is taking a heart tonic recommend after Takotsubos heart attack advice please thank you

[Timetraveler67]

I read on someone’s comment on YouTube they take a cardiac heart tonic and that they have fully recovered because of taking it. Is this recommended please can you tell me? I’m home now after suffering the heart attack I get very fatigued also feeling very emotional I’m just asking if it’s ok to take a heart tonic and if anyone could recommend a good one please. Thank you

[RufusScamp]

My advice would be don't take anything of that nature without consulting one of your cardiologist/GP/pharmacist. It may react with any other medication you are on. I would have thought that if there is anything that helpful, it would be being prescribed.Please don't take too much notice of something on the web. It may be somebody selling snake-oil. "Completely recovered" rings alarm bells for me.

[Timetraveler67 in reply to RufusScamp]

Thank you that’s the reason I was asking and didn’t rush to buy anything I wanted to ask experts on here first so I appreciate your reply

[Ageingfast]

Dear time traveler

Please please please just look up the BHF and NHS websites and nowhere else.

These other websites just represent one persons ideas. On this site, what we write is moderated and quite right too.

Yes many of us get emotional and fatigued. But things do improve as time ticks by.

Best wishes

Sooty

[Timetraveler67 in reply to Ageingfast]

I understand thank you for your reply

[Milkfairy Heart Star]

I agree with the others comments. It's really important to only take any medication prescribed by your doctor.

Cardiac Tonics, supplements, vitamins etc are untested and can interact with your heart medication.

Perhaps give the BHF helpline a call and speak to one of the cardiac nurses?

bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...

Takostubo syndrome is an acute cardiac event that can give very similar symptoms to a heart attack.

However, it is not usually classed as a heart attack, Myocardial Infarction non obstructive coronary arteries MINOCA.

Have you got a follow up appointment with a Cardiologist soon?

I suggest you ask your Cardiology team to consider offering you more tests to confirm the cause of your symptoms.

I acknowledge it can feel very unsettling experiencing a major cardiac event.

I can highly recommend the Facebook group for Takostubo syndrome. It's well moderated with lots of research based information.

facebook.com/groups/Takotsu...

[Timetraveler67 in reply to Milkfairy]

Hi milkfairy I’m new here and desperately trying to educate myself that’s all please be assured I was only asking about a tonic that’s all I wasn’t going to buy one so please don’t worry about that. My appointment with my consultant is in 3 months time and yes I do know it’s not actually a heart attack as such but is treated the same as a heart attack is what the cardiologist told me. I have been given no advice when I was discharged only that it can take about 3 months for the heart to recover, other then that I feel I have to educate myself as to what I can and can’t do exercise wise I mean. Maybe plod on as per usual seeing as it wasn’t an actual heart attack, I don’t know. On my notes it states the damage the attack has done to my heart but I’m sure it’s not long term. Thank you for taking the time to reply I really appreciate it

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to Timetraveler67]

I am sorry that you have been given so little information.

Have you had an echo cardiogram or Cardiac MRI?

I was bewildered 10 years ago when I was admitted with a suspected heart attack.

In my case my chest pain was caused by coronary vasospasms.

My symptoms are just like a heart attack in fact I am at risk of a heart attack as a severe coronary vasospasm can cause heart damage and arrthymias.

The BHF has some information and Prof Dana Dawson is researching the condition.

abdn.ac.uk/ims/profiles/dan...

bhf.org.uk/what-we-do/news-...

Also if you can try and make contact with other patients with a lived experience of Takostubo syndrome.

They are often more knowledgeable about the condition than many Cardiologists.

They are experts by experience.

I hope you are able to gain the knowledge you need to help you get through this challenging time for you.

[Hidden]

My Dear Timetraveler67

Please don’t even think of these tonics in any form or way, it is surprising that some of the old ones are still going and being produced. { most iron based }

You need specialist help for your complex problems and I am pleased that slowly you are getting this.

Take care your journey is interesting

[Timetraveler67 in reply to Hidden]

Hi I came here for help and advise and to Hopefully educate myself I was simply asking about something I read by someone that’s all. I don’t intend to take a tonic please rest assured on that. I’m seeing my consultant in 3 months time so hopefully I would have recovered by then. Thank you for taking the time to reply to me

[Ramilia]

Timetraveler67,

I agree with the others about taking any tonics/supplements without discussion with your doctors, and I see you have already taken that advice on board.

I can tell you from experience that the fatigue after a Takotsubo event can last a fairly long time. You are still in the very early days of recovery, and the most important thing for you now is to rest and only do what is absolutely necessary.

One of the leading Takotsubo experts in the UK, a cardiologist at a London hospital, has suggested that six weeks of rest is indicated for most of us.

As far as the emotional side is concerned, I could burst into tears at the drop of a hat for many, many months after my event.

So please don't be hard on yourself and do what's best for your recovery. And, of course, that all has to be in the context of your other medical conditions and medication.

And if you haven't already, please do look at all the sites Milkfairy and I mentioned on your other post.

Take care.

[HeartyJames]

On the web people will tell you that bleach will kill viruses etc. Lots of scams that look very convincing. Even a lot of the herbs, vitamins etc can be dangerous. I read once someone promoting foxglove and even rat poison. Micro amounts used in some meds, but they are licensed and managed. Take care...

[devonian186]

Its a good question to ask and sensible to have done so before purchasing anything. After my bypass I was kept waiting at the hospital on discharge for several hours, others far longer.

The reason being that the pharmacist had to check that none of the cocktail of drugs prescribed would clash with each other. No doubt you will have been prescribed those medicines thought appropriate to you and the cardiologist will no doubt reduce or increase them when you meet.

It is outside my experience to comment whether a different diet, exercise, losing weight etc is appropriate in your circumstances but its worth asking

[richard_jw]

I did a quick google, and was surprised to see the vast number of such heart tonics. My take initially is don't take anything like a heart "Tonic" without consulting a doctor. Some appear to have medication which may well be already in your prescribed medication (e.g. Nitrates). or may interact with them adversely. Some contain ingredients which by the sellers' own admission are unproven to do any good.

Not directly related to the heart (but in some "tonics") is Folic acid (vitamin B9) I was prescribed Folic acid for lack of folate (which can cause anemia) by my GP. He found that it interacted with the other drug I take (Phenytoin for epilepsy).

So it seems to me that all such "tonics" are a minefield should be treated with extreme caution

[Silvertail]

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy usually resolves in three months, especially on meds. Some people, however, take longer.

[Danceawaytheblues]

It takes time to recover from any illness and major health issue. I can only echo what others have already said, please talk to your GP or heart nurse first. There is no quick fix after having Takotsubo. Just give yourself lots of TLC. It took me just over 3 months to recover and the tiredness was the worst part. Good luck Timetraveler67. x