next month and let us all know how you’re getting on.
Wow! Just imagine looking out at the Alps everyday. Wonderful. Yes families come with all sorts of problems. 😂.
Good morning 22alfie, I know how you feel I went through it last March I am 67 nothing was wrong I have a good diet walking 3/6 miles a day then one Tuesday morning I was talking to a friend on the phone finished the call I was still in bed put my feet on the ground bang this pain came from nowhere my hubby was in the garden to cut the story short I was told I was having a massive HA the consultant told me he couldn’t understand why I had it no other family members have heart problems my diet and exercise was good I had a stent. So now a year has gone by I feel brilliant I still have a good diet I still go walking and I have joined a gym which I love. The first 3 months I find hard plus I couldn’t have rehab so I went on to the BHF and did a plan for myself I didn’t want to start feeling sorry for myself why me why me. It was the biggest shock of my life just like you are feeling now given all these tablets was a shock has well. But you know what you will get over the shock you will start to feel better go to rehab look at your diet do exercise you will be fine. This site for me was a God send people on here are lovely. Take care of yourself but keep us posted on how you are getting on. 😊
Hi 22alfie,
Welcome to the forum. We all know it's not where you ever thought you'd be or ever wanted to be, but unfortunately that's life. One minute we were going along in life, mostly coping with the strains and stresses of life, then a massive sledge hammer came out of nowhere and knocked us off the path. The situation is different for all of us and where it takes us will be different, but we are together in this club whether we like it or not.
Like you I was fit and well before my heart attack, hill walking being my interest. Thankfully for me little physical damage was done as I recognised what was happening, was rapidly blue lighted to the local cardiac unit and had two stents inserted in an artery all within an hour and a half. I was refered for bypass surgery and had that 11 months later. That all dealt with my physical needs, but what of the mental side?
Well, I count myself to be very fortunate not to have been unduly affected by events. I was told to keep positive and that I have managed to do. Both after the stents and the bypass I was able to start hill walking again after 3 months. Looking back I recognise that the signs were there before my heart attack, with the need for regular stops to catch my breath and the fact that I couldn't cope with exercise and food at the same time, Thankfully both the stents and the bypass have made improvements and I am now climbing higher and larger hills. Life really can be better after a major heart event.
So I would urge you to look to the future and believe that things can be better. Life will still have its ups and downs, but we are here to live another day.
With my best wishes,
Gerald
Starting gym today 💪 
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