Fit husband had out of the blue heart attack and has anxiety that it's going to happen again

[Kathyboard1]

My 69 year old fit and healthy husband had a heart attack 5 days ago, he has 3 stents and is home. It was very unexpected, he is very fit and we have 2 young children. It has affected him mentally as he keeps thinking he is going to have another one. He has beeb told to take it easy, but how easy? We have not been given any info on what he should be doing, just loads of pills to take. I guess it's normal to feel this much anxiety is it?

[Hidden]

Hello

Yes it is very normal to feel this much anxiety and when this happens out the blue especially makes it even harder to try and come to terms with

I would hope he was given the Rehab Nurses contact numbers from the Hospital he was in and they are there if you need support and also hopefully at some stage he will be invited to the Rehab classes which I would suggest he goes to as that will help gain his confidence and that is what has happened his confidence at the moment is shattered and it takes time

He does have to take it easy but getting moving about is also important but slowly to start with pottering around the house doing light weight things a little gentle walk but listening to your body and when it says rest then rest

I would try and contact the Rehab Nurses and if they did not give him their contact details phone the ward and ask them

I have put you a link on to BHF where there is some information and also I will put you the telephone number where you can phone the BHF Nurses to if you have any questions or concerns

These are very early days but in time it will get better x

bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...

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

[EU95PTM]

I’m sorry to hear about what happened to your husband. It is absolutely normal to feel anxious following a heart attack, also to think “why me?” etc. Hopefully as BeKind has already mentioned , your husband should be offered Cardiac Rehab which is an exercise and education programme for patients following heart attacks or heart surgery. It is really important to attend as it will help your husband regain his confidence and understand more about the medications and diet etc. I’m now a year on from a heart attack and it has been a difficult journey, both physically and emotionally. When I look back I can see how far I have come.

[Hidden]

Dear You,

There is no normal level to your anxiety, but the level is normal for you with the sheer shock that your husbands diagnosis has had on him and the rest of the family.

And I mean you and the children, your husband has been looked after and has had procedures that will make his heart a lot better than it was only a few days prior to his operation.

But it will effect you just as bad { something that is to often looked over } and you must make sure that you get the help and support that you need as a person not just as a wife and mother.

Your children will pick up on both of your feelings , it is not for me to tell you how to tell them about what's happening but regardless of age it will only add to your anxiety trying to hide it from them.

I hope that the forum can help support you and your family through this.

As for your husbands return to fitness, that will all happen slowly with time, things have to settle, things have to heal.

Take care and please keep us informed.

[Tos92]

Hi Kathyboard1

I’m sorry to hear about your husband’s recent heart attack.

I’m glad to hear he is at home recovering now. As some of the other members have said, it is still very early days and the anxiety is absolutely normal. I hope he is offered cardiac rehab and this will help him cope better.

I imagine it’s been a lot for you and your children as well. Please feel free to post on here as there is a lot of support available and there are others who can share their experiences which can help you in feeling less lonely in this journey with your husband.

All the best.

Tos x

[Robbie1964]

Hopefully your husband gets referred to cardiac rehab. However it can take a few weeks for the referral to be made and for a place to become available at a class.

The British Heart Foundtation have a Cardiac Rehabilitation booklet which gives lots of advice on what to do in the first few weeks after leaving hospital following a heart attack / stents being inserted. The booklet can be downloaded from bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...

The main thing for him to do is to take it easy, especially in the first couple of weeks and preferably in the first month. This gives the heart time to heal. So no heavy lifting or anything that can put a strain on the heart. Also, going for (short) walks in the early days can be beneficial too. I went for 10 minute walks twice a day in the first couple of weeks after having a heart attack / stent and built up from there. The important thing is that your husband shouldn't be pushing himself too hard, especially in the early days.

[Kathyboard1 in reply to Robbie1964]

Thank you so much for this, we phoned the hospital and he's booked in for re hab on June 12th. I also ordered a physical copy of the link you sent for the booklet. Thank you again x

[Penoir53]

Sending love. The same here for my hubbie. The Rehab nurse was and is amazing. She saw things I didn't anxiety wise. We are almost 2 years on and for sure time helps with confidence. We kept meeting people who would say he'd feel better than ever and that wasn't true back then as he was v fit and well so felt worse for a while but started with little walks around the block and built. The drugs carry side effects too which are hard for someone who doesn't even take para but the heart consultant tweaks some of them. It will get better as in feel better and more certain or the uncertainty will feel more dealable with. The first days after he was just 'well let's do normal things' but it wasn't right. Denying the enormity of it wasn't right. Youve done the right thing to reach out. We've treated it carefully and talked and talked. With two young ones it is harder to find time but it will get better. Or feel more normal. The rehab nurse gave us a huge printed out manual (about 2 weeks after he got a call out of the blue but chase up if you don't get one) and there were exercise classes you could sign up to but for someone who is obsessed with health and lifestyle M used it as a guide and found the exercise classes not for him when he attended. If there are any lifestyle things your hub can change change them. If not and there weren't for M, it will be about confidence. M was petrified of doing anything but walking for a bit. Now he walks the dog up to 15k brisk steps a day and is normal in risk except travelling abroad...for now and that's due to preexisting arrythmia not the heart attack. I'm on the forum for my own heart issues ironically. He wouldn't naturally reach out for help and advice. So good on you for doing so. We are in Northumberland and Janet his Rehab nurse was amazing. Keep going. Can't tell you how early on you are and what a huge shock it is to keep reliving for a bit. The cost is a huge wakeup call as to life and living and that is mentally exhausting and sad really, but the benefit is a real refocus on small goals to finding the new normal. Lots of love xxx