Worry at night

[mpa100]

I had a heart attack last April and had three stents fitted. I'm due a check up this April. Over the last couple of weeks I have woken up at night feeling uncertain that I was ok. I'm sure it is only in my mind and checked blood pressure and heart rate and everything seems to show ok so after about an hour I go back to sleep and ok in the morning. My symptoms when the attack took place were not tightening of the chest or pain in the arms so I would not be certain if I was having another attack. All I felt was that I was unable to get comfortable but also felt I needed to keep moving but was limited due to feeling unwell. Has anyone else had such worries and how did they deal with them and how could I tell if I was having another attack as I do not wish to put pressure on the NHS if nothing wrong?

[BridBoy]

I think we wouldn't be normal if we didn't have feelings like that.....I know that in the early days the demons in my brain were continually saying "what if it happens again", every slight ache and pain in my body suddenly took on a whole new meaning!!I then thought about the brilliant service and MOT I'd been given by the team at the hospital and the negative thoughts soon disappeared.

I always thought a heart attack was like having an elephant sat on your chest.....as with you that didn't happen to me.....I just felt really unwell and I knew that there was something seriously wrong with me.

I've had paramedics out twice in 19 months since my HA.....both times they've been brilliant, although when I was blue lighted straight into the cat lab they put the fear of God up me.....when I got there they said there was nothing wrong with me other than Omeprazole not agreeing with me!!

I think we "hearties" are guilty of thinking everything relates to our heart, see my recent post In Praise of the NHS.

Best wishes

[devonian186 in reply to BridBoy]

I suspect people here are on average much more anxious than the general population which in turn causes all sorts of additional anxieties and a belief that every twinge is of significance.

[mpa100 in reply to BridBoy]

Many Thanks for your reply it has put my mind more at rest. My brain was telling me that it was just in my mind but I had to try and reassure myself and of course I worried my wife who after the attack would not let me out of her sight for some time and would not let me do most of the normal things I was doing before. Yes I cannot fault the treatment I have received from the NHS and they are so good in everything they do.

[BridBoy in reply to mpa100]

Did you have rehab after your HA.....mine really boosted my confidence in my body and made me realise that I could live a normal life.