Hi, Been lurking on the site since coming out of hospital just over a week ago.
Still struggling to come to terms with what's happened. I keep myself reasonably fit through regular swimming but, like many, had put on weight during the lockdowns and have been struggling to lose that.
Didn't feel right after my last swim and felt really sick in changing room. Ended up with paramedics called to my hoke later that afternoon. Taken into A&E and after bloods and ECG told I was having HA, bit of a shock when I thought I'd be sent home having pulled something, and that they'd start ACS treatment.
After a long night was admitted to CCU and had my angiograph. They decided not to stent, one blockage is at the junction of two arteries, and think I may have had a previous episode. Now taking a combination of drugs and have first appt with rehab later this week, although I did have a face to face with the consultant last week where he explained everything to my wife and I.
Apologies for long post but its quite theraputic to write things down. As well as the physical side of things I'm still coming to terms with the emotional stuff. I got myself into a bit of a state at the weekend because of an ache in my armso eventually went back to hospital to be checked out. They were absolutely lovely and checked me out very quickly.
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Hrty
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Hello & Welcome
You will have no doubt read some posts with people been fit yet had a heart attack and how psychology how they are struggling to come to terms with it more than the physical side it is quite common and you are not on your own feeling the way you do
After my first heart attack I was just the same and even though it resulted eventually in me needing a triple Bypass I still am 16 months later struggling with the effect it has had on me mentally
Every twinge sensation I am like a rabbit in the headlights and on red alert and I can get quite annoyed with myself not been able to control it but maybe that is where I go wrong I try and fight how I feel rather than accept it till I grow in confidence which there is no time limit some take longer than others
For you it is very early days and everything you have said to me is a normal reaction
You will regain your confidence again but if you find you are really struggling then speak with your Doctor they can refer you for Counselling if needed
I hope knowing you have somewhere to come and talk and realising it is not just you will help x
Cardio Rehab was an important turning point for me and for many others on this forum. Happily it seems to be returning to face-to-face, which gives you an opportunity to meet many others in exactly the same situation as yourself.
The bottom line is that we only have two tools to keep ourselves fit and healthy in the years ahead, medication and life style changes.
Stents and bypass surgery can relieve angina symptoms, and even save our lives if administered during the course of a heart attack, but they can't cure our underlying heart disease, and they don't even materially reduce the risk of future heart attacks or strokes.
This is why Cardio Rehab is so important, over the course of about six weeks they'll spell out the importance of medication and exactly how it should be taken (astonishingly about half the medication prescribed in Britain is either never taken or taken incorrectly). And they'll go through all the critical life style changes that you should be implementing. Just as important, because it's spread over several weeks and conducted in an informal and friendly atmosphere, it will give you the opportunity to ask all the questions that will keep popping into your head!
Because you're used to regular exercise you're already off to a great start, and hopefully this experience will give you the motivation you need to finally shed those excess lockdown pounds!
The really positive message that I took from Cardio Rehab is that with sufficient application many of us, possibly even most of us, can reduce our risk of future heart attacks and strokes back down to that of the general population. And that's got be a prize worth really going for!
It's very common to find a heart problem very upsetting. The rehab course should help, by showing you how best to exercise, and giving you a chance to talk to others in the same situation. My course also included a series of talks on meds, diet, and advice on coping with anxiety. I hope youre is as helpful.
Hello and welcome to the forum. It’s a huge shock for you and your loved one when something like this happens and it takes quite some time to come to terms with it all. By that I mean from it actually happening, finding out about it, starting on meds, worrying about the impact on work, exercise, relationships etc. What you’re going through is normal.
The BHF nurse helpline is brilliant. The nurses themselves are so kind, knowledgeable and helpful. I’d recommend giving them a ring when you have questions or just feel like a chat with someone who understands. 0300 330 3311, weekday office hours.
My husband - he’s the heartie in our family - found it useful to keep a daily diary. He wrote down BP & HR how he felt, how he slept, meds he took and how they made him feel, questions as he thought of them etc. It’s meant he has an objective record to discuss at reviews and also to look back on and see how he’s progressing. We go together to appointments and I take notes as it’s so easy to walk out the door and find everything that was said flies out of your mind.
This forum is a wonderful support too so feel free to shout out whenever you feel like it, even if it’s for a rant or a whinge!
As everyone has said it will take time to adjust to what has happened. Its important to be kind to yourself and remember that you have been through something massive, bouncing back may take a little time.
Talking about how you feel is important, dont bottle it up - Shars idea of a diary is a really good one.
You will rebuild your confidence a day at a time, just dont be too hard on yourself.
hi I had hart attack 8 weeks ago, after being fit & active all my life, (55 last week)
The first 3 weeks were hard to get my head around what has gone on, & I still struggle every now & then & break down from time to time but it is getting a lot better now.
Like you I ended up back in hospital for a night due to pains in my chest, which turned out to be muscular, but in the early stages you do worry about every ache.
I had third session of cardiac rehab circuit training today which is great as you learn to listen to your body more, & have time at the end of session to ask questions, & talk to people who have had similar to you.
This is my first night on here & I wish I had done this earlier like you are doing.
Welcome. So many of us have been here, got the t shirt... It is horrible feeling that part of your body is letting you down, but there are effective treatments if you want to take care of your own health. Love and best wishes.
Thank you all for taking the time to respond it really helps to know that others understand how you feel. I've got a telephone appt with rehab later this week and it will be good to get underway with that. I like the diary idea, as does my wife. My memory is like a sieve at the best of times, writing things down will help when talking with the professionals. Thanks again
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