How to regain energy

[BSA20]

Hello everyone. I am 70 years of age and had a heart attack in September 2022. I am on four types of heart medication and feel okay in myself but most days I totally lack any energy. I also have colitis which obviously isn't helping. osteoarthritis and osteoporosis but before I had my heart attack I was fine and could walk however far and fast as I wanted to and do all my housework tasks. The only person I know who has had a heart attack had stents put in and felt better straight away but because I had to wait over 5 hours for an ambulance and our local heart hospital would not accept me, it was too late for me to have treatment. In fact the first hospital I was in made an unauthorised transfer to the heart hospital as they kept refusing to accept me. I have been told I have lost 35% of my heart function. What can I do to find my energy because quite frankly the exhaustion is getting me down. Thank you for any advice you can give me.

[EU95PTM]

I’m really sorry to hear what happened to you. It sounds like a terrible ordeal. Are you under the care of a cardiologist still or have you been discharged to GP care? It may well be worth asking for a medication review to see if they are optimised for you.

[BSA20 in reply to EU95PTM]

Thank you for replying. I saw a Cardiologist in February with another appointment due in July. I also have an appointment for an Echo scan in mid June but have already been told it probably won't happen due to staff shortages. I think the problem lies with the blood pressure pills as I don't take them if family are coming round or I have an appointment to attend on that day and I feel better. And there is my colitis to consider too which keeps flaring up with the heart meds. Just can't seem to pick up,

[Hidden in reply to BSA20]

I'd suggest a GP appointment as soon as possible to discuss possible changes to medication. I wouldn't wait till your next cardiology appointment as, if it is categorised as routine, it could be delayed and delayed (from experience my early March appointment still has not happened and I still have no date). After a 3 week wait! to speak to a GP, I got a great one this time who has written to the consultant asking for me to be seen so hopefully this will stop me falling further down the waiting list. The GP did say that the consultant might, without seeing me, just request that the GP stop one of my medications that is potentially causing my tiredness, dizziness etc. But told me to keep taking all medications till then. Similarly with your echo, please don't delay taking your health issues back to the GP so that hopefully it does not remain as just a routine follow up.

[BSA20 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you. I will try to speak to my GP but I know she will be reluctant to change my meds. The trouble is, I don't know how I should be feeling at this stage in my recovery.

[Hidden in reply to BSA20]

Know exactly what you mean. Nearly a year since my out of the blue heart attack and very little advice/support available once sent on our way with medication. You probably already know this but the time of day we take some medications can affect our tiredness.

[Hidden]

I suspect as you have a number of significant health issues to deal with an answer of diet, managed exercise etc is only of limited help So perhaps you should be talking with your GP to try to help you along, since unfortunately specialists only seem interested in their specific area. Otherwise you could try the BHF Heart Helpline nurse who may be able to help.