Too much pressure at work?

[Catnip8]

Afternoon all. I had a HA and 2 stents fitted in late March, and returned to work after 6 weeks off on a phased return (ie part time, building up my hours). I was new to my role and still training, but am finding it really difficult to cope with learning what is a very detailed role. I know I am a bit slow and keep making little mistakes, which is not normally like me. I think it is at least partly the medication, and not sleeping well. I have also been told basically to 'hurry up'. My request to reduce my hours very slightly is also being thrown into the long grass. Has anyone else had difficulty returning to work? Would be interested to hear of anyone else's experience.

[EU95PTM]

I’m sorry to hear of your heart attack and the subsequent problems you are experiencing at work. It sounds to me like you have taken on a lot so soon after a major health event. I had a HA last year (just before I was due to start a new job) and it was clear to me quite early on that it would have been too overwhelming to add a new job with a new employer into the mix. My brain was scrambled with trying to come to terms with having a heart attack and foggy and fatigued from all the medications I needed to take. I didn’t take up my new job. It means we have a reduced income but it was the right decision. What you have been through is significant and it sounds like your employer hasn’t been overly sympathetic. I do hope you can sort something out that will help you.

[redimps]

I am so sorry to hear of your heart attack and the experience you are having in terms of returning to work. I had a STEMI heart attack at work 18 months ago and have some ongoing heart issues. Unlike you I was settled into my work role, which was a very stressful and pressured job, and when the time came to return to work I fully expected to return on a phased return and to a supportive environment. This however was not the case and many obstacles were put in my way, management wanting to change my role, saying I was no longer to manage my team, that people felt 'uncomfortable' working with me ( I did realise that it was stressful for people when my event happened in the office but still unfair I thought) etc, etc. I quickly realised that my return was going to be really stressful so made the very hard and painful decision to leave my job, a job I loved. Although this meant a huge reduction in income I realised that health comes first. I was given a second chance surviving such a major heart event and although it has been hard adjusting to not working I don't regret it, it was absolutely the right decision. I know you may not be in the position to give up work or indeed want to however it sounds like your employer is not being supportive so please do think of yourself and your health. I hope you manage to sort things in a way that is right for you

[Hidden]

This is a tricky one. I don't know if I have done right or wrong. I collapsed at work and after all the test I was told I had a congenital heart defect. Now people would think he was born with it, so he must have adapted. Yes I kept a job for 40 years a technical job which did involve shift work and physical lifting which I have to admit was not my strong point. But after the collapse which was never really found out why other than my blood pressure had gone up very high I tried going back to work. I found it hard kept going for nearly a year but I was not right. Mentally and physically. Then voluntary redundancy came up. A good pay out or carry on struggling? I don't know if I done right or wrong but when it comes to health it is the most important thing. I would like to work but work can be hard with people politics and stress. The trouble with a condition that you have to carry around with you, only you know how you feel. From the outside you look fit and healthy but you are not anything like your peers. Especially from a physical, strength point of view. And even the mental strain a heart diagnosis can cause. Knocks the confidence out of you.