Hello my husband had a heart attack on Boxing Day so this is all very new to us...he is 52,a non smoker always led a healthy active life but heart problems are in his family,on his father's side.My husband was discharged last Wednesday and doesn't have his cardiac rehabilitation appointment until the 12th and I'm just wondering how I help him move forward...we were told rest and recuperate and he's doing this but also wondering about next step of building himself up...is it best to hold fire until he's had his rehab appointment?Everything seems very overwhelming right now.
All new to us.: Hello my husband had a... - British Heart Fou...
All new to us.
Personally I think it takes time to get your head around what has happened and it is only a week until the rehab appointment (which is brilliant by the way). I am sure he can do the usual things around the house as long as he doesn't exert himself in the mean while.
You didn't mention if he had a stent fitted or is being treated with medication only.
The rehab will explain things to him and monitor him, he'll find it really beneficial.
Hi yes he had a stent fitted,his artery was 99% blocked plus he is also on medication for life..9 tablets a day.
If he had a stent fitted then that can knock you for 6, I had 2 fitted October 21 and I felt awful. Yes he should rest but as I said he can still do the usual things around the house but nothing too energetic. The rehab nurse will talk him fully through the do's and don'ts, as I said he is very lucky to see the rehab nurse so quickly many wait months.
You are in the best place to gather advice most people here have been there and done that (unfortunately)
Thank you....I've debated about signing up and actually asking a question for a few days...I'm glad I took the plunge...
This forum has helped me no end. Diagnosed with two heart conditions and I have been given extremely valuable advice which has actually helped me take control of my treatment and some excellent mental health support. Horrible news for your family. I would say even though itโs early get straight on to some sort of mental health therapy. Good luck with everything.
Wait until Cardio Rehab on the 12th, it's only a week away and there's nothing to be gained from jumping the gun.
I'd also say keep an open mind, don't go into Cardio Rehab having already decided that DNA is the villain in all this.
Many people conclude their heart problems are genetic, and that they've followed an exemplary life style so there's nothing more they can do in that respect. I'm sure you've heard the expression, some disabilities you can't see? Well, some life style issues are a bit like that. Just because a person isn't obese or puffing away on forty cigarettes a day, doesn't mean they've optimised their life style.
For example there's a clear connection between gum disease and heart disease, so some people need to follow particularly rigorous oral hygiene routine to keep themselves safe. Or there's a whole area of sleep related issues under the life style umbrella, from excessive snoring and sleep apnea, through to shift work and the sleep disruption that entails.
There's also the fact that life style and genetics don't have clear separation lines between them. For example about 17% of the population carries a gene that makes them more prone to heart disease, but only when they drink alcohol or eat processed meats. So is that primarily a genetic issue or a life style issue? There's also the fact that until fairly recently even non smokers often spent much of their lives in smoke filled environments, and unfortunately that can damage the delicate lining of our arteries just as effectively as inhaling nicotine.
One of the great benefits of the Cardio Rehab programme is that it allows for all these issues, and many more besides, to be fully explored in a safe and supportive environment. I'm sure your husband will find it enormously useful.
Good luck!
Thank you....I appreciate your reply...it's difficult as this was what the cardiologist told my husband...that it was hereditary.,my husband's father had his first heart attack in his forties...now in his 70s he has 7 stents and five years ago had a bypass,his two older sisters have heart conditions and two older brothers died from heart attacks ....all very glum to read...so this is why they said hereditary.I guess we'll see what happens....it's certainly a mine field!
You said this to me about the dna. And I was slim fit running 25-35k a week non smoker 35 years surfing โฆ.. but I was eating far too many sweet things hammering crisps and chips at the weekend which included Friday. After a week of good eating Friday Saturday and Sunday was crisps and treats and a few beers etc. Many people would be fine with this many would never develop a problem but certainly my DNA and family history meant I was playing roulette by not optimising my health. Hindsight is a cruel vision. Mentally Iโm still beating myself up but also have embraced moving forward Iโm not just taking the pills Iโm doing everything possible health wise. Good advice man.
Genetics are the cause of most heart problems in adults simple as that, just as most bald mens sons go bald and parents prone to cancer pose a huge risk to their children developing cancer. My father and his siblings with the exception of one all suffered from heart problems and hence did myself and my other two siblings. My wifes parents had no history of heart issues and hence both lived well into their eighties. All their children 11 in total ranging from 55 to 80yrs old are still alive and kicking with no heart problems at all. The good news is that treatment is so good now that if you have regular check ups and look after yourself you can easily live a normal lifespan. Genetics are taken very seriously by the medical profession and give a snapshot into future health issues.
I guess we'll just have to agree to disagree.
The great weight of evidence is that life style is more important than genetics in determining heart health outcomes. Family history will obviously resonate with individuals, but we have to look beyond that to hard, objective data.
Pointing to trends within families is fraught with difficulties, ranging from the simple fact that families tend to embrace similar life styles as well as similar genetics, to the problem that medical records are rarely as accurate as we'd like.
There are over fifty genes that have a bearing on heart health, most of us carry some problem heart genes. The only ones that have the hard, deterministic outcomes of say baldness genes, are the genes determining Familial Hypercholesterolemia. Consequently these are the only genes that the NHS will test for in the context of heart health. The good news is that the medication for FH is both superbly effective and improving all the time.
I paid for a private DNA heart health test, happily I don't carry too many of the main problem genes (didn't stop me developing atherosclerosis though) but the medical advice is that life style changes can hugely mitigate the risk for virtually all the problem heart genes. For example about 17% of the population carry the APO E3 gene and have an elevated risk of heart attack, stroke and Alzheimers, but if those same people dramatically reduce alcohol and processed meats their risk falls back to that of the general population.
In the UK the primary NHS risk tool for evaluating heart risk is QRisk 3. Yes, it does include family heart history as a risk factor. But family history is only very minor factor, and it's totally swamped by life style driven issues like obesity or smoking, or life style related co-morbidities like T2 diabetes. Those tables are all public domain, so you're free to evaluate them for yourself.
And a final, compelling piece of evidence is this. Since the 1960's deaths from heart disease have virtually halved. But our genes haven't changed in the slightest. By and large the main medication most of us take hasn't changed either (the great majority of our medication fell out of patent years ago). The biggest single explanation is the decline in smoking, life style changes really do work.
Good luck!
That was very informative made a lot of sense. My family has heart issues mum and dad's side as well though neither parent died of heart problems.
All my 5 siblings have heart problems one died aged 49 I'm the only one with afib though.
I hope I haven't passed it on to my son and daughter.
I do not disagree with you only on the genetic issue which is a huge precurser to heart problems if the genes are inherited. Yes a lot of the drugs we use are long out of patent alongside a wide spectrum of newer drugs. I think we utilise these drugs much more sensibly now whether old or new mostly due to highly efficient imaging technology and procedures which are improving yearly. I fully agree smoking is the worst all round practice for your health that you can do. I also know that too much alcohol is cardio toxic and will cause heart problems to worsen so agree with low moderation. I also fully believe that reqular exercise is extreemly important to your heart health as well as most other health issues. I do not smoke since I was late 30s (35yrs ago), maybe drink 2 tins of Guinness on a Friday or Saturday and walk 5 miles daily. Still I am aware my father at 83 with dilated cardiomyopathy (basically heart failure} and his siblings all died from heart attacks and I have inherited the genes so I feel that having full annual checks (private health insurance) is a very sensible thing for me to do. So only one minor difference between us which I know to be correct. Have a very healthy and happy new year.
Thank you....that's great!It's so easy for me to take the "wrap him up in cotton wool" attitude as I don't ever want to witness what I witnessed on Boxing Day ever again... he was scared I was petrified!He was nagging to come home the day after his stent was fitted,since coming home he has been doing bits around the house...he has never been a sit still and watch tv sort and we have had a couple of walks around the garden I guess I just wanted someone to say he's not doing anything wrong in wanting to move forward and the key thing for him going forward is to listen to his body and rest when he needs to.
Dear airlie37
Yes you did well to join the BHF team. I urge that you restrict your internet searches to the BHF and NHS sites. Dr Google is a real no no..
Little tip for right nowโฆ
Walk with your hubby and get him to chat throughout the walk.
Good riddance to 2022 and welcome in 2023.
Best wishes
Wow....that was fast!๐
Thanks for your honest reply...we both really appreciate it (I've been telling my hubby)...there's been alot for us to deal with and get our head's around but just reading your's (and everyone else's!!) comments makes me feel that there's light at the end of the tunnel...so THANKYOU ๐
Hello & Welcome
It comes as a shock when we have a heart attack for loved one's to and you do feel when you are back home now what do we do and of course it is normal to worry
Everyone's recovery is different and everyone's recovery can go at a different pace some seem to get back up quicker than others but it does not matter which it is as long as you get there and he will
It is very early days and as someone has said just a week before he gets to speak with someone who will take you through everything it can be a good idea if lot's of questions are whizzing round in your head that you write them down so you can ask them and not forget as it is so easy to when we are there
Mean time I think resting , pottering about if he feels comfortable with it then I would take it easy till they give him more advice how far to push himself and at what pace as we are all different
A little walk if he feels up to it won't harm him best idea really is for him to listen to his own body it usually tells us how we feel
Things will get better it just takes a little while and after next week when you get to talk to someone I think that will help you to feel less anxious
Keep us updated how he gets on and how you are doing to x
Thankyou(I'm saying that alot today!)I'm overwhelmed with the responses I've had and so relieved I bit the bullet and posted.
We just felt in limbo really....heart attack, stent fitted,couple of days of observation and then home with an overwhelming sense of crikey what now?My hubby was told to rest and recuperate but bit by bit has wanted to start getting on and I was just concerned he was pushing himself too soon....I'm trying so hard to feel less panicky....but I don't think I'll ever stop worrying and watching him ๐
Good advice about writing down questions...we are struggling with remembering what day it is right now!
Hello
I am glad you decided to join as I hope it helps knowing you are not alone as you are not
I have heard so many and read so many posts that they feel they have been abandoned when they have been sent home
It is a positive though he feels already he wants to get up and moving see that as a good sign
Just be bossy and tell him to pace himself and have a little rest if he feels like one
You feel at the moment you will never stop worrying but eventually it will get less till you just worry as we all do about our loved one's at a normal level
Not sure if you have come across the BHF Rehab Nurses contact details who are so good in talking things through with people and giving advice
I will put you their details down and if you ever feel you want contact them even for some reassurance you will have them then
So many on here have contacted them at one time or another and found it really helpful x
Heart Helpline team on 0300 330 3311 Mon-Fri 9-5pm or email hearthelpline@bhf.org.uk
That helps us(and mainly me!,)more than you will ever know ๐Congratulations on your achievements...just amazing....and thankyou.. AGAIN for taking the time to reply.
Best wishes
My comment was going to be similar to Bekind28. Everyone is different and go at your own pace. It can also depend on how much damage the heart attack did to your heart and any other disease in there.
I had my heart attack 8 years ago at 49, spent 1 week in hospital waiting for my first stent repair, fully blocked artery. I started light walking in the first week and did all the rehab but suffered with ongoing chest pains at exertion. I had to have two further stents at 12 month intervals due to partially blocked arteries and now have heart failure.
I have 4 brothers all have heart disease. My younger brother had a heart attack and 1 stent and has been completely fine since, 9 years ago.
Like I say, everyone is different so go at your own comfortable pace.
Good luck with the recovery.
Thankyou for your reply...that certainly seems to be the key information....for my husband to go at his own pace as everyone is different...I certainly feel less apprehensive for his recovery going forward...I'm so glad I posted my question!He also feels a little more upbeat,as I've read every single reply to him.Now to see what happens next week at the cardiac rehabilitation appointment ๐
Welcome Airlie37, I feel for you, my wife witnessed my heart attack @ 5.30 in the morning in all it's unwelcome glory! She was terrified and I was more scared than I have ever been, not good. However, this is the beginning of a new chapter and the opportunity to do things differently.
Blackcatsooty mentioned a great idea. Accompany hubby on a few walks and chat along the way, because early exercising ideally calls for being able to hold a conversation, whilst exercising, Quick check, too out of breath to talk?...slow down until he can, able to do so easily, then should be able to do a little more. But he must not ignore any discomfort or pains, he'll soon get to recognise when when it's telling him to ease off a bit. Rehab is brill, a 'safe' environment to push and explore boundaries all under well qualified supervision.
I wish you both all the best, the meds and lifestyle changes are absolutely vital ad will provide the best outcomes for him....and you. Good luck.
focus on a much healthier diet, mostly plant based, following forks over knives and dr essylstein. Triglycerides to hdl ratio is very important. You want a 1-1 ratio, 2-1 at the most.
Thankyou for your reply... I will definitely look into that,I've already started to go through both of our diets though we've always eaten a balanced diet I'm really looking into the "nitty gritty"now.
what are his triglycerides and hdl levels and ratio? I thought i always eat healthy but my hdl was way too low and my triglycerides were way too high, which is how the artery plaque accumulates. I exercised and played sports my entire life but the diet was the problem. The cereal i thought was healthy, had glyphosate pesticides and the foods i ate had phytic acid in grains, nuts and beans. Also, frozen dinners had no nutrition in them.
My husband has had two heart attacks and a third narrowly avoided. Each time he was told to build up gradually. He did rehab first massive heart attack (pre Covid) but second ha and his third procedure was just before and then in lockdown so wasnโt on offer. He was able to ring cardio rehab if he needed to and they would return call. He was advised to very slowly build up, no hoovering lol, lifting heavy things but he could walk five minutes after few days and build up from there. His disease is both sides of heart. Take it steady, he should definitely go to cardio rehab (I was allowed pre Covid to go with him on the last session so I could hear what was said and ask questions). Very scary times but together you will begin to find your path through. Take Care of yourself too x
Good Morning Airliie37.I amso sorry to hear. Rest is so very important.
I wish you both all the very best.
Regards
Michelle
So sorry hear your news and rest assured you are doing the right things by asking for advise here.
This place helped me a lot when I had my HA in August last year, similar situation. 51, never smoked and very fit and what I thought was healthy but genetics (family history) and diet got me and had a stent fitted.
Best advise as everyone said Is go slow, take time and go for walks. He will have good days and bad days but donโt push them just yet.
Also donโt be afraid to call up the cardiac unit if he feels unsure or unwell as they will be super helpful and reassure you. Random pains and anxiety is a common symptom after such an event so donโt panic.
The rehab classes for me was a game changer as it was Iโll show him that heโs not made of glass and on the track to a full recovery. Rehab classes is the one thing is say to make sure he attends and follows all their advice even if he was very active before. Owning a full time gym myself I initially dismissed it BUT by the end It was the highlight of my week.
There is hope, he can bounce back stronger than before as heโs young and can make the changes needed while is still young.
Good luck ๐ค
Thank you for your reply...I will definitely make sure he attends the rehab classes from all the comments I have received they certainly seem to be a game changer, even though we've seen heart attacks before in the family to experience it first hand was something else,I was unsure of the next plan but the advice I've received on here has been amazing... general pottering around the house,little walks, communication, diet,rest and recuperate...I honestly can't thank people enough for listening, encouraging and for taking time out of their day to give sound advice!
Hi Airlie, good to hear heโs keen to get on with living an active life.
My story is a little different from most.
Iโve never been one to visit doctors or hospitals as they are full of sick people and I donโt want to catch anything.
I had a positive bowel test early 2020, but Covid hit and my consultation was cancelled, it was a few months later that my GP reacted to my informing her that things had changed, and this resulted in being rushed in for a resection.
Next we have the chemo, and although my oncology pathologist friend said I could probably manage without, I went ahead. Two cycles in and I suffered a heart attack. There were artery problems, but the Capecitabine exacerbated them.
So blue lighted into QE and stent fitted. Then on waiting list for Cabbage (bypass surgery).
Triple performed June 22, and all went well. Now back to my old self.
From your previous comments I suspect your rehab is at Selly Oak Methodist, I hope you get the same doctor as we did, sheโs a hoot.
Donโt fuss too much, heโll know how much he can manage.
Inch by inch anything is a cinch, itโs harder by the yard.
Hi Airlie37,
I've not much to add to what has already been said, other than for both of you to keep positive. The mental side of recovery following a heart event is just as important as is the physical.
My situation was very similar to your husband's and due to a combination of an hereditary condition and stress. Having my artery unblocked and stented provided me with an improvement I had not realised I needed. It wasn't long before I was doing all the things I had been doing, but with greater ease and I've gone on to be much fitter than I was before my heart attack.
I too would suggest that initially you both go for short walks - it will help you to see how your husband is coping physically and get you both out of the home environment. The hardest time for you will be when he wants to go solo. When that eventually comes, agree a route for him to take and ensure that he takes a mobile phone with him.
With my very best wishes for the future,
Gerald
Thank you Gerald your story is uplifting and filled my heart!I don't think mentally I will ever get over that day or the images I saw...but I am trying, for both our sakes as my husband will worry about me and that isn't good for him!Thankyou for your positivity and your advice.I can see improvement in him already and although he is already bored of "stay at home"life I know how frightened he was with the whole situation so he will take it slow and follow all advice...for both our sakes ๐
Best wishes to you too
Alison
Hi Alison,
Do look after yourself as it is as important as your husband getting over what happened to him. In my case my wife was not present when I had my heart attack, but it certainly shook her when I phoned her to say that I had called 999 and was awaiting the ambulance. It took her quite a while to get over it. My daughter was also very concerned and got leave to drive up from Cornwall the following day which took her over 5 hours.
One of my interests is hill walking and I was very keen to get back on the hills. I was mindful of my wife's concern, started on easy ones and agreed my route with regular check-ins to home. It went very well and outing by outing my wife relaxed more and more.
I had an elective triple bypass 11 months after my heart attack / stents and again we agreed the route back to fitness. Initially the op knocked me back further than the heart attack had, but with my wife's help I slowly got back to doing walks, again agreeing routes and taking my phone with me.
I now drive 4 hours up into Scotland, climb a couple of Munros and then drive back, all in the same day. We still keep in regular contact throughout the day. Whatsapp is great for sending her photos of where I am. Unfortunately she cannot walk more than a few miles on the flat, so is unable to come with me. I don't think she is too worried as getting up at 3 a.m. is not her list of favourite things to do. ๐
All the best,
Gerald
I think the biggest thing I have learnt from you and everyone else is that there is life after a heart attack....you have gone back to doing what you love and enjoy and that fills me with joy....things seem so scary and overwhelming for us right now,thrust into a world we were not expecting,even with family history,I think we'd been blinkered into thinking it wouldn't happen to my husband as he has always been active he only stopped playing football two years ago at the age of 50 ,unlike his two younger siblings who are 1) overweight and 2) smokers I guess I/we always thought it would be them(though I'm not wishing this on anyone!)I'm so glad I asked my question yesterday...I feel more positive that things can and will improve....your stories have given me confidence and belief and I'm incredibly grateful ๐
Best wishes
Alison
I have been in your husband's shoes, and my wife in yours. He needs to take at least a month, maybe even more, to just rest (and start light activity when allowed) and process. Personally I tried to walk 2x a day, even just a few hundred yards at a time. But frankly, I spent a LOT of time in bed. I was physically and emotionally beat up.
His initial sick note is for six weeks and he has already said he will take all the time he needs and if that's beyond six weeks then so be it.Hes currently doing one short walk, slow pace only out less than ten minutes,feels fine no pains...for now we'll wait for his cardiac rehabilitation appointment and then hopefully have a better plan from then on.
Thankyou for taking time to reply and best wishes to you ๐
Food for thought, my GP who annoyingly has now left the practice, sat me down after my heart attack and said v firmly, my sick note would be measured in months, he wanted it to be 3 but we settled on 2! Only then did I begin to realise just how lucky I'd been & how serious it was...I was feeling pretty well considering, but that reality weirdly helped. In the end I was off for six months and he again wanted to approve my staged return to work, which I must say have been absolutely brilliant.... and still are.
It's sometimes a fine balance between encouraging his recovery vs being the bad guy (slowing him down a bit) vs being there when he's ready to talk about it & allowing him to be reassured you're ok, that for me was a biggie & allowed me to progress more quickly.
There's plenty that you'll seem to get wrong, expect some angry outbursts... it's not aimed at you, just the emotions coming out of him & they need to come out, he's been through a trauma, but he's still him & he's ok.
It'll take as long as it takes, and you'll learn together, hug more that's my motto .
x
Iโve noticed it mentioned here the changes that can be made to optimise physical health. I would just like to mention mental health momentarily.
A few of the physical causes or driving factors have been mentioned, but I notice you say your husband is more a doโer and isnโt one to just sit around. As evidenced by his eagerness to want to do things so soon after his HA.
Being a doโer is great. Wanting to be active is also great. But we as humans also need to add in down time, the ability to rest, to unwind, not only our bodies but our minds too. The ability to talk about how he is feeling, and not suppressing. The ability to say โnoโ to things. Engaging in self-care/self-soothing activities.
Itโs well documented the physiological effects of stress/anxiety on our body. The release of cortisol and adrenaline over a prolonged period of time can be damaging.
So whilst I agree becoming physically optimised is great, knowing when to relax and unwind the body and mind I feel is equally as important.
Can be difficult for some doโers.
All the very best to you and your husband as he navigates through the emotional adjustment following this sudden and scary experience, Sal.
My husband has never really been one to think about his mental well-being or have time to just sit and read for example....but at the beginning of this week I came home after taking our dog for a walk to find him engrossed in colouring in a picture in an adult colouring book of mine....and he has done this every morning since....I'm amazed and relieved also that although a small thing for some it's massive for him.His employers offer counselling,it comes with the matter of the job.... so there's already something set up for when he is ready.I think when the time is right for both of us we need to talk through what's happened cos there's thoughts and images in our heads that need to come out.
Thank you for taking the time to message me I'm truly grateful ๐
Any time, itโs a sudden and scary thing to have occurred. He and you both may begin to feel vulnerable and exposed. There is always merit in reminding ourselves that our bodies give us messages for us to take a form of action. Yes this awful message (the HA) has indicated there could be physical changes to be made. But one cannot underestimate the need to slow down, talk more openly and find time to self-soothe.
Good luck to you both ๐ฅฐ
I was inthe same position almost 5 years ag o. The standard collection of tablets. Some of hem can really cause problems so give them 2 or 3 weeks to settle down and if any problems persist, contact his GP. I ended up having every tablet changed during the first year. I had a couple of weeks when I could barely get out of the chair (tablet related) but then started just pottering about the house. I didn't have the benefit of rehab which I desperately wanted if, for nothing else, to boost my confidence. I'm in a wheelchair and they insisted I wouldn't be able to do rehab yet all the more reason to need it. I started just walking around the house, then to the end of the drive then the end of the street. It may help his confidence if you go with him. Slow and steady and don't push himself too far in the first few weeks. He will get advice on lifestyle; mainly diet . Take it- it really helps. (PS Mine was also family related - not one of my grandfather's 12 siblings lived beyond 50 yet my GP never mentioned family history)
all I am going to say as I am not diagnosed at present and I have complicated autoimmune disease set as well is these forums have been a blessing. Just ask questions and use the BHF helpline if needed. I called them last week when having a tough day and a cardiac nurse just put things into perspective for me!
Itโs about reaching out if feeling anxious and someone will always be here to go โ you are doing ok this is normalโ๐
Hi Airlie37,
My HA was the same cause - LAD was 100% blocked. I was 51 in 2020 when it happened. In my case, I had a blood clot in my ventricle as a consequence of the HA - apparently common for total blockages. I was on Rivaroxaban to help clear the clot and had an MRI to confirm it had gone before I was allowed on to the rehab course. This was eight weeks after the HA episode. Once out of hospital, I walked 30 minutes a day at a slow pace, which I did until I was on the rehab course - 8 weeks later after a scan showed the offending clot had cleared.
Two and a half years on from this event, I am back to running 5 to 10 km a couple of times a week, and monitor my heart rate as 150 bpm limit. My advice is to take it easy in the days aftermath. Take meds on time, every time, never miss a dose, do the rehab course....then crucially maintain it under your husband's own management afterwards. This has worked for me.
The rehab course is there for us to recover from what's happened. In my case, I got my husband doing the rehab with me which was a big motivation, also for others on the course that a gay couple was doing this together.
All the best,
Graham
Thankyou Graham for your reply and for telling me your story,I'm very grateful for your advice.My husband went for another Echocardiogram this morning,though the appointment had actually come through too early as his HA was only 16 days ago he'll probably have another echo in a couple of weeks,he also has his first cardiac rehabilitation appointment tomorrow so we are looking to have some sort of plan in place and a goal to work towards.This week he started going for a 30min slow walk,it has to be slow as the added complication is he needs a knee replacement operation at some point!I'm fully supporting him,diet wise, cardiac rehab wise and exercise wise ๐
Best regards
Alison