Terrified

[Anxious02]

Hi

I had my first heart attack 26/1/23, went to hospital, I had a second heart attack in hospital on 28/1/23 and had 1 sent put in on 1/2/23 left hospital 2/2/23, I am scared as I have pains in my back going to front, but I have a hiatus herna just under my breasts, I feel as though I am having a palpitation but it doesn't come to anything, every little pain now is giving me a panic attack, I just don't know what to do, I can't get an appointment with the doctor I want as she is always fully booked, I am seeing cardio nurse on 29/3 I feel so alone, I don't want to phone for an ambulance because it could be nothing, I'am thinking as I only had stent put in and it it clear now, surely I wouldn't be having another heart attack, I am still trying to come to terms with this, any advice

[Hidden]

Hello

You are not on your own many of us have had these fears and still do and after such a life changing event for some of us it really affects us

I had a couple of years ago a heart attack in the Oct no stent just meds then another one in the Feb no stent just meds and back again 4 weeks later in the March no stents just meds

I was in a right state wondering what was going of every pain and feeling instant panic eventually they did an angiogram and I needed a triple Bypass and even though I have had that done I feel I have been left with PTSD as still every pain , twinge feeling I go into instant panic which is several times a day !

But never feel if you are unsure about what you are feeling that you should not phone 999 as that is what they are there for

I had a few false alarms and every time they always told me they would rather come and check me over or me attend Hospital and it be nothing than me stay away and something be wrong

Have you got the Rehab Nurses telephone number you could always give them a ring or the BHF Nurses on here which I will put you their number

Try and contact your Doctors again and tell them you are at breaking point and are just not coping even if you have to speak to a different Doctor which I am like you I like the same one but when needs be we sometimes have to speak with a different one and as long as they give us the right advise and care then it is worth it

You again are not alone and when you need to talk just come on and someone will always be around to listen

Many have had a stent and gone on to have no more issues and leading life to the full and more there is no reason in time you will be one of those to you have lost your confidence but will slowly get it back with the right help and support x

Heart Helpline team on 0300 330 3311 Mon-Fri 9-5pm

[Crochetwoman]

Hi, I found my rehab nurse very patient and helpful. Phone them up and they reply within the same day. They are there to help. Hopefully you have a good one.

We’re all sensitive to any pains or twitches just after a heart attack . My nurse put it down to pericarditis which lasted a week.

Remember no one knows your worries and you have to take charge and wave your hand about ( or phone 😆). 101 is available - as you probably know- and again you are a “hearty” now so don’t feel embarrassed to phone them or even 999. Hope it all settles down.

[boredom in reply to Crochetwoman]

Same here cardiac nurse saw me 3 times then went on holiday or sick no one else took over this was 12 months ago just given 48 hour holter monitor test at home heard nothing as yet I am going to call them if I don,t hear soon. Did put me on a rehab course but wrong e mail address and wrong time phoned and they said they would call me back still waiting.

[Kristin1812 Heart Star]

I was told our hearts ‘don’t like being messed about’ , so it will take a few days to settle down, after a stent. Hopefully your twinges will reduce then too.

But it’s natural to be hyper-aware of every twinge. And it’s also a safety mechanism too to alert you to anything serious. But it takes time to distinguish what is serious, and what isn’t.

It’s a tough time. I remember it well. You will get though it.