Heart Attack then scared and anxious

[Gazza1871]

I had a heart attack on New Year’s Eve and had a stent fitted. Been released from hospital yesterday but now panic has set in. My mind is in overtime thinking I have pains,twinges ,heart beating funny. Live with just my daughter she is fantastic and looking after me but don’t want to talk to her about it and put pressure on her she’s only 16

Thank you

Gazza

[IamAli_R]

Hello Gazza1871,

I am sorry to hear that you are going through such a difficult time.

Having received support from the wonderful people on this forum I can assure you that you have come to the right place.

People are very generous with their time and knowledge o ln here and you will get lots of wonderful responses.

In the meantime, I suggest you search the old posts from people who have had heart attacks and that will give you an idea of what to expect moving forward.

I'm learning myself but having read the old posts and spoken to some wonderful people on here I can say that how you are feeling is normal. The anxiety will get better as you recover.

[Gazza1871 in reply to IamAli_R]

Thank you so much for your advice. Feeling better already from all the amazing advice and support.

[Hidden]

Hello

So sorry to hear you had a heart attack

I think most of us will say that when we have had a heart attack the moment we get home we feel so anxious and full of fear as we no longer have the Doctors and Nurses which helps makes us feel secure

What you have to try and remember is they would not have sent you home if they did not think everything was alright

They have had a good look at your heart and found the problem and put a stent in to open up that artery and now the blood is flowing nicely again

You no doubt will be in medications all of which will help protect and keep your heart working well

You heart has been tampered with while they put the stent in and we can feel a few twinges here and there it can take a few weeks to settle down as well as when we are feeling anxious we seem to feel every slight pain and even sometimes looking for one

It is going to take a while to build your confidence back up this is very early days but you will and if they offer you Rehab which they should in a few weeks or so then go it will help so much with your recovery

Your Daughter sounds lovely and caring but can totally understand you would not want to tell her how you feel so when you need to tell someone or ask any questions just come on here you are not alone x

[Gazza1871 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for listening and being there it’s such a great help and comfort. I’m trying to be more positive and I’m telling my daughter everything and we are closer than ever. So many amazing people on here

Thank you x

[Hidden in reply to Gazza1871]

Hello

It is amazing out of a bad situation what good things can happen and reading you and your Daughter are closer than ever is prove of that

Take a day at a time and your confidence will slowly come back and you and your Daughter will have so much to enjoy and look forward to

We are here if you need to talk x

[Hrty]

Hi and welcome.It's 6 weeks on from mine and I'm still struggling to come to terms with what's happened. Somewhat typically for me, I didn't have classic symptoms. Just a small ache in my left forearm towards the end of my swim followed my overwhelming nausea followed by burping for England in the changing room. Roll foward several hours and a trip to hospital in an ambulance as the paramedic wanted me checked out "just in case" and I'm eventually told it's a a HA (NSTEMI). Had angiograph but they decided not to stent, one area would have needed a kissing stent if done. Sent home after two nights with cocktail of drugs.

I have seen cardiologist since, and have another appt next week, spoken with GP and started rehab (and several calls from rehab nurses) but the worry and anxiety is still there. Even been back to A&E a couple of times to be checked out.

Reading through the experiences of others and knowing I'm not alone with this and the fear and worry is normal is a massive help. Things are getting better.

Take care.

[Gazza1871 in reply to Hrty]

hope your feeling better and always here to chat. Still anxious but not as bad as before. Hopefully theses feelings will soon pass

[Cruiser25]

Hi Gazza1871,

My advice is to let your daughter 'in' to help. I think is is far more difficult for those closest to us in these cases., easier being the patient! Feeling needed is a great way they can assist us to recover, after all we 'know' how we're feeling but they don't!

Things are so new and will get better, old cliche I know, but it just needs loads of time.

Good luck.

[Gazza1871]

Thank you I’ve talked openly with my daughter and we are closer than ever

[Gazza1871]

Thank you for your advice it’s so helpful knowing there are so many lovely people out there

[GFFF]

Welcome Gazza to the club none of us wanted to join

Like so many others on here I had a heart attack and stent fitted and it is a huge shock physically and emotionally. Remember that you have been through a huge trauma, so go easy on yourself, take things slowly at first, just potter round the house as much as you can & if you feel the need for a nap do it, no matter what time of day. You will no doubt be feeling worse as your body accepts a crazy cocktail of meds and this can take a good few weeks to adjust to. You will slowly start to regain your strength and importantly your confidence, look back on your first day at home and remind yourself how far you have improved. If you have questions never be afraid to ask on here, there is a wealth of experience and you will always get a response. Take care x

[Gazza1871 in reply to GFFF]

GFFF thank you so much never entered my mind about all the meds I’m taking and for my body to adjust. Great advice and very comforting thank you