Robert

[Gromit1963]

Hi everyone. I had a heart attack on 3rd Aug 2023 and was rushed to the Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital where the great staff there managed to save my life. I have had a stent fitted and hoping to go home on 8th Aug. All seems to have gone well with just some soreness. The hospital and everyone involved were marvellous and I would like to thank them so much for all their help and kindness. I am a 60 year old male who has never smoked, does not drink, eats quite healthy, and plays badminton three times a week so I was shocked when I had a heart attack.

[Tos92]

I had a heart attack last year, and I was 29. It does come as a shock when you’re healthy otherwise. It’s great to hear you have received some amazing care from the hospital you were treated at. I hope they will refer you onto cardiac rehab once you’re back home and settled.

Good luck with the recovery.

Tos

[Gromit1963 in reply to Tos92]

Hello Tos. I am so shocked as you are so young. We tend to think it only happens later in life, I feel so sad for this to have happened to you. Than you for taking the time to reply with your kind words.

[Blearyeyed]

So sorry to hear about your heart attack but also so glad to hear that you received such excellent treatment and feel that you are recovering well.It is very hard to come to terms with having a heart issue when you have lived a healthy lifestyle, but many of us learn this can happen no matter how well we live from day today.

Keep your spirits up, allow yourself time to rest , recover and come to terms with what has happened as sometimes it can take a while to sink in.

Keep coming back on the forum to let us know your progress and to ask any questions you might have about what happens next , your medications and rehab, and any other tips you might want for leading a happy heart life as you move forward.

Also feel free to post if you ever feel you need a bit of support or encouragement, as we all do have down days as we experience this journey and it's often good to speak to others whom can assure you that what you are feeling is normal and folks that understand how that feels .

Take care , Bee

[Gromit1963 in reply to Blearyeyed]

Hello Bee. I am so glad I have joined this forum as everyone has been so helpful and supportive. Thank you so much for your reply.

[Heyjude31]

So glad you are on the road to recovery. As previously said please do take up rehab. It really helps with both physical and mental recovery. Judi

[Gromit1963 in reply to Heyjude31]

Thank you Judi. I will take your advice and do the rehab.

[Ewloe]

Yep my heart attack occurred not long after I got home from the gym 😂😂. 2yrs on Ive managed to maintain my fitness. Not at the same intensity or level as before but by changing how I exercise. As I also had a cardiac arrest which left me with some heart muscle damage and now have some arrhythmias I’m doing pretty well. Be patient with yourself and accept the new path you’re on. Good luck

[Disney1971]

Good luck with it’s your recovery

[Gromit1963 in reply to Disney1971]

Than you Disney. Weirdly enough I was suppose to be going to Disney in Florida on Friday this week but of course I can’t now! 🙁

[Columbo70]

Been there. An emotional shock as well as a physical one. Recovering is not linear, there can be ups and downs. Cardiac rehab a great way to get some confidence back. Best of luck with your recovery.

[Gromit1963 in reply to Columbo70]

Thank you Columbo, it’s so good to communicate with other people as it helps me to understand how to cope better and listen to their advice and experience. It truly is an emotional shock.

[Columbo70 in reply to Gromit1963]

I was 50 years old, played a lot of tennis, didn’t smoke, rarely drank alcohol, etc…..phase 3, and later phase 4, cardiac rehab provided me with a defined pathway and structure for recovery…..

[Digger0]

Glad you are doing well. i had the hole in my heart repaired at the LC&H last year. Excellent place!

[Gromit1963 in reply to Digger0]

Hi Digger. Great to hear you have been at LC&H too. They really are wonderful people and look after you so well. Thanks for your reply and take care.

[MelB51 in reply to Gromit1963]

I am under their care too and always find them to be really good. They never keep you waiting long past an appointment time, the staff are all excellent and they just seem to be very efficient.

[Bingo88]

So sorry to hear you have had such a shock. Especially living such a healthy lifestyle. Pleased you are recovering well and hope you get home soon. Brian

[Gromit1963 in reply to Bingo88]

Hello Brian. Thank you for your kind words. I hope you are well too.

[Bingo88 in reply to Gromit1963]

Yes doing ok Thanks. Getting old is no fun at all for the majority. Your lucky if you have no health problems. Take care. Brian

[YITOPM]

NHS save lives. Not perfect but imagine the alternative. Good on you surviving. I’m a 57 yr old bloke and similar happened to me, they stuck 4 stents in. Here I am, despite worries and odd moments, 3 years on. And my fitness is shocking. Should be many more years for you to come. 👍

[BeeBee79]

Glad to hear you’re in such safe hands. I’ve been under their care for 2 years and think they’re excellent.

I had a cardiac arrest on holiday in Crete last year at age 43 - was in Crete then Athens for over 2 weeks before being flown by air ambulance to LHCH where they fitted my ICD/pacemaker on the 3rd August 2022. Couldn’t help but notice the date of your HA.

Cardiac rehab is highly recommended for you to gain confidence back to exercise. Take it easy on yourself ❤️

[Gromit1963 in reply to BeeBee79]

Wow BeeBee, I was about to go on holiday to Florida this Friday. Thank god it didn’t happen to me on holiday, that was close! How awful for you. I am going to have to think carefully where I travel in future as I believe USA is extremely expensive for medical care. LHCH have been great for me too.

[BeeBee79 in reply to Gromit1963]

It was strange because we get travel insurance through our rewards bank account and I’ve never looked at it before properly. Before we went away last year, I decided to see what was covered and aside from lost luggage and cancellations there was not much in the way of medical care-so I took out an extra policy for myself only. My bank cover only paid out £500 towards repatriation and considering I flew in an air ambulance to Athens and then another back to UK, I can’t imagine what it would have cost with no insurance. The hospital stay was €1500 per night and I was there for 18 days, not to mention the daily tests they were performing on me.

I hope you can easily rearrange your trip to Florida and double check that travel insurance 😅

[Golfgirl3]

Me too! I thought I was healthier than average so, unreasonably, it was a real blow to my pride to have a heart attack. The shock wears off, so does the anxiety. We all know how you feel so ask any questions and someone will be able to offer help or support on here.

[Gromit1963 in reply to Golfgirl3]

Hi Golfgirl. Glad you felt the same way, I pointed this out to my consultant who replied that if I hadn’t kept myself fit then the damage to my heart would have been greater so perhaps we did do the right thing trying to stay fit. Still a shock though. It’s so reassuring reading everyone’s experiences as it helps you understand better what is happening.

[Chemarta]

Hi, I’m 10yrs your junior and it just so happens I too had a heart attack 1st Aug. Discharged 48hrs later. Ambulance team were thorough and sent me to the best hospital , in my opinion in London, Hammersmith. There, many consultants were thorough and extremely knowledgeable and on the ball.

My BP was 200/103 on arrival, administered GTN drip to bring down pressure to 135/85 and keep me stable before the procedure.

They knew of my complexities, investigated and engaged with me every step of the way making me comfortable before going ahead to insert a stent in the LAD, 75% of the main heart artery.

You see, I was diagnosed with heart disease 2021 and is complexed by Mixed Connective Tissue Disorder and Auto Immune Disorder.

I admit I have indulged in drinking and smoking over the years but have also reduced and even cut them out completely over certain periods of my life.

Whether you do or you don’t, certain stresses of life can play the biggest factor for heart attacks which none of us are immune to.

I’m glad I signed up 2yrs ago to this platform and wanted to check in for support now that I am in recovery.

You are a very brave gentleman and I thank you for sharing your ordeal. I do hope your recovery is smooth and stay positive. Take it slow and each passing day, you will get stronger. 🫶🏾

[Gromit1963 in reply to Chemarta]

Hello Chemarta. Thank you for reply. Everyone on this forum has been so helpful and supportive. I have listened carefully what you have said about stress and I will make changes as soon as I get home.

[Nadeje]

Wow! First of all, best wishes for your speedy recovery! It's shocking that you have had HA considering your healthy lifestyle!It's just shows, it can happen to anyone.🤔😮

Good job you were treated in Broadgreen, it's one of the best hospitals in the country, I had my aortic valve replaced there in 2020 (during the time of that which can't be mentioned in here) at 70 years of age and had the best care!👌

Do the rehab , it wasn't available for me at that time.

Best of luck!😊

Monica

[Gromit1963 in reply to Nadeje]

Hi Monica. Yes all the staff at Broadgreen were truly wonderful I’m sure you will agree. They all have a sense of humour which helped at our darkest time. Thank you for your reply, this forum is already helping me recover.

[Nadeje in reply to Gromit1963]

Hi, Gromit1963, it is very good for info on this forum, lots of helpful and knowledgeable peeps here. As for Broadgreen hosie, yes , loads of scouse humor!🤣👍 Always helps! Take care!

Monica

[Kristin1812 Heart Star]

It is such a shock, when you have done what you can to live healthily. Doesn't seem fair, does it?

Unfortunately our genes don't always help us.

Do post here if it helps you with some of the choices and changes you may want to think about. People are very willing with their time, concern and information. They helped me a lot.

[Gromit1963 in reply to Kristin1812]

Thank you Kristen for your kind words and advice. Everyone has been so supportive it has already helped me a lot.

[Qualipop]

I think we were all shocked when we had heart attacks. Apart from a family history of heart disease which GPs totally ignored and breathlessness at times which was put down to my spinal problems, I would never have thought it could happen. I'm now glad it did because it was an early warning to change things and find out WHY it happened. You obviously had a blocked artery like me so you now need to ask why, get suitable treatment and look forward to the rest of your life. I'm now 5 years on from mine and rarely think about it. In a few weeks you will get an appointment with a rehab nurse who will give advice on diet and lifestyle and should invite you to rehab sessions. Do go; they are the best way to increase your confidence. It's very early days for you and you may get side effects from the tablets - there are alternatives so don't be afraid to ask your GP. Onwards and upwards and ask lots of questions.

[Gromit1963 in reply to Qualipop]

Than you so much. I will definitely attend the rehab and let you know how I get on.

[Miocardial_1]

I had a heart attack aged 43 in December. I am also similar to you, and healthy. Made me realise it can happen to anyone. And yes it’s a shock to the system.

Glad you were looked after by the hospital team. Keep going! You’ll have good days and bad days but remember you’re here and doing well. Keep smiling 😊

[RoryDude]

Hi there. I’m sorry to hear about your heart attack. I had a large heart attack in July 2022. I was 44 at the time. Never smoked, no a big drinker, pretty active - walk everywhere. The heart was a shock. I’ve had some issues since and my treatment is ongoing. Keep talking about it - it helps me to talk.

Rory

[Whatjusthapened]

Hi

I am also 60 and had a heart attack in March this year.

I was also, a fit non smoker, non drinker.

It’s such a shock, which messes with your head quite a bit.

The Cardiac rehabilitation team based in the University Hospital of Wales have been excellent in helping me , both physically and mentally on the road to recovery.

If you get the opportunity, ask as many questions as you can.

Knowledge will be a massive help to your mental recovery.

Don’t rush back into things. You will need time to process what’s just happened.