stemi

[Summerplace]

l had a Stemi 10 weeks ago and just the left descending artery was blocked l had a stent and my E F was 40% to 45% l have been walking every day and I’m doing everything that l should be but I’m scared that when l read on the internet that my chances of survival could be 4 years it’s worrying me so much . Does anyone know people that have survived stem is for longer 🤞my door to balloon was 4 hrs , is that too long for a good outcome.

[GFFF]

Hi Summerplace, welcome to the club no one wanted to join!

Much as there is some useful information on the internet, a lot of it can be inaccurate and scary. The best source of accurate info is the BHF pages.

Survival time is very much individual but personally I know people who survived 20 yrs or more following a major heart attack. Please try not to worry, concentrate on enjoying life and keep doing what you are doing. Walking is great for both physical and emotional wellbeing xx

[Summerplace in reply to GFFF]

Thank you for your reply

[pasigal]

Another survivor here, including cardiac arrest. Yes, honestly, our odds of another event are high, but after a few years, they actually get close to the societal average. I have had a hard time wrapping my head around that, but hey, I'm 55. If I get 15 more years on this planet, I'm happy.

This may or may not be of any comfort, but my father also had severe heart issues, starting at age 48. He lived until 75 and it was cancer, not his heart or arteries, that got him! I'm not meaning to be flippant, but just to point out that a heart attack is not a death sentence. (And believe me, I struggle with that on an almost-daily basis)

[Summerplace in reply to pasigal]

Thank you , it’s so nice to be able to speak to people that share your feelings, I’m a young 74 and after a Stemi the only thing l could see on the internet was I’ve got 4 years left if lm lucky, l don’t get to see my cardiologist until October and that seems such a long time since the event in May. Your Father certainly did well and I’m sure that’s something for you to look towards. We can only do our best and thank you again for your reply.

[devonian186 in reply to Summerplace]

25 to 30 years after a heart attack is very common and that period is extending as medicine advances. You are more likely to die of other causes than one that is heart related whereas in the general population as they get older it becomes more likely as so many have undiagnosed and untreated heart conditions

[Summerplace in reply to devonian186]

Thank you for your reply, makes me feel more positive.

[devonian186 in reply to pasigal]

pasigal

Another 15 years is only 70 so no you won't be happy to 'only' reach this age as other 70 year olds here will testify!

So look after yourself and look forward to reaching a much riper older age

[aardvark68]

Hi Summerplace. That information you saw on the internet is alarmist and not very accurate.

My husband had a stemi and several stents. He then lived a normal very active lifestyle for over 18 years. In 18 years you will be 92!

I also experienced both a stemi and a cardiac arrest - fixed with one stent. That was almost ten years ago and I have had no problems since then. Am still leading an active life, traveling a lot and driving etc. etc. Nowadays I seldom think about it

My advice would be to try not to worry and enjoy the many extra years which you can have with the stent having corrected the blockage.

[Summerplace in reply to aardvark68]

Thank you so much, l will be honest and tell you how l reached the state of mind I’m in. I know that l had a Stemi in the main L D A and it was very badly blocked. We had arrived at Heathrow airport to go to Rome and all l felt was bad indigestion so because l was determined to go on our holiday l put off calling for help.

Now l know the how bad this can be because the longer you leave it the more damage, l was 4 hour from onset to stent and l know the magic time is 90 mins so you get less damage.

I’m still waiting to see the cardiologist to find out my echocardiogram results 🤞My Mother died when she was 93 so 92 would be fantastic 😊thank you again and so pleased your getting on with your active life it’s so good to hear.

[LouiseGardener]

Hi there, isn’t a day goes by when I wonder how many years my HA and reduced EF rate has shaved off my life expectancy. I feel like life is a just a ticking time bomb to a potential re-event or complications that will arise from having a permanently damaged heart.

That said have two friends who know family members who are going strong 20 plus years later post stemis and with no problems along the way. I think about them often as I surge forward living my very best life and consider myself lucky that the silent killer that is heart disease isn’t silent for me any longer.

Hard I know but try not to let what has happened define you and good luck to you living YOUR very best life post HA.

[Summerplace in reply to LouiseGardener]

Thank you for reply, so you’ve made me feel better and in return l would like to do the same for you.

Your obviously a kind and caring person and deserve the best outcome for yourself, l think we must do the best we can and make the most of every day.

[Karabiner]

Hi Summerplace, you are right about time between HA symptoms and intervention, but they do not apply universally. A fit person with blocked LAD may end up with less damage after a longer interval of time than another if they have clear ancillary and well developed micro vessels that can help bypass the blockage with oxygenated blood. Each heart and its coronary artery complex is different both before and after a HA. The muscle damage will vary with time and anatomy. Likewise will the recovery. The heart's capacity to recompensate given time, medication, and exercise can be quite extraordinary. For reference I had a STEMl 16 years ago and another 2 years ago. I have noticed no tragically different symptoms over this time. And I've run a half marathon and climbed upteem Munro's in between. Yes, get your echo results but don't be imprisoned by them. Folk with quite low EFs can be fit and active and recover exercise tolerance and quality of life.

[Summerplace in reply to Karabiner]

Thank you for your reply, you have no idea how much better you’ve made me feel.

Before the attack l used to swim 64 lengths 3 times a week and walk on the other days for at least 40 mins so even though my E F was 40% to 45% I’m now hoping it’s improved.

It’s funny how your mind can get things all wrong without correct information, so from what you have explained to me lm feeling so much better. Joining this site is the best thing I’ve done because in the last 10 weeks l feel that nobody has explained things to me and that left me feeling very down and tearful. Thank you again.

[EllenMcC]

My husband had his 3 year “anniversary “ of his STEMI this month. Other than the tiredness at times he is doing well. We have a farm and he also works as a mechanic. I worry more then he does. From the time we called the ambulance for him to stent was more like 12 hours. His GP gave him a copy of his last echo from Jan. His calculated EF was 48%. The reviewing doc guesses it to be more like 35%. Apparently due to his confirmation his heart is hard to get good readings on. I sent a copy to my daughters sister in law who as luck would have it is an echo tech herself. She said she has seen many worse who had heart attacks twenty years ago still going strong and he may outlive us all. I have a love/hate relationship with dr. Google

[Summerplace in reply to EllenMcC]

Thank you so much, I’m so pleased your husband is doing well. To know that so many people get on well after a Stemi makes me feel happy. I’m going to sack dr Google.

[EllenMcC in reply to Summerplace]

That is a big part of why I like this site! It is a huge shock (my husband was only 48) and trying to figure out life after can be daunting. Hearing from those who have been through it helps far more than cardiologist reports 😊

[Summerplace in reply to EllenMcC]

👍definitely

[Beaududley]

Had my HA and stents bang on my 70th b day. Now 5 years later still hanging around. Got used to the uncertainty over time.

[Summerplace in reply to Beaududley]

Thank you, yes it’s hard to begin with but after having so many people tell me you can see light at the end of the tunnel 👍makes me happy, you just keep hanging around 😊

[Prada47]

Hello

No need to worry about life expectancy we can take actions to increase it, but it is a lottery at the end of the day. I had an MI in 1982 next event was in 2015 i.e.33 years later which was a double bypass, my RCA is 100% blocked and can't be opened. After my bypass my EF was 27% so diagnosed as Heart Failure it has increased over time and is now around 36/38%.

Fast Forward to 2018 new Cardiologist who carried out an Angiogram and he put 2 Stents in my bypassed LAD.

In 2022 after an MRI Cardiologist said he would like to increase the size of the stents in my already bypassed LAD. During the Angiogram the Cardiologist suggested he Open my Native LAD to increase blood flow to an area of my heart he felt wasn't getting a good supply. so hey ho why not.

So I have had 40 years since the start of my Heart journey and later this year I will be 76 and I have no intention of going anyplace soon. I have had a pretty good life and I look forward to the future so looking forward to my 80th Birthday.

My only concern is that I get to 80 with my own Teeth I don't want to have to chew my Steak without Teeth. p.s. currently I don't have any false teeth lol

I know I am fortunate in not being worried about my Heart but after40+ years you get used to it !!!

Regards

[Summerplace in reply to Prada47]

Wonderful 👍you are certainly a survivor 😊 enjoy that steak at your 80th 🥩 and thank you.