Support after cardiac arrest

[Autumn45]

hi, my dad recently suffered a cardiac arrest. Prior to this, he was suffering with heart palpitations when each time he would go to A&E. they’d do all the checks and say everything is fine. I think these ‘heart flutters’ are down to anxiety. He had the cardiac arrest which was pretty traumatic, had 3 stents put in. Felt faint 4 days later and went back to A&E where they kept him in for a week under constant monitor. Everything seemed fine but he is still saying he is getting these heart flutters. He just wants answers. Any help or suggestions would be appreciated

[Lcfc85]

hi sorry to hear about your dad, so do you think these palpitations are since the cardiac arrest?

I honestly think if you are worried about anything like this then to ring 111 and get advice from the experts.

[Autumn45 in reply to Lcfc85]

hi, thanks for the reply. No, he had them before, the heart attack. I do believe they are unrelated to the heart attack, and more anxiety because they are happening more often now which would make sense because of what happened. Even the doctors have said that it’s unrelated. Each time it happens we call 111, or go to A&E and each time they can’t see anything wrong. He has a loop monitor fitted too.

[Lcfc85 in reply to Autumn45]

so you can take some reassurance from that. It is really hard when you have these symptoms because you convince yourself something is wrong but at some point we have to trust what we have been told by the doctors

[Autumn45 in reply to Lcfc85]

I agree. I just wish my dad would trust it, and live his best life now he’s been given a 2nd chance. He’s still young (ish) 63. I think this is more of a mental issue. I’m going to call the helpline and see if there is any mental support available.

[Lcfc85 in reply to Autumn45]

I know exactly how he feels because I’m in the same boat. I’m only 37 but have chest pains and undergone scans etc and been told all ok but it’s hard to take as I still have the chest pains!

[Hidden]

It is frustrating at best to be unclear about personal health issues especially when it concerns a vital organ like your heart. However if your Dad has been monitored for a week and everything is believed medically OK that must be re-assuring, although clearly not the complete answer for you and your Dad. But if your Dad's heart attack was recent you should be on a waiting list for a cardio rehab course so you should be able to talk to specialists who run the course about your concerns. But if you haven't heard chase it up. And again you should be awaiting a follow up from the cardiologist where you can discuss the situation, although that may follow the rehab. And short term there is always the BHF Heart Helpline available. Finally if your Dad's heart health suddenly seriously deteriorates then A&E is the first place to go, irrespective of whether you have been there before.

[Autumn45 in reply to Hidden]

thank you, that’s really helpful. Yes it’s reassuring to me that everything is fine, but my dad just doesn’t believe it. He’s been back to A&E twice since it happened, feeling these flutters but the docs just do there tests and say everything is fine. He does have the rehabilitation thing, he went to the first session last week with the 6 week course starting in April. I’ll give the helpline a call which might help with the process etc, it’s all a bit over whelming. He is also struggling to be alone which is causing the family strain so maybe the helpline can help with how to manage that etc

[Lezzers]

Sorry to hear about your dad, it must be very worrying for you. First, why did they keep your dad in for a week after he felt faint, what was on his discharge papers? Hospitals wouldn't normally keep someone in that long unnecessarily. I assume the cardiac arrest was due to a heart attack?; Is there any follow up/care plan arranged with a cardiologist or heart nurse? Referral to cardic re-hab etc. Palpitations in someone who has had a previous cardiac arrest is something you should seek help/advice for so I would always suggest contacting 111 when he's having the palpitations.

[Autumn45 in reply to Lezzers]

thank you. They kept him in that long I think due to the severity of the heart attack. They changed his medication slightly and put in a loop monitor. The end result was that physically everything is fine. He went to his first re-hab session last week, and starts the 6 week course in April. I think it’s hard because he is experiencing these heart flutters but no doctor can diagnose the reason for it. We have been to A&E twice since it happened (nearly four weeks ago) and each time they say there’s nothing wrong.

[Lezzers in reply to Autumn45]

I totally understand what you're saying. My husband had a massive heart attack & cardiac arrest, due to the many hospital admissions that followed it took him about a year to get through re-hab as he kept having to re-start it! Does he still have the loop monitor fitted? What advice was he given re the heart palpitations?

[Ceck]

Hi...totally understand your concern as my husband had an HA then CA followed by 3x bypass. For your support I recommend Facebook Cardiac Arrest groups. There are 3. Excellent support from thos who walk this oath. Survivors and family alike. Oh...and listen to everyone here. Speak with doctors. Is he on atrial fib medicine? Ask why not if no. My husband was for a year. All the best.

[Beatle45]

Doesn’t your dad’s loop recorder show the flutters? I’m having a loop fitted next week and thought it would reassure me, but if it’s not going to pick up these episodes then why are they fitting it? I’m worried sick as it is without hearing this.