Hi, I am looking for any advice or help you may have please.
I recently had my 40th birthday and was enjoying our family holiday to Turkey when I was woken with chest pains and it turns out this was a massive heart attack. I’m fit and healthy usually with young children and full time quite stressful job. I don’t understand why! But I’m not wasting my time on the why! It’s happened and I’m still here! 🙏 after a blood clot removal, ballon and stent fitting and spending a month in Turkey with the family I arrived home on Saturday (2nd Sept)and made an appointment with my GP For Monday. I took all of my Turkish medication which I had tried to google to find out what it was and my GP was as shocked as me! He prescribed me all new UK approved medication which in his words are superior and I started on these 10 days ago and since then I have felt awful! I have no energy and could sleep 20 hours a day Quite easily! My stomach is in bits constantly and I can’t keep off the loo. I’m hoping these are side effects of the concoction of tablets and hope they subside soon?? I am getting really down with feeling this way! The second thing is since my appointment with my GP I have had no further contact with cardiologist or for rehabilitation I feel like I’m just wasting days away not knowing what to do next scared I may do damage if I do anything I shouldn’t be! Thanks for listening ❤️
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Hjb83
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I am so sorry this happened to you and just as you were celebrating your 40th Birthday
You are right in not trying to overthink why most of the time for lot's of people it is nothing they have done but one of those things
How frightening or it would have been for me been stuck in a Turkish Hospital but seems apart from the meds maybe they took good care of you
You have not said what meds you are on now but yes there are a few of them can make you feel tired and yuk but you do adjust to them in time or if you do not there are alternatives
I think you need to see your Doctor again and ask if you can be referred to a Cardiologist here just to see if they are happy with everything ( which I am sure they will be )
You could ask your Doctor again or try phoning the Rehab Nurses at your local Hospital and ask if they do Rehab classes tell them what has happened and ask how you get on the sessions they do as so many benefit from these Rehab Classes
It is early days give things time things will get better
Thank you for your comments I have added the drugs I have been prescribed. It was pretty scary in Turkish hospital not knowing the language much except usual holiday lingo! And the hospital was 60km from my family so it was a bit traumatic for us all. I have just found a rehab email for my local hospital so I will give them a try as the GP said I would be referred to them and cardiology but I feel there is no urgency! Not what you need when you are totally blindsided and have no clue of what I should be doing. I guess everybody recovers at their own pace but I felt I was progressing before I started on the new drugs and now it’s back to square one! I’m not usually one to rely on anyone and it’s a complete 360!
So you are just on Aspirin then and a statin not sure what the nasal spray is
The statin and Aspirin should not be affecting you I would not have thought making you feel as you do
Are you not on anything like Bisoprolol or any blood pressure meds as they can have side effects
I cannot imagine how it was for you over there it is not good when you are in your own Country but with a language barrier goodness I think it would have sent me over the top
You are back home now though and maybe everything is just catching up with you and it just so happens they have changed these meds as it has but if you feel no better never hesitate to speak with the Doctor again that is what they are there for
I hope those Rehab Nurses get back to you as they will be a huge help
There are also the BHF Nurses you can phone who are wonderful I will put you there number down as giving them a call might help they might be able to answer the questions or give suggestions while you are waiting to be seen x
Heart Helpline team on 0300 330 3311 Mon-Fri 9-5pm
sorry I attached two pictures but it didn’t attach this one! I’ve scribbled on the ones associated with my heart attack.(others are allergy medication) 😊 x
I thought well they have not given him much now I see the other two they could be making you feel this way they do a lot of people but give them some time to get used to them and hopefully you will adjust and if not there are alternatives that they can put you on x
These seem absolutely normal medication for your condition. However any long time reader of these pages would be able to tell you that some people-like myself-have no problems with the medications mentioned-others have considerable problems.
Its worth identifying the problems and whether you can relate any tablet to that problem. There are alternatives for all of them. However it is relatively early days in your treatment and it might be 2 or 3 weeks before you can definitively say any tablet is causing you problems.
Perhaps the Turkish medicines were better or perhaps they were placebos? Unfortunately you need to push hard with your GP and get them to refer you to cardiology or perhaps give a call yourself to whichever local hospital has such a dept and ask them what to do next.
Thank you for your advice, I did call the cardiology dept in my local hospital yesterday as I’m starting to feel pretty down as an active working parent to pretty much sedate state is very hard to swallow! It must be the medication I’m pretty sure as the previous was not causing any issues and the GP did advise NHS medication was far superior to the ones I presented to him and only since taking them have I felt like this. I spoke to the pharmacy who are great! And he advised it could take a few weeks to get used to so I was trying to hold out for 3 weeks but it seems like an eternity. I will definitely reach out to GP now after all of your comments as I now see there are alternatives. It’s all a learning curve I guess, I just took these medicines and my life prolonging saviours! Thanks for all of the advice and support! It’s nice not to feel so alone and crazy to see how many people this has happened to at home and abroad. 😊 xx
Someone else here suggested a private initial consultation with a cardiologist might be worth considering. At present you don't know the extent of your condition. It might be completely resolved or you might need other treatment. Until someone sees you and carries out tests you are in no mans land.
If the local cardiology dept has offered you something concrete that is fine. However, if despite your prodding they don't come up with an appointment and a plan, then do consider the initial private route so all concerned can know the state of play. Hopefully with a change of lifestyle, medications etc, that will be it, but you do need to know.
They sure were not placebos? to be fair I think the level of care in most other countries can exceed ours and it would appear you can get seen a lot quicker as well. Just different names i would think.
I agree. Our number of medical staff and expenditure is broadly in line with other countries. I suspect that because it is 'free' that people use the NHS for a lot more things than in other countries, some of which would be part of medical insurance they might take out.
I fully agree that it is being used for every minor ailment locking it up to those that really need it. The future will be private health insurance for those that can afford it. I live in Ireland which has an identical health system and over 50% of people pay private health insurance, which is fully covered by tax reductions and makes it so easy to get the appropriate healthcare. A&E is now a haven for twisted ankles and broken fingers and of course the drug addicts and alcohol related injuries. Very disappointing to see.
The bisopralol could be making you so tired. I had to have it changed as it dropped my BP and heart rate too low. Some people just can't tolerate it. Pleas accept the rehab no matter how long the wait is. It's the best thing you could do both for physical and mental recovery.
Hi l also had a big heart attack but mine was at the airport in London just before we flew, l had a stent and I’m on the same meds as you. Mine happened in May and at first l was so tired and depressed and scared, but the good news is after doing my rehabilitation and talking to the nurses on the helpline and the wonderful people at Healthunlocked l feel back to normal. I had no problems with my meds but everybody is different. I wish you all the best and just do everything they tell you to do.
Thank you for your advice, I guess it’s just hard living a busy life and now the hours feel like days! I’ll get there I know I will I’m so happy I found healthunlocked I feel hopeful and less alone 😊
If you work do you mind if I ask how long it took you to get back?
I’m 74 and retired, having said that I’m a young 74 and at first l only had to have a shower and l would be flat out on the bed asleep for hours, now I’m out walking every day for 50 mins and feeling great. I met people at my rehabilitation classes that l think seemed to be the same age as you and they talked to me about going back to work soon. So l did 8 weeks at rehab and l guess some of them got back to work within that time , you will be surprised as the weeks pas you will start to get more energy, when l had my heart attack my EF was 40% to 45% it’s now up to 48% so you hold on and do your rehabilitation and talk to people it does help
Hi there (and thanks for the follow!) - first off, I'm so sorry this happened to you. I can relate and it hits you like a tonne of bricks, the enormity of being diagnosed with a heart issue so relatively early in life. I'm very glad you had effective treatment in Turkey and are now home.
I bet you're on a full gamut of heart drugs now and they absolutely can play havoc with your system at first. My advice would be to read through the leaflets carefully and highlight anything you're experiencing that might be the result of your medication. Then see what changes - my body did become accustomed to the meds after a few weeks. But keep your GP looped in, go back for advice, and make a nuisance of yourself if needs be. They will start you on what's most effective for most people (or, my inner cynic muses, cost effective!) but there are plenty of other options in most cases if something isn't working for you.
Probably seems like telling you to suck eggs and others on here will have more insightful advice, but I wanted to welcome you and tell you you're far from alone in this experience. I sincerely hope things settle for you soon - you've been through quite enough already!
Thank you for your kind welcome. I may sound stupid but I have not read any leaflets out of the tablets as I didn’t want to scare myself! Sometimes you can read these things and side effects are worse than the reason you are taking them! 🤦♀️ I think I should in this case. I’ve never felt so ill! Like you say you don’t expect it so early in life! Now I don’t dare do anything. I’m also panicking about returning to work. If I can’t do normal home tasks without a 4 hour nap how will I manage a full day/week at work! So many unknown things. Guess it’s just playing by ear for the near future. Ps. I’m a natural over-thinker 🙃
Oh I know, I didn't want to read the leaflets but it does help you understand what might be upsetting your system. I'd advocate for taking them a while and then matching the side effects that you're experiencing and ignore all the rare terrifying ones!If you get offered any cardiac rehab, jump on it, as it'll help you rediscover what you're capable of physically in a safe environment - far better than worrying and holding back indefinitely at home.
If you ever want to chat just DM me. It's a helluva scary time and it's not 'over' because you're still recovering and have to find your way into a new, post HA normal. It gets better. But right now is a bit of a slog!
So sorry to hear all you have been through. On the positive side you made it, your home and all that stress is bound to affect you.I don't understand why your GP hasn't signed you off sick, don't know if they still do that nowadays, but after all you have said I think you need time to adjust to your new life and the trauma.
I like you never read the leaflet inside the medicines pack for the very same reasons as you.
I have septic tonsillitis and because I can't take penicillin due to a previous bad reaction I am on Clarithromycin and prior to seeing my GP with a swelling on my neck last week I thought my throat was getting better, obviously when my GP examined me and it was a trainee who was extremely thorough she asked if I had looked at my throat and I hadn't because again I don't want to look for a problem. Anyway I started the clarithromycin on Friday and for three days now I've felt not good at all and the site throat is now really sore, anyway two days ago I decided to read the leaflet in the meds box and it looks like I shouldn't be taking this alongside my statin, so now I'm worried.
I woke up at 2am this morning and was quite breathless and my heart was doing all kinds of missed beats. I was going to call an ambulance but mentally talked myself down to calm down and eventually I did go back to sleep.
In essence I think you should not go back to work till you are fitter and stronger and have adjusted to your new regimen.
Try to stay positive and don't be afraid to say you feel and ask questions of all the help you should now get on your road to recovery.
hi just on the aspirin - I could not bear it re effect on my stomach and food pipe - awful burning and pain so I was given clopidogrel instead but also Lansoprazole to help with the stomach issues. I wouldn’t say completely great but a lot better.
Definitely go back to GP re cocktail of meds, there are alternatives and eventually they’ll get your particular cocktail right soon.
1. My quite small gp practice has a specialist medication person.
2. Your local chemists will see you, by appointment, to go through your medications.
Please try to consider that you will be having various issues such as pain, tummy upset etc and your meds might be helping to minimise your issues. Probably not the medication causing the issues.
I have found Clopidogrel is an excellent alternative to aspirin. It’s virtually cleared up my migraines as a wonderful side effect.
Yes they are but Clopidogrel is recommended to be taken with Aspirin for 12 months after a stent insertion so not an option. Dual antiplatelet therapy for 12 months is the norm whether on Clopidogrel, Ticagrelor or any of the others.
It is my understanding that any UK citizen who has a heart attack in the UK is put under the care of a cardiologist until they are deemed fit enough to be discharged back to the ongoing care of the GP. However it is complicated by the fact that you had your heart attack out of the UK and there is no obvious route to an NHS cardiologist except though the GP. I suggest you go back to your GP to confirm that you have been referred on to a cardiologist. If not it is also unlikely that you will receive an invitation to attend a rehab group since they are normally organised by the hospital who are responsible for your care, not your GP, so again another good reason to talk to the GP. If your GP has referred you on, you can then start chasing up the hospital and cardiology department concerned. In the meantime it might be a good idea to get the independent professional view of your circumstances from the the BHF Heart Helpline nurse as below. You are not the first UK citizen to have had a heart attack out of the UK , and so the route to get the proper care and attention you need and deserve from the NHS should not be an unknown. I hope you get sorted soonest.
I know how scary it can be having a heart attack abroad. My first heart attack was in Portugal and I was 39 so pretty similar. It wasn’t nice not speaking the language and having little idea of what was going on.
It’s hard for people to understand that you’re not in the system over here so seeing a cardiologist and getting access to rehab isn’t automatic. It sounds like your GP has added you to the system now so hopefully you will be seen but the NHS is struggling and you won’t be seen as urgent any more as you’ve been “fixed” abroad.
I remember that after my heart attack I felt normal but once they started me on the medications I got very tired. It does pass and sometimes they need tweaking so don’t be afraid to see your GP again if things don’t seem to settle.
What we did was book a private cardiology appointment. It was about £200 and he went through everything and answered our questions and then put me in the queue for rehab. It might be worth considering this.
Looking forward, it was a scary thing to happen and you’ll probably process it like the different stages of grief and then it’ll be your new normal. Try not to dwell on it and don’t let it get you down. You’re fixed now and it’s better to know you have a problem and keep on top of it than not know about a problem until it’s too late. We firmly believe having a heart attack young has probably saved my life later on.
I think you're reply is perfect and it's good (not in that sense) that this lady has a message and sound advice from a person who has been through very similar experience.
I’m sorry to hear of your heart attack. I had a heart attack last year whilst abroad when I had gone to Dubai to celebrate the New Year. I was fortunate enough to receive some really good care when I was hospitalised. Of course, having a heart attack outside of your country of residence is not the easiest, especially when we are not familiar with the destination and their healthcare system which increases our worries. It sounds like you received some good life saving treatment in Turkey and are now back home safely.
I can empathise on the cardiac rehabilitation front too. I wasn’t offered cardiac rehab when I got back to the U.K. and that’s primarily because my main event happened abroad I think and the cardiologists here could not really determine what had happened and why considering I had no risk factors at all.
My meds were also changed. I was prescribed a certain brand of medication in Dubai however, due to it operating under a different brand name here in the U.K., I remember the first couple of weeks that I took it I had bradycardia and a cough I believe. Therefore, the meds you have been prescribed in the U.K. could be just a case of your body trying to adjust to them. However, I appreciate some side effects truly are intolerable so if they are really bothersome, I would suggest speaking to your GP or cardiologist for alternatives.
Wishing you all the best for a smooth and healthy recovery.
Hello, I am so sorry to hear about your ordeal. You have been given lots of helpful suggestions already, as others have mentioned the medications we are prescribed can play havoc with our body in all sorts of ways. Hopefully some if not all of the side effects settle down. However I would say please don’t carry on suffering in silence if you are really struggling. Following heart bypass I had to change meds on a number of occasions until I found some that I was better able to tolerate.
It is early days for you and has been I am sure a tremendous shock. Please reach out to us, we are naturally not medically qualified but we are always here to provide support. One of the things I do find useful is to make a note of any questions that I want to ask the doctor, otherwise I forget, and often these questions pop into my mind when I am in the middle of doing something else. Take care, Judi
I read your story this morning and, being a heart attack survivor myself, I just want to share with you that I too felt scared about what would happen with my body afterwards and that its OK to feel that way.
Do you know what sorts of medicines you are on now? I know that I felt really worried when my ankles were swelling but it turned out to be a side effect of the Amlodipine I'm on. It could be the aspirin or statin they put you on that's giving you these problems. They cab swap the statin I think.
Anyways, sending thoughts and reassurance that you aren't alone
Hi.. It's good to hear you made it through the HA.. Similar to you, I was abroad and had to spend a month abroad when I had my stent fitted. On my return I saw my GP, and provided all the notes from the hospital I stayed in. My heart was at 40% capacity and was told I would have to go to rehab as it was below the 45% they said was manageable. The GP sent my notes to my local hospital to refer me to a specialist. I was told it may take a few weeks. After 3 weeks I called and was told that my notes had not even been added to the system and it could be several months before I'm seen. Well I not one to sit back so I contacted the British Heart Foundation and eventually, about 2 weeks, I was put through to someone who read a copy of my notes, and they got me into the rehab course, at my hospital and also an appointment with my local heart attack clinic. My advice, POLITELY, reach out for help with the BHF, they were fantastic with the relevant advice and support. When something like this happens abroad, and you're not treated in a UK hospital, you tend to slip through the cracks, so don't give up.
The only caveat is that different regions around the UK have different capacity, for support.
Re the meds, just keep in touch with your GP..
It is scary, and even after my event on New Year's Day this year, I still think about every little twinge as a concern, but by eating well and a reasonable amount of gentle exercise, mainly walking, my life is back on track..
I'm head of a sales team, so it can be a little stressful at times, but I've made a few changes and have taken time to chill out more than I ever did before and all in all, I'm better now than I was before my event. I wish you all the best and hope you get the support you need soon..
Hi, how terrible for you and your family, but you have survived and a long life ahead. Unfortunately I am beginning to realise that the meds we are given are the standard goodie bag the NHS give to everyone. The same doses etc. I became quite Ill and they had to stop the statin and bisopropol after I had a tir melt down and could not function. I don’t drink alcohol but my liver was that of a raging alcoholic!! The bisopropol slowed my heart down too much so insufficient oxygen was being carried round my body, the ramapril causes severe bloating and awful runs. I am 15 months on and no where near the dose they want to give me. I am still having issues with blood pressure and just insisted on changing medication. We are nit all the sane and need different meds …. I will bet my next wage the meds you were on in Turkey are far superior to what we are given on nhs! I hope you soon feel better and remember to push for better care x
Thanks for your advice, I agree the medication dose is high and a uk standard. I think this could be the issue I’m having! From no medication to a full dose of everything will be a massive shock to my system! I will go back to my Gp a bit more knowledgeable after asking advice here x
I think that is a wise decision. They have been totally reluctant to change my doses and type. I eventually got to see a lipid expert who confirmed total allergy to statins meds, don’t think I would have been alive 1p the on if I h@adnt insisted. I feel your pain but keep pushing , we are not robots and need to be treated as individuals and more they need to listen to us, we know our bodies. Wish you all the very best x
The first year after a HA they normally put you on 2 blood thinners a statin and a blood pressure med. Get a cardiologist appointment and also cardio nurse. Takes 2 months 2 settle down, one of the biggest things is stress so find ways to reduce this , work? Negative people. Diet is next and learning how to reduce inFlammation see cardiologist
my brother had a similar issue - he had a heart attack at a close friends funeral in Austria. The treatment in Austria was excellent but when he came home it took a bit of a fight to get into the system. Keep contacting your GP. My husband who had a by pass operation couldn’t tolerate any of the medications you were on and had the same symptoms. He was worried about leaving the house in case he was sick or had to run to the loo. The medications can be changed but would suggest changing one at a time. We discovered, though, that it was bisoprolol that caused the most severe reaction. My advice - make a nuisance of yourself
I am curious as to how you got home? Presumably flying. Were you passed as fit to fly as doing that so soon after a HA may have caused some of the problems you describe. If you were passed as fit to fly within a month of your HA that is a good sign that the damage may not be as great as you had feared.
Presumably someone somewhere has notes on your condition . if not it is essential to get some tests done, so those concerned are aware of the extent of your condition and whether the actions taken have completely resolved it.
Hi and thank you for your comments, yes I flew home after passing a fit to fly, which consisted of a Doppler test, BP, heart rate check and handed a certificate after 14 days. My GP said it was a significant event looking at my notes and I was lucky to be here! Words which ring in my mind regularly. I guess what you suggest regarding tests is my fear and to have reassurance would help me mentally get passed that.
Never underestimate the mental anxiety of having a HA. I would say its probably the most expressed facet of people commenting here as every twinge causes concern until you can put it into context.
At the moment you haven't got a map so don't know if you have reached your destination or have just started out, hence the need to get tests done and allow the experts to plan the route ahead.
I live in the Isle of Man, and after HA I was thrombolysed and flown out by air ambulance 2 days later for stenting. Day after that I flew home by scheduled service. It's standard practice for everyone here. Shorter flights of course.
Interesting. I am nervous about flying since my bypasses, customs, queuing, security etc plus min 90 minutes flight and travel to and from airport all add to stress. So am thinking of travelling the 45 minutes to Jersey from my local airport to see how I get on.
Yes. Sounds like a plan. Of course they've taken all of the joy out of commercial flying anyway. Certainly not a luxury experience nowadays! Start saving the pennies for that private jet!
By the way, I did a repeat performance 18 months later for the triple bypass. Another ride on the air ambulance out, then a commercial flight home from Liverpool to the Island 6 days after surgery. I felt like death!!
I can hardly remember the experience, I was so spaced out on painkillers. It was during the 2nd lockdown, and Liverpool Airport was all but shut. I do remember thinking what a nightmare it would be to get through that place in normal times in such a state. Despite the fact I was being wheeled through on a chair as incapacitated, there is still all of the security rigmarole to negotiate, and you really cannot be bothered with it. I climbed the steps to the aircraft under my own steam. Major achievement!!
It's a lot to deal with at the moment. The body needs time to adjust to the type and amount of new medications. Also being fit before a heart event does affect most peoples psychological stress which can affect bodily functions. Stay close to the GP and in time things WILL improve. Acceptance is the key. Have a good day
Thank you, yes the amount of medication would definitely be a big shock to the system I’m hoping it just needs time! It’s hard waiting I guess.. I just want to get back to being me. 🙃
It could be the Ramipril. It made me feel awful. Discuss it with a Cardiologist or GP. There are always other options. Others advice is great so I won't add anything except I'm glad you got good care and are still around to tell the tale.
Same thing happened to me when I was on holiday. A complete shock!!! I couldn’t sleep on my back without feeling breathless so my doctor sent me to an NHS cardiologist. I was under him for 6 months and he discharged me, giving me the all clear. No heart problems. I then decided to go on holiday where I had a heart attack. The doctor in the other country said it was a simple test to find out if I had blocked arteries and he couldn’t understand why it hadn’t been done in England. They fitted 2 stents and it cost me thousands!!!! Came back to England and had one appointment with another NHS cardiologist. He gave me a load of new meds but I challenged them. The cardiologist abroad had given me a full report and breakdown of how long I needed to be on each drug to eventually end up on just lifetime aspirin. I followed that cardiologist’s timetable and feel fine. I followed the English one for about a month and felt like crap and he said I would be on that cocktail of drugs for life???? I was in a 3rd world country when I had my heart attack and the professionalism in that country far exceeded the NHS. I had 2 appointments then the NHS signed me off!!!! No rehab, no follow-on appointments. Nothing!!!!
Hi Pauline, how awful for you too! The care I received in Turkey I couldn’t fault just so much more difficult with the language barrier. Mine would have cost thousands too but my insurance was great! They paid it all before I came home. Just our expenses to claim back now! 🤞 I’ve been advised I will be on all but one medication for life! Scary thought. I’m sure you felt in limbo when they signed you off at NHS!! I would have anxiety all of the time with no follow ups, checks for peace of mind!! How did you get info to challenge what medications you should be on? I know my nana has a heart attack at 60 and she was only on aspirin and lived to 83! I just put my faith in professionals and expect the right advice is given!
My insurance company said that I should have told them I had tests before I left but why would I, if the outcome was there was nothing wrong with my heart?
I made a formal complaint to PALS ( there should be one at every hospital) and got an apology and signed back on again. Like I said I got a very comprehensive report from the cardiologist in Jamaica. He outlined what treatment and meds I should be on fo the first year. Finally ending with just aspirin. I presented this to the English cardiologist and he just said ok - do what you want. How rude!!! So I went Private and that Cardiologist said the Jamaican report was the correct process to follow. I been on just aspirin for 2 years now and feel fine. He said that NHS cardiologist just have a script the follow. Heart - prescribe this. Cancer - this etc. A lot of them don’t think outside the box so basically you need to monitor yourself and do your own research. There’s a lot of info available via search engine and books. Good luck x
Hi. Sorry you’re having such an awful time. Can I ask why you’re on Avamys? It’s nothing to do with heart meds, but is a nasal decongestant that can cause high blood pressure and heart palpitations, so I wonder if you should be mixing it with all the other standard heart meds.
Hi Alison, oh wow do they! No one has advised me to stop my allergy medication I take this and fexofenidine for my allergies I’m literally allergic to anything grass, tree and pollen related! 🤦♀️ it’s managed with these two really well. But I have never had any side effects from them. I didn’t even have high blood pressure before hand.
I suggest you pop into your local pharmacy and ask them if there are contraindications between the 2 sets of drugs. There may not be, and it might be something else entirely, but in the first instance, it’s quicker than waiting for a doctor’s appointment xx
Hi, Can only go on my own experience, 1 year on from hart attack on 30th September end of this month.
One stent fitted, & very fit & well prior to 30th September 2022, coughed twice & the rest is history.
For first two months I could hardly walk to end of road, was tiered all time due to meds most of what you are on, & very scared of the future.
I signed up with cardiac department at local hospital which you should get from Doctors, & did two health classes at local sports center a week for 6 months all via local cardiac department, & mostly free due to hart attack, it does have some bonuses. This also helped due to all the people being in the same situation, or similar to Myself, & were always ready to talk, as well as advice you were given from the cardia nurses that run the sessions (Best Thing I Did)
I now swim two to three times a week, & am nearly back to where I was prior to hart attack.
My head is still all over the place nearly a year on, but use this site as often as you need for support.
You should be fine, but the first few months will be hard, just keep fighting & remember you are a hart attack survivor, not a victim.
Thank you for your advice and experience, I guess time is the key isn’t it! I’m used to doing everything at 100 MPH with a busy world we live in! I guess I need to try and change my mindset to accommodate a bit slower pace of life for a while! I used to go to the gym/swim 2-3 times aweek before my heart attack and would love to have the energy to do that again some day. I keep decreasing about swimming!! I love it and is my relaxing time! I have found the rehab email for my local area on BHF website and have contacted them. Hopefully I won’t have too much of a wait to get on board once I can stay awake longer than an hour at a time! 🤦♀️
HiOh my goodness!! What a horrible experience for you!! Especially iallt being I a foreign country with a language barrier. You ate home now though so that's good. Apart from the trauma of having a heart attack at age 40, you ate now on medication that may not be agreeing with you? The general cinciction of heart meds ( after heart attack) is aspirin, an antiplatelet drug like clopidogrel, a statin, and a beta blocker.
I've been very lucky and not had a reaction to any of my heart meds, but I do know that for some people, this us not the case. The beta blocker can make you tired, but so can having had a heart attack. Having had a blood lot removal and stent can also make you very tired. I think it may be a good idea to be able to sit with someone? perhaps a private co sultatuon with a cardiologist? Someone who can explain e aptly what has happened and hopefully why? Being reassured I'd so important!! ( it was for me) I has 3 heart attacks and suffered 2 collapsed stents then a double cabg in January of this year. My condition was genetic. To have things explained and be reassured makes things so much easier to deal with. Meanwhile perhaps try to talk to your GP ASAP regarding how you feel, as it could be drug related?? I hope you manage to get some e plantations and feel better soon. Take care
Thanks for your advice, My GP was great when I went to see him gave me time! Even though he had 7 minutes with me! He said don’t worry this is important and listened to me. He suggested it was probably genetics too. He was the one that advised, it’s happened don’t waste my energy on why, look forward and how to prevent it happening again. This was a couple of weeks ago and before I started all of the new medication and feel so down and pretty much sedate, I was positive now a couple of weeks on I’m loosing the positivity. Speaking to lots of lovely people on here who have had similar experiences and great advice is helping! 😊
So sorry to hear about your heart attack and really hope you are feeling better soon. So glad you got good treatment and hopefully this will continue in Britain. I'm a Brit currently living in Fethiye in Turkey. İ only found out that İ have a heart condition that dates back to childhood when I retired here. İt will require surgery in the future. Can I ask which hospital you were in?
Thank you for your well wishes. I’m sure you will get really good care over there, it will be good if you know a bit of lingo as I was pretty much in the dark as to what was happening to me I just went with it.. I had no choice really. I was at Mugla Yucelen hospital it was clean and modern but the food was.. I’ll say different! I think NHS food is gourmet but it was a special diet for heart patients I was advised even though everything seemed to be swimming in grease! But apart from that I can’t complain about the care I received. I did however start in UHA hospital in Marmaris and there was an English lady here but they didn’t have any surgeons available so I got transferred. I also went to another hospital for my fit to fly which seemed the best one very efficient it was on the outskirts of Marmaris also a Yucelen hospital.
After my HA and one stent two years ago I was put on all the meds you have been prescribed, I felt really rough after a few days, no energy couldn't walk more than 100 yards, when I rang my GP, he immediately said you've got asthma, you shouldn't be on Bisoprolol, I contacted my rehab nurse and she agreed, so I stopped it and immediately felt better.
Usual caveats, this is my experience, consult a qualified practitioner.
Thank you for your experience, I have called today and my GP has stopped that for a few days to see if that is what is making me feel so poorly. He said this is most likely the culprit so we’ll see in a few days and go from there.
Hi I'm A Canadian living in Finland and had the exact same thing happened to me last year(I was 49 at the time) they kept me in the hospital for about 7 days while they adjusted my medication., I wasn't given any information about how I supposed to get on living with my condition... well nothing in English 😜. This is also why I'm a member of this helpful forum 😁
Sounds to me like your doctors need to take a little extra time to adjust your medication properly. I truly hope you start feeling better soon!
You never think it’s going to happen to you do you!? The things you don’t think of being in a different country are crazy! I’ve just been biding my time since speaking to the pharmacist as he said any side effects should settle within three weeks so I’m holding out for that day hoping there will be some miraculous recovery! As you say luckily for these great people in my phone I’ve realised there are other options and I will go back to my GP. 🙃😊
Just remember if you feeling weak and out of breath just stop and sit down, and if you're feeling tired then go take a nap,.. our body knows what it needs. 😁
Hi..it looks like you've been put on the standard NHS one drug fits all..regardless of age or physical condition...I'm still in the same boat 3 years post surgery...😟Good luck..
Hi, Wow what a journey. My tenpence worth is on Bisoprolol. I am awaiting 3xCABG and am on aspirin, amlopidine, statins, bisoprolol and long release nitro pills. The only side effects I have are major fatigue, listless, brain fog, feeling low. I used to be able to walk 4-5 miles even with very narrow arteries, must be collaterals keeping me going. Now I'm lucky to do a mile and a bit, and thats with lots of stops to sit down taking in a "View Break ". My bisoprolol is only 1.25mg but still has this affect on me. IT really reigns me in, oh and I've put nearly 5kg of weight on. Whereas previously I lost 10kg in preparation for surgery. Glad I don't have anything of a larger dose. I'd be asleep even more and very cuddly. Im not going to change anything on meds as after 3 cancelled ops my next appointment is in 3 weeks. At that point I will discuss an alternative with the Cardiac surgeon. Hope you get your meds sorted soon.
My GP has taken me off Bisoprolol today to test if that is what is making me so poorly, wait a few days and see but your experience sounds similar to mine so hopefully he got the right drug to change first time! I have also gained 5kg! Literally eat and sleep! I do have a big appetite too lately! I’ll see how I get on 🙃 thanks for your post x
Hi, good luck, hope the change makes a difference. Yep, eat , try to walk a small distance, sleep. Silver lining, I don't have to help out with the vacuuming
First of all, I’m so sorry that you experienced a major heart attack at such a young age. It must have been a terrifying experience.
I haven’t read all of the replies to your post so apologies if I am repeating what others have said.
I certainly experienced quite bad stomach issues early on (it’s over three years since I had my heart attack). I put it down to the cocktail of meds and the need for the body to adjust to everything. Similarly, it’s not unusual to feel tired the whole time. Again, this should hopefully change over time but beta blockers for example are designed to slow you down.
As for cardio rehab, I basically missed out due to the pandemic but people seem to find it really helpful so I would recommend you pushing to get onto a programme. Failing that, the BHF do have some good videos online that you may find useful. Obviously, a tailored programme would be better if you can arrange this.
Anyway, I hope that you start to feel better soon and that you make a good recovery over time. Meds, diet and exercise should do the trick but it can take a while after your body has been through such a traumatic experience.
Thank you for your comments, I had found an email address for our local rehab and a lovely lady called me today, very understanding of my frustration, I have not been given a cardiologist in the hospital yet so they can’t give me any advice or start my rehab plan! However she advised she will look out for my file or if I hear anything to contact them straight away and they will help me. Finally feel like I’m getting somewhere. 🤞
I was on atorvastatin for a while after my heart attack and it gave me almost permanent diarrhoea. I was changed to Simvastatin and have been absolutely fine since. I know we're all different but I was on the exact same drugs and that's the one that floored me.
With regards to the rehab, it can take a while to get that sorted. I had my heart attack just before Covid so my rehab got cancelled. Its also a bit of a Postcode lottery, I was living in Kent when I had my heart attack but moved to County Durham 6 months later and got exemplary care.
You can get the meds altered and changed even if there is a reluctance by the medics to deviate from the normal list that they run to. You seem to accept its happened and are not a bundle of nerves and why me comments. I would give the meds a little while and if they still cause problems go to see a cardiologist privately. Explain your problems with the meds and as well as a good check he will be more inclined to alter or change some of the meds. It should cost you no more than £200 so to me well worth it. Really assuming there is little damage done in a year or so you should end up on a 75mg Aspirin daily as your total medication. Keep up the positive mindframe and you will be grand and back to exercise soon enough. I wish you a long and happy life as you put this glitch behind you.
Sorry to hear this. I too am a female who had a heart attack at a young age, 45. I feel rubbish from the meds as well and am trying to get them looked into.
Thanks for your post. Sorry you are having a miserable time too 😩 How long ago was your heart attack? I have found health unlocked really supportive and found a few things on BHF very helpful. Knowledge is power. Good luck getting your medication sorted too! X
I had gone through something like this on 2nd august 23. The best thing is you have to be strong and good will power. Too much thinking and anxiety is making all these things. So just follow your doctors advice and forget it that you had any heart issues 👍👍🌹🌹
Hi, I didn’t have anything wrong before my Heart attack. I had recently had all of my bloods taken and they were all perfect! So as you can imagine it was the last thing I expected.
Did they say you have high blood pressure? If not I would definitely ask your PCP and if not find out why you are on 2 different blood pressure medications, that could be why you are felling so bad if lowering your BP to much. I have found that it helps to take the atorvastatin at bed time.
Hello Hjb83, my HA was out of the blue 59 woke up through the night chest pain blue lighted to hospital couldn’t fit a stent so a bypass it was and medication
I can’t begin to imagine what you went through, especially being in a different country, please speak with the Rehab department and the nurses there they are fab, speak with your doctor and get referred to see a cardiologist, I am on lots of meds including aspirin and cholesterol meds along with bisopralol and ramipril as also have diabetes so take metformin, I suffer with terrible tummy problems had some tests done and suffer now with gastric problems so take some meds for that too, I’m always tired on and off , some days fine some days not so fine , I hope you get sorted soon and so pleased you are on here, we all suffer differently take care 😊
Oh bless you I very rarely go on line but I am reading people’s posts and yours just reminded me of belated trauma can be such a difficult time
You have had a major shock
Major treatment
Away from family and away from your country
Take time to adjust
The meds are strong because you need them to be
Keeping and allowing the stent fitted to settle down and imbed
I was 60 fit and suddenly had a heart attack similar reaction was utter shock and s bit of survivor guilt when others don’t make it through so try and rest but I haven’t been able to take all the meds over the years so have been adjusting along side my GP for many years
It maybe a silly thing to say but we can also get other things that can make us feel awful
Urine infection being one and all sorts of normal things that all of us get so please contact your gp and get yourself checked over
My husband too is having problems with his concoction of meds and is constantly on the loo . We have an appointment Tom at docs as it has been a month now and it’s really getting him down as well as coping with his stroke and AF . Hope yours improves soon . What meds are you on if you don’t mind me asking .
Hi Jackie I hope your husband gets the help he needs! I know how he feels and it isn’t nice 😭 I have been hoping the side effects will go in time but I will speak to my GP.
I am on Asprin, omeprozole, ramapril, tricagreglor, bisoprolol & Atorvastatin. X
My husband has come off of digoxin but hasn’t made much difference , they upped his bisoprolol to 10mg a day to compensate , he s on atorvastatin, edoxoban , one for his kidneys and stomach to prevent ulcers . Hooenyou get sorted to sounds like you’ve been through the wars also x
If you don't take anything else from here, definitely take the advice about rehab. It will get you moving and into a positive frame of mind. Also, you do need to be in the system and under a cardiology dept. as has been said.
As a matter of interest, what were the drugs they gave you in Turkey that suited you better? The big one that didn't agree with me was the beta blocker Bisoprolol. I wasn't on it straight after the HA, but 6 weeks afterwards I went into afib. Thought I was having another HA and my end had come, but they sorted it out and put me on Bisoprolol. Had to come off it a couple of months later because my pulse rate (normally about 52) as going down under 40 and I was becoming faint and dizzy. It makes you feel gross.
You sound fairly fit, so if you eat a healthy diet perhaps this episode is down to genetic factors as it is with me. One thing that struck me in your story is that you seemed a lot better at first and only went downhill on arriving home. A lot of the effects can be psychological because this is a massive shock for anyone to get their head around. Could it be that you experienced a certain amount of euphoria around surviving the acute stage, and then about getting home, but since relaxing you have fallen into a mental trough about it all and the inevitable wondering that we all do about what the future may hold? Again this is where rehab can help, because it's a mental as well as a physical process.
Thanks for your advice 😊 I have emailed our local rehab and just awaiting a response, I will keep pushing on if I don’t get a response!
The medication I had was exactly what I have here only Turkish versions. I was taking them from the day of my heart attack in hospital for 14 days and didn’t feel any side effects apart from tiredness which was nowhere near what I’m experiencing at the minute, I put that down to recovery. While I was in Turkey although it was stressful mentally being stuck in a hotel on the whole I do feel it was actually more relaxing physically without “normal life” being a factor. I arrived home and in my mind things felt relatively normal, then you try to do your usual daily activities! Over so it and realise things are not the same and it’s going to take longer than expected to get back to my busy family life! Add in the change of medication and what I believe to be their side effects and wham! Here I am harping on haha! I guess in this day and age of everything instant we are not used to waiting and being patient. It’s literally just over four weeks but it really does feel much more. All of the advice I have received on here has put it into prospective, I’m here, I’m alive!…take it easy for a while 😊🙃
Our whole life gets turned upside down with the shock!
I had my HA in April and never expected it. I have felt awful since. As a I write this I’m back in hospital with another suspected ha as my beats are all over the place. I sit worrying day and night and to be honest you’re right what is the point? I can’t change it
I am on various meds and they do affect how you feel as for seeing a cardiologist or rehab what is that? I’m in Colchester and they don’t do that you have your HA then just left to dry no follow up no nothing! I think it is awful. I asked my GP and they said they look after me now and I do not see the cardiologist! So I have no idea!
So sorry to hear your back in hospital again, I know how bad and distressed you were last week, hope you feel better soon and keep talking to us we’re all here for you 🤗big hugs
I’m really sorry you are going through this again, I’m guessing everyone here’s worst fear with every unexpected feeling. It is really awful how it has affected your mental health, I have not had a history of any and I can feel it playing on mine so yours is probably exasperated massively!
While you are in hospital I would express to them how it has affected you since your first HA and ask for help. I’ve done a little digging and found an email address for your area so maybe you can give that a quick message and see if you can get any help. cardiacnurses@esneft.nhs.uk
I’m hoping to get on our local one for mental and physical help so I can go on to live as full life as I can. I’m 40 years young and refuse to let this define me. 💪 I hope you find some strength and help to get you in a better place once you are well enough. Feel free to message if you ever need an ear. X
This was me. Back in A&E 6 weeks later with another suspected heart attack that was 10 times more painful than the first. Only it wasn't. After running all the tests they found that I'd gone into afib. They sorted me out with morphine (weird feeling - no idea why people use that stuff for recreation!) and Bisoprolol. I hope it's the same for you, but whichever way, as you say, the only course is to be positive and go with the flow.
It's hard to believe they don't do cardiac rehab in Colchester. I'm on a rock in the middle of the Irish Sea and they do it here. A quick google search brought this up. Maybe worth following up: neecommunity.org.uk/our-ser...
Hello, very sorry for you. It is very frightening when this happens to you as it did to my husband. When you go home you feel every twinge. You need to ring your GP and ask for a check up at the hospital and also BHF nurse should contact you to visit at home. The nurse will guide you through your rehab, timings, etc. Someone to talk to helps enormously…..
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HEART ATTACK
Possible heart attack 
Cholesterol testing mid heart attack 
Recent heart attack
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