hi everyone
I’m first time on here. Had a HA on Good Friday and had stents put in. My anxiety levels are through the roof. I suffer with pains in my back and chest from FMS and now I think every little thing is a HA.
Just wondered if I am the only person to feel this way?
Hi Zed1063
I’m sorry to hear about your recent heart attack. I’m happy to hear you got the correct treatment and are now recovering hopefully.
In terms of the anxiety, I had an NSTEMI just over a year and a half ago and I still get feelings from time to time that I may be having another heart attack as I have vasospastic angina, so my pain is there pretty much most of the time. Sometimes it’s difficult to determine between a heart attack and anxiety because they mimic similar symptoms.
However, it is normal to feel this way but, it is just as important to maintain a balance. Cardiac rehab is usually offered after a heart related experience. Was this offered to you? It can help with feelings of anxiety and how to cope/manage after a heart attack.
I am attending the cardio gym next week for the first time and they said they support in other ways too. I am hoping they will be able to point me in the right direction. I am also hoping speaking with you guys will help as I may not feel so alone
Glad to hear you’re attending your cardio gym next week. They will talk through the different options/services they provide with you hopefully and that will give you some reassurance.
There are many others on here who have had a similar experience to yours. I’m sure they will be along to offer their support and advice. Feel free to send a message on here whenever you’re in need of support.
Your definitely not the only person to feel this way! 😉❤️. I always feel like this and I have never had a heart attack.
Yep anxiety part of the experience. It's a vicious circle. It's a fun fair ride I want to get off
Welcome. There are some great folk here, ready to listen and share. They've helped me when I've felt lost, confused and frustrated. Hope you find them as helpful.
Welcome aboard, nope you aren't alone. I suspect we've all been there with the anxiety and worrying about every twinge. It's normal as life had been turned somewhat on its head. Both my cardiologist and rehab nurses likened it to PTSD. I found rehab a massive help. The nurses and physios were lovely and took time to support all of us there. They only discharged me from that when they felt I was ready to move onto the next phase which I started last week. I was also told about something called iTalk which I used quite a bit at the beginning but now just have a catch-up via a telephone call with a counsellor as and when we think I need one.All the best for your continued recovery.
Hi Zed. Yes its bad isnt it. Real bad. Life turns upside down. At 35 years old for me. family with kids, active lifestyle, the lot. Scary times! Its a trauma. full blown trauma and many of us have been through what you have. I mean, it is easy to stand back and say 'ah, thats life, we all die. Lots have heart attacks'. It sucks but its the harsh truth.
As difficult as i find the physical symptoms from the HA and heart failure, the constant struggle, every ache and pain that arises, the Anxiety! My god the anxiety! The mental side is so much more difficult to maintain and control. Finding answers. Spirituality. Acceptance of death. It comes to us all, many of us sooner. It is what it is champ.....;
My advice, eat well, love family, move much and control that mind.....acceptance worked well for me. (Also the drug Dapa seemed to calm my anxiety) Good luck champ. We are all with you.
You are so right in what you have said. The anxiety my god it is so hard.
thank you for your reply yes it is the total meltdown! I’m 59 and just need to get the anxiety under control some days better than others. Life has changed in a second but I know I need to conquer whatever feelings I have hopefully time will make me stronger and I will have the strength to get through this period in my life.
Welcome to the group. I had an HA 2 years ago and have stents as well as being a similar age. You do end up feeling like your body is giving up on you but the stents and medication and lifestyle changes do help and are important.Different people take different approaches to handle anxiety.
I changed my work life so I don't accept stressful situations any more and don't work to a deadline culture. I also go on holiday monthly but am lucky to be able to do that.
The cardiac rehab is very helpful and will help you gain confidence in your hearts ability to handle exercise.
snap .. I had my “event” Good Friday 2020 - it now seems in the distant past. It takes time to accept what happened and to get used to the meds… after that —- life is GOOD. We are Blessed, we are still here 
Hi Zed, and a very 'hearty' welcome to the forum which is full of lovely people who will offer much needed reassurance and advice. Nope - you're definitely NOT the only person to suffer anxiety like this. You've very recently had such a shock with your HA, followed by a procedure you definitely weren't expecting and you're only human! We've all had days like this. Please keep visiting and sharing and I've no doubt you'll start to feel better once you've got over the initial trauma of it all. Carol
Hi it took several months before I was reacting to every little twitch and twinge in my chest. Hopefully, this phase will pass.
thank you everyone for replying I’m off to see my go today and see if he can suggest something for my anxiety may get something until I get used to the change
I think everybody here feels the same as you after an event. They say it goes away with time but I find even though the anxiety is not as bad you are on a sort of heightened awareness of any sort of symtoms. For me periodical anxiety might describe it better.
Course you’re not and it takes time to get your head around what’s happened to you BUT I’m Year and 3 months on from mine and as the weeks go on you’ll start regaining confidence that you’re not about to drop and remember the work done with stents and resolving some problems you had have put you in a much much better place than before your HA - Try to relax, focus on all the things that get you in a better position still - healthy eating, slowly getting an exercise routine going and keep it going (regular exercise/ walking is Key to getting your heart going and growing stronger again - can’t say this enough), keeping close eye on any other conditions you might have - eg diabetes, good control of blood pressure, cholesterol and statins… best of luck!!
Hi, a lot of us have been through this. The body is fixed, but the mind can take longer. A lot longer sometimes. After nearly three years i am finally getting back to something like my old self. The meds you will be on can be debilitating, and you will have good days and lots of bad days. It takes time, but eventually you will start to say to yourself “well I have felt like this before and it wasn’t another HA and it didn’t kill me!” It is a slow process. Get out and about, i find walking and cycling works for me. Try and enjoy life, easier said than done.
Hi Zed, this anxiety is an awful thing! I just joined last week due to my anxiety. I have never been an anxious person in fact quite the opposite. In February I had a valve repair and a valve replacement it was all quite sudden and whilst I am recovering physically this anxiety has knocked me for six! 5 days post 8 hour open heart surgery sent home "fixed" no follow up until yesterday! I have had a couple of blips dialled 111 and given reassurance, also seen by GP. Yesterday's follow up appointment with surgeon went well, ALL OK, we'll see you again in 12months! Great 👍 surgeon so confident obviously had no doubts he had done a good job. It is so difficult for us to have that confidence and these irrational thought still creep in. Every little twinge, pain, discomfort makes your brain work overtime! Early days for both of us all I can recommend is talk! Talk to anyone who will listen. Lots of support on here from people who have been there. However dial 111 if you really feel it's out of control. I had my daughter with me who made the decision and the call and they are very helpful and reassuring.
All the best to you on this new journey!
Hi
Thank you so much for your reply. Yes my head is going 100 to the dozen keep thinking about negative things and then positive things. Yes all round I prob am in better health now after my ha than before but my anxiety is sky high! I have to get a grip and be rational! It is so scary and I feel so alone
Of course you're not the only one. I defy anyone who's had a heart attack unexpectedly to claim different. IT suddenly hits us that we are not going to live forever and it's absolutely terrifying, not helped in the least by the fact that while in hospital they tell you almost nothing. IT seems like "we've fixed your plumbing now go away". Honestly it does get better. Gradually you will realise how lucky you've been to get a second chance at life . You will/should, eventually get advice on what to change about your lifestyle ie diet, smoking, exercise; the side effects of the tablets will eventually wear off or get changed and your GP will take over and answer any questions. You should be offered a rehab programme- do take it. It's invaluable for your confidence to be able to start to do things under supervision. If you haven't heard anything in about 4 weeks, do chase it up. Like many others on her, I'm still here 5 years down the line. Like you I have Fibro and very severe spinal problems that often cause chest pain and it is hard to know which is which and perfectly normal. Be glad that y our problems have been found now while you can still do something about them; take the pills, take the advice given and you can still live a normal, improved life. It does get easier.
Hi you are not alone. It's, very normal to feel like this. Just take pills, healthy eating and gentle exercise. My husband had a, HA 3, years, ago and a, stent fitted. He had aches and pains from the procedure for awhile. He works on our farm nothing too heavy. Been good as, gold since, you will be too just takes time to get your head right.
Hi there and welcome, I had a HA 4 months ago and am so grateful for this forum. You can ask anything at all, no question or comment too big or small!My HA was such a shock and initially the focus was on being medically stable and starting a bunch of medications I've never had before.
Then I had to get used to side effects, thankfully some have worn off now or my body has just got used to them.
It wasn't till a few weeks down the track that the anxiety kicked in. I think the emotional and mental recovery is under recognised in the general community and even with drs. But here you will find you're not alone in how you feel at all.
I am definitely more aware of sensations in my body these days and although I know another HA is possible, I also know I'm on the right meds to reduce the risk.
Having a blood pressure monitor at home is also good, it's helpful to just be able to check it myself.
Just remember that you can always go to the hospital if you need to. The staff will be happy with a patient they can check and reassure all is ok and if it's not, then you're in the right place.
Hi zed, it’s perfectly normal to be anxious after what you’ve gone through. Your whole mental and physical system will be on extra high alert to every ache or pain. I’m sure things will settle down and slowly start getting easier in time mate. Try take it easy and not to over worry ( easier said than done I know)!!! You’ll get there buddy.👍
All the best.
Ron
Hello Zed,
Your not alone, if the truth is known, all of us that have had a Heart Attack and Bypass are terrified, especially if we get some of those pains or feelings when we originally had the HA.
I adjusted my way of thinking, my life was saved and if I open my eyes in the morning then that is a blessing as I am here another day to enjoy my loved ones.
Try and chill and use this forum with all of the fantastic Hearties, their experiences along with queries on medication as it is us that know, as we are the ones taking the meds and having similar feelings and pains.
Breath & Smile xx
Hi, Zed1063,
No, you are not the only one. I have anxiety disorder (before my heart attack in March 2022), and I still stress about pains and high heart rate and missed beats, etc —even a year later. It is awful and I am trying to incorporate some mindfulness/relaxation techniques into my life. That is slow going too, but I am trying to improve in this area. I also take Xanax as needed, which does help quicker in a panic attack. I know that some people are bothered by that drug, but I always take the lowest dosage possible, and I am responsible with it.
I have read posts by some on here that suffering a HA and the aftermath is like having PTSD. There is likely truth in this statement. Heart diseases turn our lives upside down. The process of having a HA is usually unexpected and traumatic. Afterward, we often feel all alone with many questions and no answers. Plus, we feel vulnerable—we realize just how tenuous our grip on life can be.
So, I don’t mean to sound negative—I think that I am feeling better—but the fear is still there. You might want to discuss your feelings with your GP or with a counselor. See what they suggest to help you. I saw my GP yesterday and we were discussing this very issue. She was suggesting that I incorporate more mindfulness and/or relaxation strategies into my everyday practices. She mentioned box breathing, progressive muscle relaxation and other methods. She also suggested some YouTube videos for relaxation. Even my Apple Watch has an app for mindfulness and breathing exercises.
Remember, there are no quick fixes for anxiety. However, my GP says that practicing relaxation techniques can build muscle memory in our brains that will help us in a situation such as a panic attack.
Best wishes to you in your recovery!
Hi and welcome to the forum.
I only had a couple of stents fitted (before I had a heart attack) I was also nervous about any little pain. It has taken a long time to get everything into perspective. Because it was supervised the cardiac rehabilitation team were great at getting me back into exercising although it took time.
They were also a good point of contact if I had any concerns.
A year on the anxiety is much less, and I only feel anxious if I go running on my own rather than in a group.
Let us know how you feel after the cardiac rehabilitation session.
P.S. I'm not sure what FMS is?
hi fibromyalgia it affects my muscles
So sorry to hear about your recent HA and no your not alone or the only person who feels like this. Its a horrible feeling and the worry sometimes just runs away with you, your head goes into full throttle meltdown on so many scenarios from the lightest wee pain around your chest back shoulder jaw stomach 🙈 . All i can advise is breathe I have a breathing exercise app on my Samsung phone which I use to calm down a bit. I have 2 daughters 12 and 15 and worry so much about them finding me dead in my sleep after my HA its horrible. This forum has helped me so much and I've found out I'm not alone sometimes friends and family just don't understand as much or you don't want to worry them with your own anxiety and worries. Brilliant your starting cardio gym exercise is a great help with mental health and anxiety as well.
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