two heart attacks

[Lmcroy]

I had my first heart attack aged 46 and the second one at 50. On both occasions I had to have a stent fitted. The heart attacks were mainly back pain and breathlessness. Iam ok physically after cardiac rehab but iam struggling emotionally. I am just unsure about work I am a primary teacher and don’t know whether Togo back or medically retire. Does anyone know how medical retirement works?

[trafar]

I think it depends on the scheme that you are on. I know with local government there are different level ms if ill health retirement with one being more beneficial than the other. I would give the pension people a call .

[Lmcroy in reply to trafar]

thank you

[BeKind28-]

Hello

I am so sorry you have had two heart attacks I had 3 within about 5 months which led to a triple Bypass and I know emotionally and for me I still have severe anxiety affects us

Have you thought even if you have had some Counselling this could help with trying to deal with how you feel

Do you feel under pressure with your job or do you enjoy it ?

If you do feel under pressure before you make the decision to retire would it be an option to try part time and see how that suites you ?

If you were to give up your job and retire do you feel you would be happy to be at home and not working ?

There is so much to take into account and I would make a list one side of the list the positives that retirement will bring the other side of the list the negatives it would bring if you retired and of course you could have the third option on your list regarding if you went part time if that was an option

Usually when you do this one outweighs the other and the answer is there what would be right for you

I have no idea how medically retirement would work if you are not retiring age I think but could be wrong you would have to prove you are no longer fit to work but hopefully others will be able to answer you how that works as I know some members will know

We are always here to talk and let us know how you get on x

[Lmcroy in reply to BeKind28-]

Thank you

[BeKind28- in reply to Lmcroy]

x

[devonian186]

I was very struck when I went in for my bypasses at 70, by how many people in their late forties and early fifties were in the ward for heart surgery a second time, the first being 5 or 10 years previously for the same reasons.

Without exception they were very overweight. They obviously had not changed their lifestyle.

I have no idea of your own situation obviously, but it could be lifestyle-diet and exercise, genes, stress or just bad luck.

Teaching is very stressful and these days through a combination of the behaviour of the children, the parents or bureaucracy is no longer enjoyable for many.

So I guess the basic question is, do you still enjoy the work and if you don't could you be moved away from the front line and keep working in the field?

That's an awful lot of retirement time to fill if you are only 50.

[NannyPat1]

teaching is one of the most stressful jobs. Long full on hours with kids then so many more hours on planning and paperwork. You don’t say if you find it stressful but I’ve yet to meet a teacher who doesn’t. Your health and well-being are more important than anything now. Maybe there are options to come out of class at least part time, do more cover etc ? On the other hand teaching is a good distraction - too busy to think about anything that’s not in the moment!

[Deejay62]

I retired at 55 medically and began taking my government job works pension early. We use to be able to take it at 50 but it went up to 55, on medical grounds.

I got bored and decided to get a part time job in a shop. I’ve now stopped work completely because of a fall.

You have to contact your HR and find out where you stand. But like Be kind said, why don’t you consider part time? You’re a long way from pension age and when you’re use to working suddenly doing nothing you can become depressed, unless you have another plan.

All the best

[Hidden]

Are you a member of a union? If you are seek advice from them. It will probably involve seeing Occupational Health and at some point seeing a Dr and they will assess you and make recommendations to HR and the Head Teacher.

Keep all your letters and medical letters and keep a diary of how you feel each day which is handy for several things ie. work and adjusting your medications.

[Petitlady in reply to Hidden]

That’s good advice Hidden, I am pretty sure that what the doctor will assess is whether you will be well enough to return to your job as a teacher before you reach retirement age . They don’t just look at how you are now, but how you are likely to recover with any medical treatment/ therapy you need. If you are just turned 50 that’s 16/17 years away so it’s not a given that you will get a pension. If you are a member of the Teachers Pension scheme there will be info online and your union rep should be able to advise. Medical retirement is not a quick or easy process for many people

[Lmcroy in reply to Petitlady]

Thank you

[Qualipop]

I took medical retirement from teaching many years ago when your pension was based on yoru final salary which of course in teh late 80s bore no comparison to now so my pension is tiny and worth nothing. You need to find out just how much you would get and whether it would increase in the fu ture. I've probably had much more out of it over the years than if I'd waited but it's still barely worth considering.