Adjusting to a new normality - British Heart Fou...

British Heart Foundation

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Adjusting to a new normality

Musicw profile image
6 Replies

Just a general post asking about how you all adjusted to a new normality and how long it roughly took some of you with adjusting to a new normality?

I'm currently struggling and trying to adjust to some sort of normality after being diagnosed with Chronic Heart Disease at 27.

I also haven't been working since January and I'm quite anxious about returning to work since this diagnosis.

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Musicw profile image
Musicw
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6 Replies

I've found explaining to others to be the most difficult part (oh, you don't look sick/but you're still young)

I didn't handle it well the first few months at all, combination of stress and anxiety and trying to sort myself out. Mentally, I'm coping now (most of the time) but really needing to get my finger out and lose some weight... that's the next challenge!

Short answer... it takes time, but if you can surround yourself with supportive people, you will get there!

Musicw profile image
Musicw in reply to Captain_Birdseye

Thank you this is very helpful information. I also need to lose some weight too.

Captain_Birdseye profile image
Captain_Birdseye in reply to Musicw

It's easier said than done... I chose to prioritise my mental health once my symptoms were under control...

If you can't do it all at once, do one thing at a time.

What I should have said as well is that this forum is full of wonderfully supportive people so if you have questions or need a vent, don't hold back.

Musicw profile image
Musicw

I'm still having a load of tests and investigations being completed. I collapsed unexpectedly 19th January a week after having COVID third time. I went to my local A&E via Ambulance where a doctor noticed something wasn't quite right with my heart on the ECG. Remained in hospital 4 days where the Cardiologist found out I had a leaky heart valve.

Yumz199725 profile image
Yumz199725

Hi Musicw

It sounds like a lot to deal with and especially at 27. I was born with my condition so didn't have time to understand or even process it and I'm 25 now. What condition have you been diagnosed with, hope you don't mind me asking 😉. Mine is in my bio it's alot to write in a comment 😅📝😂. I really hope you get some comfort and support from this message and some amazing advice from this forum I'm sure plenty of others will be along to send words of wisdom. Wish you all the best and take care ❤️

Musicw profile image
Musicw in reply to Yumz199725

Yes I have definitely been going through a lot over the last 13 weeks where I'm still having loads of tests and investigations completed. I have heart Valve disease. We think I have had this for quite a long time but wasn't aware of anything till I had an unexplained collapse 19th January. Taken to local A&E via ambulance where a doctor saw on my ECG that there was something not quite right then was admitted to hospital 4 days where a Cardiologist found out that I had a leaky heart valve through doing an ultrasound.

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