panic

[Keepmewell]

Hi all anyone experienced panic attacks the weeks following from the heart attack really don’t like them.

[Yumz199725]

I can definitely relate to panic attacks not with heart attacks but I had a lot of them when I was in hospital with lower respiratory tract infection that affect my heart. Was rough 💔💔💔. So I definitely feel for you I would have one every time I coughed and couldn't breathe made it soooo much worse! X

[Keepmewell in reply to Yumz199725]

Oh bless you yes I had them alot to begin with but it’s getting better I just feel like I’m gonna die when it happens and part of me thinks oh well so be it x

[Yumz199725 in reply to Keepmewell]

Yeah they can be really bad the worst one was after I was out of hospital all I did was laugh and I had a massive panick attack and couldn't breathe had to call an ambulance cause I couldn't breathe 💔😟. Hopefully it dosent last long for you lasted a few months for me x

[theonethatgotaway1]

Yes I used to get them before my heart troubles in my mid 20s. Absolutely terrifying. Driving myself to AnE doing 90 miles per hour in a 30 zone at night as I am 100% certain I am having a heart attack/stroke!! My heart is pounding, skipping beats every 10 beats. Sweating. Can't breath! Gotta rush! I am about to die!! Finally get hooked up to the machines, I'm safe now....hearts calming down. Slowly feel it wash away. Hearts fine.....

Now after my heart attack in my late 30s, not as bad but its there. On the verge, creeping back up, waiting for its next move. Heart pains come on and bam! Panic sets in. All the symptoms are there. Every sensation is a sign something is wrong. Health anxiety is real! Heart trauma and ptsd is real!

[Keepmewell in reply to theonethatgotaway1]

Totally understand how you feel

[HenryTudor]

When I came home from hospital after a HA and stents I had panic attacks when falling asleep. Nothing major, but a terrible feeling of dread that if I fell asleep I wouldn’t wake up.

I focussed my thoughts on a young friend of mine who’s achieved a great deal against the odds. Single mother with an autistic daughter. She’s completed an OU degree and done other amazing things. By taking my thoughts away from “me” over time these events went away.

I discussed this with my GP and he described it as “self-administered CBT.” But maybe you can think about CBT.

[Keepmewell in reply to HenryTudor]

Thank you 🤗

[Kristin1812 Heart Star]

I know how ghastly these panic attacks are.

I became very anxious after a series of three heart attacks, For me, a v disabling and overwhelming feeling that I wasn't going to survive, thoughts that became even bigger at night, were very disabling,

At first antidepressants helped. Then therapy. It was diagnosed as health anxiety and depression, and PTSD.

Do ask for help with them, if they persist.

[Golfgirl3]

Yes, I had to work quite hard to distract myself! I'm sure you'll find a technique that works for you - it might be doing something physical or some 'mindfulness ' concentration. The good news is that it's a normal reaction to the shock of it all and it does pass. Initially, there's a lot to be anxious about because it's a new life but there are calmer days ahead

[Keepmewell in reply to Golfgirl3]

Thank you 🤗

[Llanne]

After totally unexpected H.A and stent fitted, my panic attacks increased as had a lot of flashbacks to the event.Ive always had panic attacks and night terrors during stressful times I find doing deep breaths really helps me calm down It's not a pleasant experience and I empathise with you but they do get less regular I'm 1 year 2 months from HA. Take care

[Keepmewell in reply to Llanne]

Thank you 🤗

[Qualipop]

Surprisingly I didn't even though I've suffered panic attacks for 40 years. They are horrible; ask your GP for help dealing with them. You need to recognise the very first signs and learn how tos top them getting worse; get someone to talk to you to distract you, learn self hypnosis and relaxation techniques, play music and sing along with it- that helps to regulate your breathing, try CBT. Anxiety after a heart attack affects everyone to some extent. Have you been offered or started rehab yet? It's the best thing there is to build your confidence.

[Keepmewell in reply to Qualipop]

Yes I am doing the cardio rehab thank you 🤗

[isobelhannah18]

I didn't experience an actual panic attack but my anxiety levels were sky high all the time for months after my heart attack. They gradually subsided with the help of family, cardiac rehab, CBT and this forum. They will go but get any help available. I referred myself to CBT which was on the NHS. Good luck.

[Keepmewell in reply to isobelhannah18]

Thank you 🤗

[Whatjusthapened]

Yes

I can relate to that. Since having a stent fitted in March,I’ve been back to A&E 4 times. They are getting less frequent now. It’s reassurance and information from the Cardiac Rehabilitation team, that’s helping me.

It does get easier with help.

[Jules2021]

HiDidnt have panic attacks after my heart attack but have had them before and they really aren't pleasant. I hope you manage to work through it x

[Keepmewell in reply to Jules2021]

Thank you 🤗

[Zed1063]

terrible and I stilll do. I had my HA in April and my anxiety is through the roof

[Smitty1956]

Hi, Keepmewell,

I had anxiety disorder before having my HA in March 2022. The short answer to your question is “Yes!”.

I think that it is probably normal to be afraid following a HA. First, it was probably totally unexpected and blindsided your life. You likely never saw it coming. I certainly felt that way.

Secondly, you likely found yourself in the hospital having multiple blood draws and various tests. The night of my HA, the doctors drew blood over multiple hours to check troponin levels, but at that time, I understood nothing about troponin. I also had a portable chest x-ray, EKG, and chest CTScan. I was actually told very little, and was sent home with several new prescriptions. Everything for my future seemed confusing and scary.

Thirdly, I went home weak and still feeling terrible. I won’t go into all the symptoms and issues, but I was afraid daily. I actually felt terrible for about four months. I did have some chest pains that I didn’t have before my HA, and I would have some palpitations/skipped beats daily. Again, all of that terrified me everyday.

I think that that is also a big part of the problem. I became much more highly sensitive to every little ache, pain, palpitation, racing heartbeat, etc. I didn’t know if my life could ever get back to anything even resembling “normal.”

Again, it is probably normal to have some of these feelings following a HA. Now, at over a year out, I can tell that I do feel better, and I am relatively stronger. My worry has calmed some (maybe quite a bit), but I still can have a panic attack once in awhile. I do try to use some breathing techniques and mindfulness activities. Those do help some, and I am a work in progress in this area.

Maybe one main thing is to be kind to yourself. It takes time to recover from a HA. Be patient with yourself. If you are having a good day, then maybe do more, take more steps, etc. If you are tired and having a not so good day, then maybe relax more—read a good book, sit in the semi-sun, have a cup of tea, watch a movie, etc. Give yourself time to recover.

It also helps to not compare what you can do, or feel like doing now to the you before the HA. That doesn’t really help; it can make you feel sad and anxious. You might journal and keep track of your feelings as you recover. You can record the number of steps walked daily or weekly. You might note changes that you make to your diet, how strong you feel each day as time passes, or note any concerning pains or heart issues. You can then use your journal entries to track your health progress, and/or help to formulate questions that you want to ask your doctor.

If you feel ill, have serious heart pain, etc, don’t hesitate to call an ambulance, or go to an ER for help.

You might also find it helpful, at least for awhile, to ask your doctor about having a low-dose prescription of an anti-anxiety medication such as alprazolam (Xanax). It really can help a tremendous amount. Plus, you could try CBT therapy for your anxiety. The breathing techniques and mindfulness activities that I mentioned earlier can also help.

I am sending virtual hugs and positive thoughts your way. Best wishes! ❤️

[Keepmewell in reply to Smitty1956]

Thank you so much for your comments very helpful🤗