Suffered a heart attack 7 weeks ago and had 2 stents fitted, one on arrival and 20-25% systolic function . Now trying to terms with it .

[Westsidestoryman]

Lack of sleep and being woken by a tightness in the chest are really effecting me. Trying to sleep propped up in bed and listening to music , reading. I drift of the sleep briefly and then wake up , not being able to get back to sleep. I am taking some prescribed sleeping tablets that means I am getting some sleep but obviously cannot use them all the time. Does it get any better?

[Jako999]

Yes it will get better, I’m 6 weeks post quadruple bypass and my head is all over the place thinking I should be dead and why me and so on, every twinge in my chest I think is that because my chest was pulled apart or is it my heart.You need keep talking about it, burst into tears and let it all out. It’s massive what we’ve all been through and such a shock. Ask for some councilling I’ve started a couple of weeks ago and much as I didn’t want them I’ve got some happy tablets. As a fellow male and 55 it’s our job to be strong and never break down, never ask for help and never take any mental health advice or meds. Well I’ve found out over the last few weeks what a load of rubbish, be sad cry as much as you want but most of all ask for help.

We will all get better as time goes on but you need to drop the proud bit and make a start.👍

[Westsidestoryman in reply to Jako999]

I think the not trying too hard to sleep maybe the thing to focus on as it has become a big deal.

[Milkfairy Heart Star]

I have problems sleeping as I am often woken by chest pain due to coronary vasospasms during the night.

It can be exhausting and I have learned over the 10 years I've lived with vasospastic angina, various strategies to help me.

I pace my activities throughout the day.

I listen to music or podcasts.

I find this free app helpful. It has loads of different approaches from breathing and relaxation techniques, meditation and guidance on reframing the way you respond to or think about your anxieties.

insighttimer.com/en-gb

I also try to exercise everyday. I walk my dog 3 or 4 miles. I practice yoga and Tai Chi.

You have been through a life-changing event. Lots of thoughts of 'what if' can rattle around in your brain.

Allow yourself time to come to terms with what has happened.

Some hospitals offer support from a cardiac psychologist, contact your Cardiac rehab team to see if you can access this support.

Talk to your GP and ask for a referral to a talking therapy if you feel that may help you.

[Hidden]

Hello Westsidestoryman

A warm welcome to you and your first of many posts on here, I hope that you find the forum as helpful and supportive as I and many do.

The short answer is yes it does get better on all counts, the only worry I have is the way that your using the prescription sleeping tablets.

You have to remember that I am not medically trained but I personally found that by taking the dose regularly over consecutive nights worked better than taking them now and then.

In my case I used them to not only calm my mind but also trick it into regaining a sleep pattern, which it did after some 5 nights or so. Then I stopped them and my body took over.

The biggest thing that you need to know is that you are never alone as much as some days that is what you believe.

We are here for you to pass on our thoughts and support whenever you need it

Take care and welcome again { love your forum name }

[Westsidestoryman in reply to Hidden]

My Gp said that I couldn't use them every night so am doing one night with one night without which does mean that I have a good day and a not so good day.

[Nnanny]

I had an angiogram in March and it didn’t account for my breathlessness,but I think my Bisoprolol was increased and an MRI was booked for June.My symptoms got worse and I was admitted three times during April and May , I had A fib and needed a Cardoverion ,my medication was changed each time I was admitted.

I am now on Solatol Candestartan and Frusomide and Apixiban and so far I am stable and will have an appointment in August to discuss things.

I honestly think it was all the different medication I was on that caused the breathlessness , I have been told that three of my valves are compromised,but since being on the new regime I am so much better.

[Nnanny]

I am sure things will get better for you.My reply was meant to be on Mrs Trees question,sorry about that 😊

[ph5019]

Hi,Wow, when I read what happened to you ,I thought that as very similar to me 2 years ago, although I had 5 stents in the LAD, but my EF was similar.

Same shock to the system, very little sleep for weeks and weeks, diagnosed with PTSD from this awful life changing experience.

I was in a very dark place, and also overdid the exercise trying to get back to some sort of normality, ended up back in hospital several times.

I have an ICD fitted, but my saviour was my therapist, I feel she saved my life .

I went private, simply because the NHS was such a long wait I had some therapy called EMDR , this treatment put me back on the road to recovery from what it is a shocking experience.

I still see ( mostly Zoom or WhatsApp) my therapist twice a month, just to talk , it's a crutch that is very beneficial to me.

After my EMDR my sleep started to improve steadily, but I remember it's a very lonely time when you cannot sleep in the middle of the night, I resorted to several organisations including the Samaritans who were always engaged.

I can now do most things I want to, I now walk several miles if I need to and at one stage never thought I would come close to that.

Many of us have been in your shoes, your feelings are completely normal for the awful experience you have been through .

If you need to contact me please feel free to.

Kind regards and good luck for the future.

Paul