Hello folks,
Was just wondering if anyone has similar thoughts to myself, I don’t have these all the time, just occasionally:-
- flashbacks to the night it happened
- a recurring dread that it’s just a matter of time before I have another one
- general confidence a bit all over the place at times
Many thanks.
Yes, yes and yes! I am sorry to hear about your heart attack. I had one too, almost a year ago and I think the psychological impact has been just as hard as the physical. All that you are feeling is normal. I would say that counselling helped me enormously but I still feel fearful of the future on a regular basis. The nightmares are reducing but they do still happen occasionally and with the anniversary of my heart attack coming up shortly, it is all very present in my mind.
Hi Robbo,
Absolutely! I had a heart attack exactly 4 weeks ago. Stent procedure 4 days later. I've had my initial cardiac rehabilitation session, and my first exercise class is on Friday.
Despite the numerous reassurances from the health professionals (my wife and parents are also health professionals!), I still have flashbacks in the night albeit infrequently.
However, be very reassured that as everyone says, the heart I'd indeed the strongest and most resilient organ in the human body.
I know it's all medical, but as you're learning (as am I), the mental and psychological impact of a heart attack is overwhelming...
Stay strong Robbo 👍
Hello 
Yes I do
Even though now I have had a triple Bypass and for me it is every day all day I am just waiting for something to go wrong and that dreaded feeling is there most of the time even though I will say I had severe anxiety before all this happened to me
My first heart attack happened when I was on my front garden and ever since I struggle now when I go out there and the flash backs come back so strong I hardly stay out there and have to come in
I have never had much confidence and spend most days having a cry at some stage as since it feels it has taken the last little bit I had
But as you were not like this before you heart events you have every chance of dealing with this and talk with your Doctor some go on meds a short while some have Counselling some have both but what you are feeling is normal for quite a few of us
I hope you get the support and help you need and things soon start to improve x
Hi Robbo
Yes to all, I can't add anything more than what's been said already but I just wanted you to know you're not alone
V x
Yes I do recognise these. I found it pretty overwhelming, after my heart attacks. It has been seen as a Post Traumatic Stress reaction, with the flashbacks and acute anxiety you describe. It can be beaten, but can be a bit of a journey.
I found therapy really helpful, and also the slow steady step by steps I had to take to get back to a more normal life.
You’ll get there!
Yes to all as well, PTSD rearing its ugly head without a doubt .
Looking at your Logo are you exforces ? because Combat Stress has been very helpful to me on 07537404719 or Steps to Wellbeing on 02380272000 { my local one but they will put you onto yours }
If you think you can make it trough these feelings alone, I beg you to seek help because these people deal with it every day.
I'm a dinosaur of a macho ex military male that struggled for ages until I sort help and I can tell you now I would never waste so much time waiting ever again.
YOU ARE NOT ALONE....... get the help that is well tested and available to you, get your life back on track without that horrible cloud hanging over your head.
Will they cure you? no but your will understand your feelings and be able to action on them.
Take care and keep us informed
thanks for replying and for your advice, much appreciated. I’m not ex forces, the logo is the football team I support! Best wishes to you.
Ok well PTSD can affect anyone so steps to well being would be a great help and its self referral , just fill out the form on line.
as ever
Hi RobboI haven't had a heart attack, I'm here due to afib and other heart arrhythmia issues I'm trying to cope with and understand.
Physically I think I'm lucky. I don't really have any physical pain; it's mainly about tiredness, breathlessness and weakness, but I find it very difficult trying to explain to people how I feel psychologically; that I can't do the things I used to do and the "why me?" feelings. I saw my brother go down the same path which also contributes to it all.
However, there are people here who understand which is why I'm a regular visitor. It helps on the good days and the not so good. Hope you find the support you need. Keep in touch.
I understand so well what your issues are as I suffer a lot of strong and long lasting episodes of AF and although i keep on telling myself that it is not going to kill me, it has changed so much my life as I cannot plan anything due to the random nature of them. I, like yourself, take comfort in reading different stories on here, be part of the BHF community and knowing I’m not alone.
I’m a strong person, I don’t have meltdowns, panic attacks or depression but sometimes it is hard! Also what I think is so dramatic is that most healthy people don’t really understand how you feel and you don’t get the same empathy and understanding that other health issues get. You feel like you’re making up excuses for not attending planned events for example. I can say that suffering of recurrent AF has definitely helped me to select friends as I just maintain friendship with the people who made the effort to understand the nature of my disease and don’t make me feel guilty if I need to change plans last minute.
Wish you all the best
thank you and likewise, wishing you the very best. Take care.
thank you so much.
you are not alone xx I am waiting on responses to your questions as it’s exactly how I am - I wish you all the best
Absolutely, to everything you’re feeling. My HA was years ago now, 2016 but still living in fear and anxiety everyday.
Yup, been there and got that t-shirt. Rehab nurses told me it's very common and akin to PTSD. Cardiologist also said similar. It's coming up to 5 months since mine and whilst it's been hard at times with the fear of what has and what might happen as well as the knock to confidence when I look back to where I was after leaving hospital to where I am now I realise I'm heaps better. I had a 24hr halter test last week and I wasn't phased by it at all nor am I fretting about the outcome. One of the rehab sessions focussed on emotional well-being and to deal with what is and not what if. Sound advice. I still have the odd wobble but they are far less frequent these days. Rehab was very important and now that has finished I start Phase4 next week. I was also told about iTalk at rehab abd registerd for that as it helps with the emotional side. All the best for your recovery.
yes, Robbo. Perfectly natural! This forum helps a lot.
Hi ROBBO36
I had my NSTEMI just over a 1.5 years ago and still experience some of these psychological impacts that you mention.
Were you ever offered cardiac rehab? That can help with coping mechanisms after a heart attack, as well as other useful things such as a better diet and exercising safely.
Thank you to all for taking the time to reply and telling your own individual stories. Very much appreciated and lots to think about.
The mind is just as complex as the heart!
I wish you all the very best on your individual journeys.
My HA was 12 years ago and it's still the first thing on my mind when I wake up.
health shocks, such as art attacks can cause PTSD - I see others have mentioned this above - EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) is a comprehensive psychotherapy that helps you process and recover from past experiences that are affecting your mental health and wellbeing. It involves using side to side eye movements combined with talk therapy in a specific and structured format - I know of people in another heart-related group who have found it very helpful
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