I’m really struggling coming to terms with having a heart attack 2yrs ago at the age of 43. I’m a woman and told at the time they don’t know what caused my artery to collapse. I had a stent fitted.
everytime I have back pain. Sore pressure like feeling in my neck. I think it happening again. Then I get into a spiral or worry and the symptoms get worse.
doctors tell me it’s in my head. But my head keeps telling me. That’s what they said last time look what happened.
I’m stuck. I have looked but there are no support groups in Aberdeen.
I just want to get mentally better and stop having my husband wake me in the morning to make sure I’m alive. So my son doesn’t find me dead.
I need to know the difference between panic and actual. I have had ECG’s which show as normal but so did the ECG in A&E it was only my blood results that showed I had a heart attack.
Im in a vicious circle and I can’t get out. And I can’t go to the hospital every time it happens they are so busy as it is.
I feel that the system is more reactive rather than preventative. I feel I have to wait until the worst happenes again before they will do anything to help me. I can’t even get a stress test from them which I know if there was a blip somewhere it should show up.
I’m stuck in a cycle of worry and I just can’t find away out. I’m just waiting for it all to happen again.
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Sammyjoe77
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sorry to hear that you’re going through this. It’s hard living with uncertainty. I understand how you feel about medical interventions too. Sorry I don’t have a lot of advice to offer but you’re definitely not alone. What has helped me before was using mediation and accepting things. It’s really hard at times though, especially when you are not getting the information and support you need x
accepting is a big thing and the what if’ it’s this. What if it’s that, what if it’s happening again.
And it’s not getting easier. Thank you for your words. I have made the first steps reaching out and I’m going to look for a councillor
Thank you again.
Hello
I was 57 when I had my heart attacks and thought that was to young and I did go on to need a triple Bypass
Even though I have had that done I still have all the same fears and all the what if's and I struggle every day literally every ache pain I am in a state so I honestly know how you feel
The thing is I know most of the answers yet cannot apply them to myself
You had this happen and you may never have anything else go wrong and you were also lucky they caught it gave you a stent and no doubt medications so you are protected more than some walking around not knowing that they have a heart condition as trust me there are plenty out there and it is just waiting to happen to them and they may not be as lucky as you and get caught in time
But the mental part how it leaves us can be the worse I know only to well and you are not coping and that is ok not to be able to cope but you do need help and I also know the struggle it is to get help
Have you asked your Doctor to refer you for some therapy ?
Could you afford some private therapy ?
I feel this is what you really need and would benefit you so much
Know you are not alone in how you feel and even though you would not wish others to feel this way it can be sort of a comfort to know others feel the same
Try and stay in the day and every day tell yourself I am fine and you will be x
pushing the fitness is something I need to get on top of.
I’m terrified in going out by myself incase something happens and I’m stuck on my own. Again that’s another thing I need to get over and sorted out in my head.
Thanks for your words and reassurance that after 44 yrs you are living a happy life and I can do that too xx
I had a stroke 6 months ago, out of the blue, no explanation, got fantastic emergency treatment then nothing. Just take the pills. Worry everyday. Probably a random clot from the heart. D
So I looked up British Heart Foundation and Googled like mad and worried everyday. Then I found a link from BHF to Couch to 5K, a getting you to run from zero capabilities to 30 minutes continuous slow running. It was the only thing on offer I could do to help myself and BHF said it would be good for me. 5 months on from starting I'm running three times a week and doing my local Parkrun on a Saturday morning- no 7 yesterday. My grandchildren joined me for one run which was great. I have volunteered as a marshall too. My cardiovascular health has improved, its a phenomenal experience. I know I am taking control and doing as much as I can to give myself the best chance if I have another random event.
My wife worried too. So I bought a basic smart watch and use Strava app on my phone which I can use a Beacon text message which I send to my wifes phone and she can see where I am when out for a run.
Parkrun recognise that walking is also a health need too so this next month they are encouraging people to join Parkwalk on Saturdays too. Prrhsps its domething ypu could do as a family.
Finally, you have suggested going for Counselling. Do explore all options. And like me I hope you find healthunlockef really helpful.
I felt like that too. After 5 years I'm just about getting past it. Did you have cardiac rehab? It was refused to me but was something I desperately wanted- to exercise under supervision knowing there was help of anything happened. It would have done wonders for my confidence. I'm lucky to have a very supportive and understanding GP who will happily send me for tests when the worry gets bad. If it was 2 years ag I suspect rehab had been stopped because oft he unmentionable virus. Why not ask your GP if he could refer you back to rehab?
Most people feel as you do about something.Acceptance is a real winner for a stress free life and it’s easier said than done.I noticed this in two family members who were seriously ill with no warning early in life at 49 one was unconscious for 3 months.
Both died in their 90 s and looked 70.
One used a background of music to distract and relax the other walking .I hope you find some relief as it spoils all your good days.
I wish you some peace of mind going forward but as others have said you are not alone.Take care, much 💕
I see it’s two years since heart attack. It’s perfectly natural that you feel apprehensive (I think, having had one twenty years ago). It’s a worry, something happening at the very core of your body. Anyone who tells you different (and I am sure no-one here would) has not got a clue. Did you have cardiac rehab? It helped my confidence a lot. Knowing how far to take your body and not coddling myself in cotton wool. The NHS where I am supply ‘Talking Therapies’, which I utilised at the time too. There is usually a wait but I found it excellent. I have to say I would warn against running. I think that is a step too far, even if you were used to running before your heart attack. The gym the same. Trainers there can have extremely limited training for someone in our position. What drugs you are on changes your heart’s expectations (which does not mean it’s not actually healthy). You, either through rehab or with someone who knows what the drugs might be doing, eg deliberately slowing your heart need a properly paced programme. You need to gently reintroduce yourself to exercise and don’t knock yourself out over it! A ramblers club would be better at first. A bit of exercise and a natter. You will probably find people with similar problems attending. Best Wishes.
you had some good advice, although I haven't read all the replies.
About 40% of us suffer mentally after a heart attack. So your not alone, and I understand your pain. I was diagnosed with PTSD after my HA just over 2 years ago.
I was told about EMDR by a friend, its available on the NHS ,but there is a long waiting list. I went private, it literally saved my life, I had 10 x 1 hour sessions and it worked for me. In layman's terms the traumatic events we suffer stay in the wrong part of the brain, therefore remain constantly on our minds.
EMDR helps to move these thoughts to the correct part of the brain. It is used by the military.
ive just been diagnosed with mircovascular angina and ive already been stented in my rca i dont know when im going to get an angina attack which goes on forever and is so painful i had burning in my neck the other day which is something new(dont know wether its cardiac related) plus perimenaupause, the mental side is very hard, i think you got to accept that it hss happened and try and get through day by day, some counselling might help, ring the British heart foundation nurses they are really good and may put you at ease. Its not all in your head you know your body if you got to go to a@e for peace of mind then do it, we are all here to try and help, big hugs ❤❤❤
Hello Sammyjoe77. I’m really sad that you feel the way you do, I feel like you but I’ve not even had a heart attack - but diagnosed with a <50% narrowing bin my LAD and now on a statin and aspirin. I was just in total shock and 6 months on I’m only just getting my head around it with the help of some lovely folks comments on here. I daren’t go to sleep initially in fear of never waking up. But I was told by my GP that, although we don’t particularly want ailments and illness but if we are going to get something then a “dodgy heart” is the thing to have as so much research has been done and people can live a “normal”’life with the help of surgical and/or medication. I thought it’s okay for you to say that when you haven’t been diagnosed but in a positive way we have had intervention meaning we are being looked after compared to some who are walking around without knowing, like BeKind has stated and she’s right.
Exercise certainly increases the happy endorphins. Running has been suggested to me by a couple of guys who have made the same suggestion to you on the forum but hey the volunteering sounds a great idea until you gain confidence in wanting to walk or have a jog. I might even do that - great idea! However, I bought myself a bike and am doing a couple of rides a week just around the area, nothing excessively until I get confident but so far so good. Yoga is great to calm the mind and nervous system and I attend a weekly class with some lovely ladies to chat to and I’m currently reading “Positivity” by Paul McKenna which includes free downloads which have begun to change my mind set, I can recommend that too. I’m still a work in progress like yourself and I totally understand your fear and when your mind works overtime, on reflection it can be irrational thinking but….our new normal. Please hang on in there, visit the forum for support, don’t Google, get out in the autumn now and take in the simple things like the changing colours of the leaves, bright days, walking and spending time with those who care about you and in time - we will all get there. Stay strong ❤️
Hi there - you’ve had good advice already, but just wanted to say what you’re experiencing is completely normal! I had a STEMI about 18 months ago. No artery issues, just a random clot. I too get panics that it’s happening again, but I’m starting to notice that they don’t happen every day. I did have counselling and that definitely helped. It was through cardiac rehab, but it might be worth asking your cardiologist about a referral to a cardiac psychologist. I think the Royal Brompton take referrals across the country for this, and with remote tech it’s easier to do now. All my counselling sessions were on Zoom. Take one day at a time, be kind to yourself and get your husband to wake you up with a nice cup of tea. You deserve it! X
It was FiftyNotOut that put this in there reply to you
I was asking them if they had any more information as I never knew about it and I am talking to my Surgeon on Tuesday and if anyone can be referred even if you do not live in London I would like if they would to look into it for me to
I was under the Brompton pre-heart attack for DCM (bizarrely unrelated to the HA) but the counselling I had was part of the cardiac rehab - which I was referred to by my heart attack cardiologist (at Imperial). I have, however, been offered counselling at the Brompton as well. Although I’m not absolutely certain I think you can be referred from anywhere in the UK. The lead psychologist is Dr Anne Marie Doyle x
Hidden Sammyjoe77 One suggestion. I’ve been reading Deborah James’s book, How to Live When You Could Be Dead. A lot of the things she covers are the sorts of things a therapist would go over. It’s worth a read x
hi Sammyjoe77 I’m having counselling and after a lot of should I shouldn’t I, I started sertraline just over 3 weeks ago. I’m 60 now after surviving a massive unexplained unexpected HA 14 months ago. I was very fit with normal cholesterol levels. Never smoked. They said I was mentally and physically intact after it because I’d been so fit.
Like you I thought I’d got away with the mental side of it until anxiety came calling. Mine is generalised anxiety not health anxiety which it sounds like you have.
Counselling is helping I pay for it as the Nhs has been to slow to be of any help for me. And the mental debate and anxiety I’ve had about starting sertraline 🙈🙈.
Problem is anxiety is not good for heart health. I spoke with my electrophysiologist who agreed I should try medication for anxiety ( he went away and looked into it and decided sertraline was probably the safest in regards to other medications and heart history).
So where am I 3 weeks into medication and 3 months of counselling.? I’m in a better place than I was. It’s still work in progress. I decided life is too short not to be able to live it and the counselling and now the medication is helping me to do that. We’re off to Madeira 6am tomorrow and I’ve managed to organise everything and pack without being crippled by my anxiety. The feelings are still there but have so far been manageable. And I’m still work in progress.
Your still young do something to help with your anxiety don’t let it rule you. Good luck.
i am sorry to hear that you have been left so confused and stunned by your heart condition - any sudden and serious health issue like this can have emotional consequences which can be hard to deal with - i hope you can find a counselor to help with this
in the meantime, has anyone suggested that your "heart attack" may have been an episode of Takotsubo or another form of Ischaemia with Non Obstructed Coronary Arteries (INOCA)? i notice that you say you live in Aberdeen - there is a team researching on Takotsubo at Aberdeen University, led by Prof Dana Dawson.
Unfortunately heart conditions where the blood supply to the heart muscle is reduced (Ischaemia) are underdiagnosed and poorly understood, these seem to be more common in women but the focus has been on the classic obstructive heart attack (MI).
I have lived with vasospastic angina a type of Ischaemia/Angina non obstructive coronary arteries INOCA/ANOCA for 10 years.
I end up in hospital once ot twice a year to be treated with IV GTN and morphine to settle my severe episodes of vasospastic angina. I acknowledge your feelings of bewilderment and uncertainty.
I sometimes feel I am walking a tight rope living with vasospastic angina.
I note you have had a stent, the usual treatment for obstructive coronary artery disease.
Microvascular and vasospastic are treated by medication. Stents don't help.
The BHF has this information about microvascular and vasospastic angina.
I suggest you ask for your GP to go through your angiogram results with you and explain your treatment. If necessary ask to be referred back to a Cardiologist if you are having ongoing problems.
Sometimes when a stent is fitted and it unviels microvascular or vasospastic angina.
Maybe take this as an opportunity to see how you can improve your lifestyle to help keep your heart healthy. Some people get no warning they have heart disease until too late.
You've had some great advice from others. Yoga is in my coping strategies tool box along with Tai Chi and Mindfulness Meditation 🧘♀️ Exercise and diet all in there too.
Have you spoken to your GP about how you are feeling? It may help as others have suggested to see a Clinical Psychologist.
Just read your bio and see you have thyroid issues. That could likely effect your heart and mental health too. Whilst I don’t have confidence in endocrinologists; other specialisms do not necessarily pay proper attention to thyroid issues. I recently got my hospital records only to find my thyroid was definitely in trouble before my heart attack. That was twenty years ago as I previously mentioned. This connection has been well known for many years - it’s why it’s checked when patients complain about heart issues. However unless it’s staring medics in the face (and maybe not) they do not do anything about it. It’s treated as a side issue. They don’t refer or monitor in many cases.
the good news is we have all at some stage dealt with this but are alive. What to do ?
You need to be proactive, little victories to decrease your worries. You can’t them in one go , so little steps and you will see such a difference in 6 months.
So what are the steps physical and mental.
Physical exercise go to cardio therapy swim, walk wether in the countryside or a nearby park have you a walking buddy ?
Mentally well one thing you are on this forum, what make you happy hobbies reading? Research your medications, make notes of side effects of these, be proactive if something is not right do something about it.
These little steps will really help, best of luck. Ps I find going to local comedy clubs good !
I can thoroughly sympathise with your situation. You are in a situation where you had a totally unexpected heart attack and what's even worse no-one can tell you why it happened. It's no wonder you are thinking about whether it is going to happen again. You haven't got anything to hold on to. Getting a firm diagnosis gives us something real to hang on to, come to terms with and focus on. The naming of parts is really important. When they say they don't know why your artery collapsed what they mean is either they can't be bothered to do tests which might establish why, or they don't have the expertise to tackle what might be a rare condition. I'm wondering whether it might be helpful to ask for your medical records to see whether they shed any light. The idea of a cardiac psychologist suggested by FiftyNotOut also sounds like a positive move.
Hi Sammy, I’m a 45yr old female and when age 44, had an investigatory CT Angio that picked up narrowing of the arteries (plural!) due to having experienced non-specific chest pain. Had an angiogram and they found a 90% blockage in my LAD, which was stented.
I know how you feel…..the being scared that something will suddenly happen linked to heart that may cause our death……how debilitating that fear is……worried about being left alone in case something happens……how our kids would be if that did happen…….can feel crippling!
I’ve been on thyroxine for over twenty years too. Strikes me there might be a link which is documented.
I’m due to have a stress test soon (no date given yet). Is it possible to ask for one? I can understand why you would want one. It can give quite reassuring results.
I try to not worry too much about the future as it isn’t promised to any of us, currently well or otherwise.
Meditation is helpful and I now walk most days. I’m not a runner but walking briskly I find freeing. I bought a treadmill on Facebook Marketplace for £60. I walk for 34 mins….2 mins warm up…..30 mins walking at 5.6km/h then a few mins cool down after. Helps to get rid of nervous tension. Releases those feel good chemicals.
Just wanted to reach out as we’re both female, around same age, with kids struggling with similar fears.
I know exactly what you mean what you are going through I went through this last year. Out of the blue in March 21 I had massive heart attack I was told they nearly lost me I had a stent put in my emotions where all over the place from having it then seeing all this pills I had to take I couldn’t have rehab because of the Covid I keep on crying all the time when I went to bed I would wake up in the night to see if I was still breathing it was awful time. A nurse used to call every now and then and he said start walking but you can only do five mins I am a Walker anyway but I felt in some ways he was making it worst he wasn’t but I felt like that. So I thought you know what I can’t be sitting around crying all the time wondering if I will wake up the next day so I set up a plan for myself I did a slow walk every morning in the garden for 20 mins I look on the BHF for gentle exercise I did them has well I didn’t do a lot of homework because I couldn’t but every day I noticed I was getting stronger I felt good in myself in the afternoon I would sit down watch a film my husband used to cook anyway and did the housework don’t get me wrong sometimes this feeling came over me I would think is my heart doing ok then I would stop start to panic but I said no come on you can do this. I know you said you haven’t got anything around you but you have you have your family you can can go for little walks take your spray gosh that spray is my best friend 🤣 you will be fine and on this site is fantastic. I have even spoke to a nurse on the BHF she was brilliant. Don’t be so hard on yourself you will be fine. Sending all my best wishes to you. x
ask your doc about breathing exercises to help your anxiety I had same problem its all about being positive try meditation or yoga we all suffer anxiety but you can overcome it
hi there, I know it’s easier said than done and when people say stop worrying it doesn’t help. I am a worrying type myself however I only stop worrying when I digest all information available and look at facts. So let’s look at your facts. Firstly you ECG shows okay. There are no problems WITH YOUR HEART ! Secondly you now have a stent so This means you would not have a heart attack. It is a good outcome to ensure these episodes don’t happen again. I am the one who sometimes need to be told to stop worrying but I know that having been through this once you cannot help but worry. However read the above again and ask yourself is there any factual reason why you should be worried? Apart from the fact that you experienced it and it wasn’t nice. I know, I know it’s making yourself thinking positively , but if doctors says there is nothing to fear, I would not fear anymore it’s just spoiling your life and those around you, for nothing, just find yourself a hobby focus on blue skies and bright sun tell yourself you do have a stent inside so your heart is good it keeps working perfectly well. And remember panic attacks often resemble heart attacks and one thing is for sure that if you stress yourself out then you do not help your heart either. The key is to say to yourself I am in a good place now and this is where I am staying. Tell yourself you are in the place where you want to be rather than convincing yourself that you are in a place where you are scared to be! Hope this helps just keep saying to yourself I am well and keep doing things you enjoy doing. Be well.
I'm female and had a heart attack and cardiac arrest (attributed to narrowing of an artery due to prolonged, severe stress) in January 2019, aged 44 and I understand how you feel.
I had counselling for PTSD and it's helped me to focus on the here and now and I think you would benefit from having some sessions. Speak to your GP who can refer you.
You've been through something awful and it will have an effect on your mental wellbeing but there is help out there. Try not to be too hard on yourself; you survived and should be making the most of your second chance. Not everyone is given the opportunity.
Would certainly echo the advice about exercise. It makes you feel so good, releasing adrenaline and endorphins into your bloodstream and making you feel positive about everything as you become fitter. I sympathise with you having to deal with this at such a young age, but I think the same holds good whatever your age, and a lot of it is psychological. You weren't worrying about your condition before the HA. You didn't know about it and it happened anyway, so is it any use worrying about it now? I try to tell myself that I will be a long time dead, so I won't let it take over the life I have left. Just go with the flow. Live your life as healthily as you can and you've done your best. Stressing about it is probably the worst thing you can do. Good luck!
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