how do you deal with the fear?

[BertieDG]

I have gone through GP tests, which showed I have probably had hidden heart attacks, got the news on Friday and am now very frightened. Don’t know how to judge if my symptoms are getting more serious and if I need to go to hospital or not. How have people coped with this wait for more help?

[10gingercats]

I just love those last couple of sentences!WonThank you.

[Chappychap]

There is no test that can definitively say that Bertie DG is, or is not, about to have a heart attack. It's worth reflecting on that, because some people seem to drive themselves crazy chasing more and more tests in the hope of a certainty that medical science simply cannot provide.

On the other hand your GP can easily run a generalised risk calculation at his or her desk that says someone with Bertie DG's risk factors, has an X% chance of a heart attack or stroke over the next ten years. And if you're sufficiently committed you can dig down and discover how you can tweak those risk factors and quantify the difference that makes to your prospects.

That's it, that's the closest we'll ever come to a crystal ball.

You ask how people cope?

Personally I focus on the only two things that can reduce my risk of a heart attack or stroke. Namely medication and life style changes. I'm meticulous about taking my meds, and rigorous about exercise, weight loss, zero nicotine, low salt intake, stress management, healthy eating, and all the other life style risk factors that accelerate or retard our heart disease.

There are no guarantees in life, but I find it very reassuring to know I'm doing everything that possibly can be done to tilt the playing field in my favour. Because with the risk factors sorted I get out there and live life to the absolute fullest!

Good luck!

[Homely2]

I think of life as being divided into stages. I am now in the stage of doctors and health conditions.

I intend to get as much out of this stage as I did the other stages.

So focus on getting the best things for your health condition, do not let the doctors get you down, they are often wrong and alarmist and infuriating You have to be proactive in dealing with them and try to understand your condition. But enjoy life.

I spent 10 months visiting my brother in a London hospital, 2 hours on train to get there. I had the Saturday slot with him. He had an extreme heart condition. 15 years later he is still here and enjoying life, he got married etc.

So do not worry, it is just an irritation of life, one minute a doctor will say you are rather ill, the next one will say it is relatively minor. You will battle through the system, they will fix your heart, and you will join all the other patients with a pacemaker, a defibrillator, a stent etc., and there are loads out there. It is normal....., not something to be afraid of.

[Hidden]

Hello

I can only imagine how shocked you must be feeling and frightened to

When I had my first heart attack and was in Hospital I was told at some stage I had a mild one before they just could not tell me when that had happened but I was shocked to hear what I thought was my first heart attack was my second one

Your Doctor will no doubt have taken your Blood Pressure and if needs be because it was high given you medication

I hope they have done blood tests to see what your Cholesterol is looking like as a statin could help if that is not in the right range

I wonder while you are waiting if they have put you even if on a low dose of Aspirin ?

If they have not done all these things personally I would be asking why while I was waiting for an appointment

If any of you symptoms get worse then taking yourself to A&E to be checked out would always be the right thing to do

The waiting to be honest is the worst when it comes to all this it is not easy but trying to stay as positive as you can by thinking if they thought you were in danger your Doctor would have sent you straight up to the Hospital and not home to wait for an appointment

Take a day at a time and I really hope your appointment is not to long , try not to over think and don't start looking on Google you will end up feeling worse

Please let us know how you get on x

[BertieDG in reply to Hidden]

Thankyou for your very kind words. Have managed to admit how frightened I am with my partner and had a good cry which made me feel better. I have to wait 2 weeks for my appointment with cardiology, at least I know. The dark nights are not a friend but am managing to do some relaxation exercises which help me get to sleep so am trundling along.

[Hidden in reply to BertieDG]

Hello

I am pleased that you have been able to share with your partner how afraid you feel the support I get from my Husband by sharing how I feel is such a huge important way of helping me get through all this and a good cry sometimes does us the world of good bottling it all up helps nobody when faced with these situations

I am glad you know it will be 2 weeks and then you will see someone and it will go quick before you know it you will be at your appointment and I hope you let us know how you get on

These dark nights I don't think are best friends to most of us I struggle to but think it will soon be Spring , you will know what treatment if any you need and things will look and be so much better than they are now x

[Kristin1812 Heart Star]

You ask ‘how to judge if my symptoms are getting more serious and if I need to go to hospital or not’.

It is a very worrying and uncertain time for you, especially having had silent heart attacks (i’ve had three) , and you are not yet recognising the patterns that led to these.

My signs include nausea, breathless, tight chest, left arm, neck, back, face painful, heavy or tight,….,pins and needles in hands, etc

By gradually analysing your own pattern of signs you will learn when to take avoiding action or seek help.

In my own case i have learned what signs tell me to sit, relax, breathe deeply or reach for my spray. But im never afraid to call 111.or 999 if I am reaching for a third spray.

[Driver11]

Hi had CA 4 yrs ago and various other problems, fear is a dreadful problem and one that affects everyone. You need very good close friends and family that don't judge you. It is almost impossible to do it yourself without help. It is easy to say but you do need to look at the positives and concentrate and all the good stuff

Good luck

[BertieDG]

Thankyou to everyone for your comments. Had an admission to cardiology, I have damage to left ventricle, cause still unknown but an MRI to come, have heart failure and have been started on a cocktail of medication. I have not yet settled on to it, but already things don’t seem as chaotic so that is great. Home again and taking it easy, hoping to start an upward trend from here on in!