Hello,

[Valentina98]

Hi,

my name is Valentina in 24 and just had a heart attack, I've just found out a few other conditions as well.

I am a little overweight but I've been on slimming world and I've recently started running. I was on a run when I had my heart attack.

I'm just looking for some support and advice.

Thanks

V ❤️

[Hidden]

Welcome.

I assume you have been cleared by your medics to recommence running. If not I suggest you talk to them. If you are in the UK there is a programme of cardiac rehabilitation usually available to heart attack victims when the basics of life going forward are covered including diet and the need for regular exercise. If you have not been offered that (and you are in the UK) you need to talk to your hospital.

[Valentina98 in reply to Hidden]

I haven't run since the heart attack, But I've been told I could be able to ease back in next month I am in the UK and been offered some cardiac rehabilitation

[Hidden]

Hello & Welcome

What a lovely name

I am really sorry to hear you had a heart attack and so young as well must be a lot to get your head round but this has been a warning sign and you have already started to make changes with your diet which I know you will continue and lose even more weight , I suppose you are on the usual medications as well to now protect your heart as well as getting help with your other health conditions

I hope you got the telephone number for a Rehab Nurse at your Hospital who you can talk to and join their Rehab classes which will show you how to gently ease yourself into exercising again

You are young enough to make a good recovery

Anything particular you want to know just ask and we will do our best to answer you x

[Valentina98 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you, My Mum is Spanish so she had the final say in my name, plus she says she found out she was having a girl on valentine's day. I'm actually an August baby.

I have all the information from the hospital they have adjusted my diet slightly.

Thank you for your kind words

1

[Hidden in reply to Valentina98]

Hello

Somehow I did not think it sounded like an English name but your Mum picked a beautiful name with a lovely sentiment to it

I am glad the Hospital sent you out with all that information this will help you to make a good recovery and stay well x

[Joliv61]

welcome to the hearties club. Do the cardiac rehab when it’s offered, it gives you the confidence that you can exercise and push yourself without worries.

Hopefully your cardiac team will have gone through all of your risk factors with you? Change the ones you can eg diet/drinking/smoking..…can’t do much if hereditary is one but you get my drift.

I started my rehab with walking, and was only allowed a few minutes out each day: gradually I built it up to 3-5 mile power walks without being worried.

Hopefully you will be sorted with a course of treatment whether it be meds stents or something more. But don’t worry about that they do it every day.

Good luck with the rehab…

[Valentina98 in reply to Joliv61]

Thank you,

Yes I have an appointment with the cardiac rehabilitation team later this week.

I was already on a diet, but we've gone through the risk factors, the biggest one is stress... I'm a secondary school teacher I'm always stressed.

Hopefully I can get back running soon (but I will follow the advice given) as I've signed up for a 10k next year.

I'm currently on meds but they have discussed having a stent. We'll see.

Thank you x

[Joliv61 in reply to Valentina98]

don’t worry about stents, I was terrified and had 3 fitted. But didn’t feel a thing it was all very relaxed. And I’m scared of needles too…

[Hidden]

Dear Valentina98

A warm welcome to you and your beautiful name to this forum that I hope can be as much help to you with support and information as it has to me and many others.

Oh my sweet lord what a haunting and sad post your first one is and I knew that I had to reply to you as I tuck in to my morning coffee.

What a shock it must have been to have such a horrible thing happen to you not only at your age but also when you are trying to address your weight problem.

You are indeed a brave individual in telling us a little of your story and I for one can only hope to support you the best I can during your recovery.

I will never judge you, you know your body and you know what needs to be done to help it recover for you to go on and live a full life.

Take care and please keep us informed

Know that you are never alone, we are here if you need us.

[Milkfairy Heart Star]

Hello Valentina,

I am sorry to hear of your experience.

Have your Cardiology team said why you had a heart attack?

Usually heart attacks are caused by a permanent blockage of the arteries, which are treated by a stent.

Plaque builds up in arteries as we age. It can build up more quickly in people with a family history of heart disease or inherited high cholesterol levels.

About 10% of heart attacks occur when there is no permanent blockages, known as a Myocardial Infarction non obstructive coronary arteries, MINOCA .

It's important to know why you had a heart attack so you can be offered the appropriate treatment.

[Valentina98 in reply to Milkfairy]

Hi Milkfaiy

I think they have, but its been a hectic couple of days. I don't think it's fully sunk in whats happened to me.

I will make sure I get details at my next appointment, and make sure I fully understand

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to Valentina98]

Perhaps write down the questions you would like answered?

Don't be afraid of asking the doctors or cardiac rehab team to explain something again if you didn't understand first time around.

[Valentina98 in reply to Milkfairy]

Yes, I'm going to have to write a load of questions for them.

[Anon2023]

hi Valentina, welcome to the forum. I’m gutted that you have these health problems, particularly at 23. I’m hoping that you have been able to take some time off work to recover as the classroom is probably one of the least relaxing places I can think of!! Maybe go out for short walks and gradually increase the length but be guided by what the cardiac team say is ok. I’m sure that you will be feeling better soon but don’t forget that you are not alone and just post if you need reassurance or need to talk. X

[Valentina98 in reply to Anon2023]

Hi Anon2023

I've so far got a week off work, but that may be increased when I have my next appointment. No a classroom full of teenagers isn't very relaxing.

I've got an appointment with the rehab team on Thursday so I'll ask what exercises I can start doing. I know it will be gentle to start.

[Anon2023 in reply to Valentina98]

make sure you take time to recover and that occupational health put a sensible phased return in place. Good luck. X

[Qualipop]

WHat an awful s hock when so young. Absolutely do the rehab and try to find out just how serious it was and how much damage was done to your heart. Take the rehab nurses advice about how much to do and how soon. Take all the medication but don't put up with bad side effects. If there are any, ask your G P to change them. The advice is always, no smoking, a Mediteranean diet, losing weight if necessary and exercise. The BHF main website has hundreds of heart healthy recipes. Good luck.

[Valentina98 in reply to Qualipop]

Hi Qualipop

I was doing slimming world, before this ive been told I can still do it, just make a few changes and make sure I tell my sw consultant. I don't smoke but I do like a gin on a Friday night after a long week at work. I'll cut that now. My Mum is Spanish and loves cooking so she's already researched meals I can have and started batch cooking.

So far no real side effects yet apart from being very sleepy but that could be my body recovering

[ClaydonAR]

Hello Valentina,

Firstly, I am extremely sorry to hear that you had a Heart Attack at such a young age. I am now 36 and had my Heart Attack at the age of 33. I was devastated. And to be honest, mentally, I am still recovering from it. Some days are harder than others, however, this group has been extremely supportive with all the information and emotional help. As others have suggested, make sure that you have your questions ready before you see the Consultant. Don’t leave his room until you are satisfied with everything, as they tend to just fob you off most often. And also listen to your rehab nurse. Also, if they are suggesting any investigations (CT Angiogram, Angiography, ECG, Exercise Tolerance Test, etc) make sure they explain you all the findings and what they mean to you.

You take care and reach out to any one of us, if you need ANY further help. I am sure that people here will gladly help you.

[Valentina98 in reply to ClaydonAR]

Hi Claydon

Thank you for your advice.

I still can't believe it happened to me. I don't know if I ever will. I've cried so much the past few days

[ClaydonAR in reply to Valentina98]

Hey Valentina,

Pretty much every single person will understand exactly what you are going through. It’s not very easy to forget and I don’t think we will ever forget.

My HA was brought on due to my genetics. Make sure that you ask your consultant about that too.

Take care.