Is there any help after having a heart attack

[SukiRed]

I'm asking this question on behalf of my dad, as he doesn't have an email address and doesn't know how to use a computer.My dad has had a second heart attack and is now on the waiting list for a triple bypass. He's been told by his doctors that he can't work till then, and ofc can't work for up to 6 months after the surgery. The sick pay is next to nothing. And my mum is now making herself ill with not only worry, but from being over worked, by trying to compensate my dad for not working.

UC have told us he's not going to be entitled to anything, as they will be judging the outcome from what my mum earns and not as an individual person.

We have no idea what to do now and things are getting very stressful and money is really tight with this cost of living constantly going up and up.

Is there any help or advice out there that could help my dad, or them both?

[Chappychap]

It's true that some people take a bit longer than others to recover after open heart surgery. But the six months that you mention in your post would only apply to a small minority.

The NHS say many people are capable of driving or carrying a child after six weeks, many people could return to an office based job after six weeks and most people make a full recovery after 8-12 weeks.

Now "full recovery" is perhaps a bit optimistic, there will still be a few aches and pains, but providing there haven't been complications then most of us are capable of quite heavy work by then. Indeed by 8-12 weeks after the operation most of us are actually starting to feel fitter and stronger than we did before the operation, because we're free from the symptoms of angina, plus we've often lost a few pounds, quit smoking, eased up on the alcohol, started exercising, etc.

Here are the NHS guidelines on bypass surgery recovery,

nhs.uk/conditions/coronary-...

[10gingercats]

I would suggest asking advice from The Citizens ABureau. Make an appoint. to see someone, not telephone or e mail.Also. Is there a possibility of a bank loan?

[SukiRed in reply to 10gingercats]

We not long got off the phone to Citizens Advice and even they said there's nothing they can do. And our local one isn't taking any face to face appointments. Just calls only.

[Charl70]

you dad will be entitled to ESA employment support allowance, apply on line for him no means test just needs a fit note from gp which they send via text then you send to dwp via text , apply online and he receive from that date its about £156 every 2 weeks which could help

[looseylaw in reply to Charl70]

you can Claim for ESA as long as you are not claiming Statutory Sick Pay (SSA) which is approximately £99 a week. I am currently on SSA and you can claim this for 28 weeks, after that i think ESA is the option.

[NyMets]

also add on the the CAB advise to talk to British Heart Foundation as I’m sure they have had this asked before. Myself, I was back in the office job after 10 weeks but everyone is different. For driving I was told to wait until doctor said it was okay, 8 weeks plus to allow sternum to heal. It is a good idea to talk to doctor at about 8 weeks as mine said — why did you wait until now (12 weeks) … you were okay at 8.

Good luck

[MWIC]

really feel for you and the family - it’s a real shock to think that when something like this occurs there appears to be so little help when it’s needed - I know the difference in finances experienced between work and no work due to illness is very dramatic and how a family is expected to be able to just adjust instantly to this is beyond me - sincerely hope you get the help needed at this time and hope it is there in some shape or form - keep us updated as I’m sure there’s lot of interested people - me for one

[shopman]

What ages are they?

[SukiRed]

Dad, who's had the heart attack is 58Mum is 56