Health anxiety

[Heartmum56]

So today has been rubbish. 8 weeks post NSTEMI went for first cardiac rehab assessment. Cried all the way through, so anxious, BP went through the roof (it's been fine) and judged not ready for rehab. So deflated. How do I push past this anxiety? Physically all seems to be on track and thought I had calmed myself over last week or two but anxiety came roaring back today and now affecting physical progress. Do I go to gp re BP or see if it comes down? Maybe need to increase ramopril even if anxiety related? Also have a 48 hr monitor tomorrow to check for arrhythmia. Finding it all too much to process. It's 8 weeks now and still feel in shock. Looking for some encouragement!

[BeKind28-]

Hello

8 weeks is nothing and what we find is our bodies recover more quickly than how it affects some mentally

Maybe the appointment you had today was playing on your mind and why you broke down and a lot of us our BP goes up when we have these appointments

Have you got a BP machine at home you possibly will find it goes back to normal in a couple of days

I was very upset the other week mine went up I have BP machine at home and I had mentioned it to my Doctor she said it will go down when you settle down maybe a couple of days and it did

If yours stays up then tell the Doctor but see if you settle down if your BP goes down to

It is so hard to process everything that has happened but try and think of the positives how well you have done today is a down day but they will get less you have to be kind to yourself and just ride the ups and downs and eventually you will get there and keep talking about how you feel I find that helps to x

[Shar28]

Hello, sorry to hear of how you're feeling. Its fine to feel how you do, its normal and you’re definitely not the only one. Please don’t knock yourself down by thinking you “shouldn’t” be feeling anxious because thats not the case at all. A heart issue is a huge thing and it takes time to get your head around

The brilliant BHF nurses on the helpline 0808 802 1234 weekdays 9-5 are well worth chatting to as they support you emotionally as well as with medical/technical info.

Your GP should be able to help you get some counselling or prescribe something to help take the rawness away and help you cope, short term, a d the cardiac rehab team should be able to help by generally supporting you.

Feel free to shout out on here too, just as you have done now. I’ve always found the others on here are kind and supportive.

Best woshes to you and your loved ones.

[Tos92]

Hi Heartmum56

I’m sorry to hear about your NSTEMI.

It sounds like you’re making good progress health wise which is good however, it is early days so it makes sense that you will still be processing everything that has happened.

I had an NSTEMI last year so I can empathise with you on the anxiety front. I also was not offered cardiac rehab. I suppose there’s many factors that are taken into consideration when looking into cardiac rehab and because you seem to be doing okay, this may be a reason why you were not offered it.

I still can’t believe even a year and a half later sometimes that I’ve had an NSTEMI/MINOCA. However, this is normal and I’ve had to go through a process of grieving my previous life before the heart attack and having to embrace my current present moment.

Walking really helps with my anxiety. I appreciate you might not be ready now however, even 20-30 mins everyday may be good if given the okay by your cardiologist. Also, meditation and breathing techniques are a few other things that I use for my anxiety. I have some health anxiety since my NSTEMI, so I find this useful.

Let us know how you get on.

All the best.

Tos

[GFFF]

it is perfectly natural to feel like this, please don’t be too hard on yourself. See the HA as a warning shot that you make changes, it sounds as though the doctors are keeping a close eye on you which is fab. If possible try to focus your anxiety on what you can do to change things, for example if you feel anxiety coming on do some gentle stretching exercises, it helps to focus your mind on something productive, as you regain strength you will be able to move on to a long walk, a bike ride etc xx

[Gillw1978]

be kind to yourself it’s a lot to go through 8 weeks is very early days. We have up and down days I was fairly chilled out before this but found the anxiety harder to deal with than anything else can rehab refer you to lift they help with the psychology side it’s gonna take time to process I’m 6 months in having more up than down days now but occasionally it creeps in ❤️

[bridgeit]

Hello Heartmum. It sounds to me from your post that you're still in shock from the unpleasant experience you've had that has rocked your world. My opinion is based on (my) old age and life experience, not medical training.

The anxiety you describe is your body recognizing threat. It's called 'fight or flight'. Adrenaline pumps through your system and prepares you to take action. First though, you freeze. Your BP soars and your heart rate does the same. It's difficult to undo this process.

Fight or flight reaction is deeply primal and, unless you're fully ready for and understand it, largely outside your control. It's like recoiling from a snake; automatic behaviour based on several million years of evolution.

Based on the fact that you're neither going to fight the medics attending you nor flee from them, you could do with teaching your body a better strategy to manage this perceived threat (generated by the fear memory of what's happened to you).

Learning to meditate, particularly focusing on breathing and clearing the mind of "chatter" otherwise called panicky thoughts should help. Here's a link that you might find useful as a starting point:

amazon.co.uk/s?k=kim+eng+re...

I suggest using the above info to delve deeper into resources that are available online, particularly focusing on mindfulness, Eckhart Tolle and Kim Eng. There are other resources and teachers as well. There are free resources out there on Youtube; I advise against spending hard cash until you've dipped a toe into the meditation water and decided it feels good and is working for you!

Breathing well is very important in any attempt to calm the body. Breathe slowly, longer breathing out than in. Breathe outwards from the ribcage, not upwards through the shoulders or downwards from the belly. Count 4 seconds to breathe in, 6 seconds to breathe out. Focusing on that one little behaviour should help re-direct your mind away from 'fear/panic' mode when in a stressful situation, and thus reduce the mental chaos for you.

Finally, what you're feeling is normal. The shock will pass in time, as will your body's reaction to it and things that trigger threat reaction. Recognising the triggers and responding well to them is a wise move and should help keep you calm in challenging situations (all of them).

Meanwhile, I think you should follow the medics advice and be kind to yourself. 🙏

NB. Psychologists have carried out research indicating that women are highly and unjustifiably self-critical when trying to overcome difficulty!

[Heartfairy]

Hello Heartmum56. Oh gosh I can so sympathise with your situation. You are where I was 8 months ago - that’s how long it’s taken me to turn my corner and accept what’s happened. I totally agree with all the responses you’ve had so far and this forum really helped me with the experiences, empathy and advice fellow hearties offered. But only you can take the time you need to accept what’s happened, it can be really difficult to accept such a big health event and we do fear if it will happen again, question our mortality, will we grow old - all the fear just kicks in and takes over but we have to learn to STOP ✋ and try and think of the positives (I know that can be so hard when you’re so scared and anxious and feel like you’re in a black hole) but please don’t let fear hold you back! You’ve had an event, you’re on the meds which in itself is a daily reminder of what’s happened, but remember those little pills are your friends - they are helping your heart. Take one day at a time and enjoy doing simple things like having a little walk, spend time with people who appreciate you and who are there for you. Discuss your feelings, whether this is with a cardiac nurse, the helpline, on the forum and get as much help and support as you can. Then at bedtime write down one thing that stands out for you that day that you’ve enjoyed or appreciate. It could be something as simple as feeling the sunshine, stroking the dog, hearing the birds, eating a treat - anything! And I promise in time you will accept what’s happened and move forward. Your heart event is raw, it’s early days, emotional and scary but get rid of the pesky enemy “fear” and live each day as it comes. How you feel is absolutely normal but it will get better. It’s taken me 8 months and I still have the odd day where I feel scared or feel sorry for myself but we’re allowed, there’s no timescale, we are all different and the forum is great for support. One thing I would advise you on though is when reading the stories on here, is initially pick and choose what you read as there can be some scary experiences which can make you more fearful and anxious. Read what relates to your heart situation for now just until you feel stronger and then you can learn and educate yourself on other things that can happen to the heart. For now focus on your heart situation, you have to look after your mind whilst accepting the new you. Take care, you will get there ❤️🧚🏼‍♀️ xx

[Norton]

Hi Heartmum

You are not alone now and you won’t be in the days ahead. I had my HA just over 6 months ago and emotionally it took me a while to adjust I still have very wobbly days where I feel quite overwhelmed with everything that has happened. You will get through this, don’t judge or benchmark yourself against other’s recovery times we are all different we were all different before and we will all be different going forward

Possible your Bp increased due to your anxiety if you feel you want to see your Gp go and see them

Your confidence in every day life settings will have taken a knock, you are obviously determined you went to the rehab class, you are self aware you said you had managed to calm yourself over the last few weeks

Small amount of daily walking if you can manage increases your confidence is good for your anxiety and is a step towards exercising

8 weeks is early days ask for support in your local area, emotional support is well recognised as being commonly required and very helpful in your recovery

The folks on here are great and helped me a lot at the start of my journey, don’t beat yourself up you are doing great take it one day at a time there’s a lot to process and it doesn’t all happen at once

Be kind to yourself and let us know how you get on, so many people have been where you are and are willing to share their experiences and progress before you know it you will be sharing yours

A step at a time slow and steady

[Anon2023]

hi. I really felt for you when reading your post. I can completely relate to what you are saying as I have also been where you are now. You need to take it day by day and allow yourself to recover. There is lots of support on this forum from people who have shared the same experiences, you really are not alone although it may feel that way at times. Sending you a big virtual hug. Xx

[MummaSoap]

Hi Heartmum

Firstly, I think you’re so brave for being so open and honest about the effect that this event has had on you - that’s a huge part of the journey! Well done for acknowledging how you’re feeling.

I haven’t got any lived experience of an NSTEMI but as for many of us with heart conditions, the road to recovery can be a long and winding path with many twists and turns along the way. Might it help to focus on your progress (no matter how small) rather than the end result? Be patient with yourself and listen to your body; it’s not a race and try not to compare yourself to others. You are an individual and everyone experiences things differently; you’ve got this and there’s a whole community here waiting to put there arms around you and come along on your journey with you, you’re not alone.

Keep us posted with how things are going.

Take care, sending you best wishes

Soap 🧼 💛

[MummaSoap]

Hi Heartmum56

How are you feeling today? I’m hoping better 🤞🏼🤞🏼

If not, that’s ok too and we’re here if you need us.

Best wishes

Soap 🧼

[Heartmum56]

Thank you everyone for your encouragements. The week has definitely improved and have got over my BP anxiety at least and getting more normal readings at last. Worrying about other things now. About to post again!