Scared!

[CarolJ55]

im new here, just out of hospital after a heart attack! Im 55 and its knocked me sideways. How do people cope with the thought it might happen again? How do you look to the future? Any advice welcome, thank you

[Hidden]

Dear CarolJ55

A warm welcome to you, I really hope that this forum can help ease your worries over your recent diagnosis .

How do we cope? well that question will give you as many answers as there are members on here because we are all individuals and each of us will cope in our own way.

The main coping method is not to think that you are alone, because very soon you will see that are you not and that we are here to help you in anyway that we can.

We are beginning to recognise that because of the pressure on the NHS we seem to be rushed along and can end up feeling alone after treatment.

This is were our minds start filling in the gaps and we realise that we are not as invincible as we thought.

There is help { and lots of it } out here, your Drs or Heart team is your first point of call and so is asking the questions on here .

You are not alone, you will get through this and we will help you.

Take care

[Oaks6]

I must admit I was physically shaking when I was told I have had a heart attack. I’m still dealing with prostate cancer and then a heart attack.

I think it’s natural to be shocked and disturbed by a heart attack. I was helped a lot by the cardiac rehab team in the hospital. It’s my second time around with them after having 3 stents fitted 5 years ago.

This forum is helpful too, even if it’s purely to share your feelings. There seems to be a lot of knowledge on these forums too.

I was talking to a nurse recently and she said that there is no shame in feeling upset or afraid.

My thought is that the best you can do is listen to the medical experts around you and live the healthiest you can.

I have a lot of support from churches around me. They have been enormously supportive.

I’m also surprised that people seem to pop out of the woodwork that have been through the same experience as you.

I was afraid to walk down the road to the post box at first (about 100 yards) in case anything happened to me. It takes time to feel more confidence come back. Don’t be afraid to speak to others about how you feel, I’m sure they will be very sympathetic towards you.

I wish you peace in your experience.

[BridBoy]

Good morning, I know exactly how you feel, the first night I was home from hospital I was petrified, the demons in my brain were working overtime, "what if it happens again" they kept on saying.

The following day I sat and thought about it, I'd just had a brilliant service and MOT on my heart by the most skilful people, my heart was in better shape than it has been in years, they'd put me on a cocktail of drugs to further protect my heart and to stop on reoccurrence of the issue I had.

I thought about the positives when the demons came, the positives soon took over and I was confident I was OK.

If you are offered cardio rehab jump at the chance, it will increase your confidence in your heart and body no end and make you realise that you have a full and beautiful life ahead of you.

[Cruiser25]

Welcome CarolJ55,

“I don’t want to belong to any club that will accept me as a member.”, Groucho Marx,

Welcome to the club no-one really wants to be a member of. BridBoy is absolutely right, rehab classes and the rehab nurses are brilliant. You haven't mentioned if you've received any stents etc, but the well considered cocktail of meds you will have been placed on will help enormously. My Cardiologist told me not to forget to take my meds they are really key, alongside diet and exercise. Only when used in conjunction can they offer the maximum recovery and future protection.

When the demons come into the mind, and they will, I just think about what I'm able to do in rehab exercise classes, going on holiday, driving the car, these feelings then seem a bit out of proportion, how can I do all this if....

Time, meds, exercise and diet and you'll be on your way. We're here when you need to vent, ask questions, anything pretty much, and nothing you ask is silly or unimportant, because it will be important to you. Good luck

[22alfie]

yes it's a mega shock keep speaking to your doctor and cardio nurse tell them your concerns. It definitely takes time. You think all sorts of rubbish but no one knows the answer. Keep talking and look after yourself. 💞

[GFFF]

Welcome Carol

I am sure you will find lots of help and support on here.

We all had a nasty shock when we joined “the club” and have struggled to accept what has happened, take one day at a time and be kind to yourself xx

[Hidden]

Hello & Welcome

I feel so much for you and I know the fear you are feeling

When I had my first heart attack it was like I was to afraid to move regretfully I did go on to have a couple more and then a triple Bypass but don't read into that what happened to me as this is more rare than you making a full recovery as I am sure you will

The thing with heart attacks they concentrate on the physical part rightly so as you will be taking meds not sure if you had any stents or anything , you know about healthy eating , exercise , Rehab and so on but for so many of us they maybe do not have the resources or not realise the mental effect it has on us which can be worse than the heart attack itself how we are left full of fear

It is not always an easy one to overcome so you need to get all the help you can

If you have the contact numbers for your Rehab Nurses keep in contact with them

If it gets to much talk to your Doctor

Remember how you are feeling most of us do and it is normal

You have had a life changing event so there is no wonder you feel fear but in time your confidence will slowly start to come back and you will not feel the fear like you do now

I know for me even now every twinge or sensation I am like a rabbit in the headlights brain straight into action thinking what was that ?

Be kind to yourself everyday , know this is normal but it will get better and take one day at a time

You have all this Community where you can come and share your fears as well as your achievements you are not alone x

[Hidden]

one thing that has helped is being on this forum. It has helped me realise iam not alone with the mental side of things. Everyone has gone through or is going through exactly the same feelings. Mental worries and anxiety is a natural response. Not nice though. The trouble i have is i keep searching for answers. But the one thing that i have been told is to find other things to occupy your mind with. My hypnotherapist has told me to only talk and discuss my problem on a Wednesday. For the rest of the week do other stuff. Trouble is iam not very good at it. But the one thing i have to take comfort in, is that i have had a good mot. They found the problem it is the only problem. Unfortunatly i was born with it. Iam now being looked after. Iam on medication to help. Try not to be too hard on yourself. And if you want a good cry then do it.

[CarolJ55]

thank-you all for your comments and experience, makes me feel a little better on things, one day at a time.

Ive no stents, just a leison that needs drugs for 12 months, also minor heart disease.

Take care all 🌼

[Heartattackvictim]

Getting and understanding the diagnosis, knowing what the meds are for and how they will help, following though on any rehab and/or lifestyle changes, and taking a step (literally and metaphorically) at a time are the ways I have coped.

Access the many excellent resources on the BHF website (including specific booklets) and this forum are the only web based resources I trust.

Wishing you well,

John