Flolow

[Flolow]

I had suffered with chest pain for many years yet despite many tests and A&E visits was told there was nothing wrong with me. I have worked for over 30 years in education and was due to start a new job for the housing department on 07.03.23. Unfortunately I had a heart attack on the 05.03.23 which resulted in me having a cardiac arrest and my heart stopping for 11 minutes. Fortunately my daughter had called the ambulance team who arrived just as I went into cardiac arrest and they performed CPR and defib me 4x and saved my life. I woke up 3 days later in Bart’s hospital and was so thankful and lucky to be alive. However this has now left me with heart failure and a very weak heart. I’m on 6 tablets. I was on 9 yet due to me never taking drugs before my body was not used to them and a few of them made me extremely ill and I was rushed back into Bart’s a few weeks after being discharged from hospital and was diagnosed with ketoacidosis even though I’m not diabetic. I’m 51 and extremely worried about my future. I have a beautiful family and grandchildren yet feel very down about the whole situation and very unsure what the future holds. My heart failure doctor said it may help for me to speak to others in my situation and of similar age for guidance and support. So here I am and if there is anyone who can give me any positive hope and support I would be so happy to hear from you. I wish you all well and really hope that the BHF can find a cure for heart failure and all other heart related diseases and conditions.

[Hidden]

Dear Flolow,

A warm welcome to the forum I hope that it will support you and help you get the answers you need.

I am older than you and a different sex, but that aside I also have a heart that decided to do its own thing causing me the problem I now have and have been though the exact reactions that you have and more.

As you read the past forums posts you will realise that you are not alone as much as heart problems tend to make the suffers feel.

It has been likened to bereavement and you will follow the very same steps to help you deal with it.

It is not a death sentence and now the medical profession knows that there is something wrong with your heart { which I am presuming that before your incident they didn't } they can keep an eye on you like they do the rest of us.

Please remember that we are here to help in anyway that we can.

This site is full of information, but sometimes its just best to ask, as we are all individuals and go on this journey without knowledge to start with but plenty of fear.

You are surrounded by a loving family and friends, express your fears to them they are waiting [ like us ] to listen.

Take care and welcome once again.

[Flolow in reply to Hidden]

Hello Blue1958 and thank you so very much for your kind words, it’s reassuring to know I have a new network of friends (who understand) to help me on this horrendous journey which I hope will have a great outcome for us all. Take care and I will be here to support you all where I can too. Kind regards Flolow

[Heyjude31]

Hello Flolow, I am sorry that you find yourself on here, but glad that you are able to join us hearties for support and encouragement. It is a huge shock and will take time to both understand and heal. I am nearly 2 years post bypass and I know the impact these things can have both physically and mentally as so many others on this forum know. My only advice is to be kind to yourself, try and take one day at a time, be sure to take your meds, talk to the bhf nurses or us or naturally family and friends for support. It takes time, for me one of the biggest hurdles was understanding that life may not be the same as before and it’s a different life but one I embrace and am incredibly grateful for, that and the support I have. I take regular exercise and am able to go on holiday and spend time gardening which I love. Take care, you know where we are, Judi

[Flolow in reply to Heyjude31]

Hi Heyjude31 and thank you for your reply. I’m only into my 7th week today and have been reading the chats on this forum which has given me positive hope. It is all so very scary and I’m a very private person who doesn’t like talking about themself as I’m always busy looking after my family and others well-being. Yet now is the time to put myself first for a change and live my life to the full. I am taking my meds, I don't drink or smoke and am relatively fit by walking and going swimming and have a good diet. My EF is currently 25% and I’m hoping with my lifestyle will improve. I had my appointment with my consultant at Bart’s on Friday which was very positive and hopefully each appointment will be one of improvement. Thanks again for your kind words and support. Kind regards Flolow

[Heyjude31 in reply to Flolow]

That’s the best news xx

[Yumz199725]

Aw hi Flolow

A very warm welcome to the forum! That is alot to go through cant imagine what you have been through and then the tablets to make you even sicker thats awful! This is a great place for comfort and support. Before I joined this forum I felt so alone but now I can talk to so many people who I can relate to and hopefully provide comfort and experience 😅😁. Take care ❤️

[Flolow in reply to Yumz199725]

Thank you kindly Yumz199725 it’s good to be able to have people to discuss my concerns who understand what I’m going through. Take care and I will be in touch soon. Kind regards Flolow