Hi my name is Maagie. I am 54 years old and left hospital yesterday after being treated for a heart attack. My daughter has been amazing but I feel very overwhelmed, confused and scared.
Confused : Hi my name is Maagie. I am... - British Heart Fou...
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Maggieann68
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I’m very sorry to hear about your heart attack. I can empathise with your feelings. I had one last year whilst on holiday and when I left the hospital, I had very similar feelings. Did they say what type of heart attack you had and what the cause was? These are important factors to know going forward so that you can get the best treatment and care plan for you. I have heard great things about cardiac rehab. This should’ve been offered to you in order to help you manage and cope with a number of things after your heart attack such as your physical and mental health.
It’s good to know that your daughter is there with you. We really do need all the support we can get from friends and family during times like these. I have attached the BHF helpline number below where you might benefit from talking to one of the cardiac nurses. Their lines are open from 9-5pm Monday to Friday and they are very knowledgeable.
0808 802 1234
I wish you all the very best of luck during your recovery and remember you’re not alone.
Tos ❤️
Thank you for your message. I was told it was a blocked artery, had a stent put in. I have diabeties and high cholesterol. I was put on several tablets and told 1 of then can cause indegestion but I have to take it, but get anxious when I get the pain. I have been offered the rehab waiting for a letter from them.
Are you referring to pain from the indigestion? If so, a lot of people are also prescribed something to help with protecting the stomach lining such as Omeprazole. Have they prescribed something for the possible indigestion? If not, it could be worth contacting your GP on Monday and discussing this with them and may also help reduce your anxiety around taking this one particular tablet you’ve been prescribed.
I hope you receive the letter for your cardiac rehab soon.
They did give me tablets for indigestion but not doing much, I will call the doctors surgery on Monday, I think the anxiety is not helping it is a sical anxiety/pain pain/anxiety.
Hi Maggie,
I hope you’ve been able to get an appointment with the doctor today. Let us know how you get on 💜
in reply to Tos92
Hello Maggie
One of the best things youve done is join a group such as this. I had an Nstemi 8 weeks ago and was anxious not knowing what to expect. The most helpful people to me were the British Heart Foundation. Their site is packed with information and I spoke to one of their nurse practitioners who put many of my anxieties to rest.
Going from one medication a day to 6 was a bit scary (side effects) and knowing it was for life.
This site has been so helpful to me.
It is scary but most definitely will get better. Good luck keep reading BHF.
Maggieann68 in reply to
Thank you, wishing you all the best for your recovery join here has been the best thing since leaving hospital💜
Hello 
I am so sorry to hear you have had a heart attack and no matter how family or friends support you which we are grateful for it does leave you feeling so overwhelmed and sometimes alone because you feel no one understands how you feel but you have found the right Community with people that know exactly how and what you are going through and where you can come and talk and someone will always answer and listen to you
I imagine you will eventually be offered Rehab which when you are I hope you will go as it will benefit you so much
How you feel though is totally normal the body recovers more quickly than the emotional and mental side which we go through most of us find that takes much longer our confidence has took a battering and takes time to build it back up again so be kind to yourself tell us or your Daughter family, friends how you are feeling as holding it in really does not help but talking does
Take a day at a time and let us know how you get on x
Thank you so much it has helped posting and people responding who understand 😊
x
Hi Maggie.
Sorry to hear of your heart attack. I had a heart attack about 2 months ago and can fully ubderstand the way you are feeling. Initially I was feeling very scared to do anything.
I started cardiac rehab classes and find them really good, not just for the carefully monitored excersing but also to meet people in a similar situations as mine.
Changes in diet and excersise are starting to make me feel better now about myself and my confidence is growing again.
You will feel better in yourself soon, just try and keep a positive outlook and certainly do the rehab when it's offered to you.
I am defo going to do the rehab can only be a good thing. Thank you for the advise very grateful 💜
Kristin1812Heart Star
Hi Maggieanne. I’m glad to hear rehab was already mentioned to you. . I found it a huge support, and a great safe way to build back strength and confidence..The Cardiac trained staff were great for help and advice.
Just one thought. Not all the stomach protecting pills ( -prazoles) suit everyone, some made my stomach worse. I think my GP tried 3 till we found one that did the job well. It’s worth asking.
I am defo going to speak to my GP tomorrow think that is the 1 thing that needs looking at. Thank you it helps knowing it is not just in my head 💜
hi, I’m so sorry about your heart attack. I’m also 54 and have heart failure and waiting for OHS. I have sat looking at this site since February before posting for the first time last week and it felt good to finally have responses from people who understand.
Take care x
Hi sorry to hear your diagnosis. It is scary sharing your biggest life events to people you don't know but what a relief I feel less anxious and more confident to share how I feel 💜
Hi, I suffered a heart attack 10 weeks ago and am 55 so similar age to you. It came out of the blue for me. What you are feeling is normal, I felt the same. Now you are hime you should get a call from the cardiac rehab who have been brilliant, they will go through everything with you including the medication, it wasn’t till I had my first appointment with them that I found out my cholesterol was higher than it should be.
It is normal to feel some discomfort in the chest as your heart will be recovering from the heart attack and could well have bruising from the stent procedure.
I spent the first few weeks wondering if I would wake up the next morning but that passed over the first few weeks of being at home.. I know I had a day of feeling like the future was bleak but had a bit of a word with myself and decided that I had survived and I owed it to my family to be positive and to get myself back to health and work on the risk factors to prevent this happening again.
Take all the help you can, as well as the exercise classes I also do their on line education classes which have helped with some if the confusion I had.
Take care and remember it’s early days.
Thank you, looking forward to the rehab and learning about life style changes. My cholesterol was sky high and also have diabeties, it has been overwhelming but I am committed to living 💜
Hi I’m sorry you are feeling anxious and just wanted to say l felt exactly the same as you and couldn’t stop crying. My heart attack and one stent was 5 months ago and since then l have completed my rehabilitation and found it so interesting and it will give you More confidence in how much exercise you can do also the talks at the end of each class are excellent. I’m now getting on with my life in a more healthy way and feeling much more confident about everything, and walking every day, l hope this helps and also the helpline you can ring and speak to a cardiac nurse is so good and they can offer you support l wish you all the best x
I think the rehab will do me a lot of good, feeling a little better today after receiving posative messages. Feeling tired after doing small jobs but determined to keep going 💜
Hi, Maggieann68,
I was you 18 months ago. I had a NStEMi heart attack in March 2022. I felt gobsmacked. To me, my HA just came out of the blue and was totally unexpected.
Looking back, I can see some potential causes. I wasn’t eating as healthy as I should; I didn’t exercise as I should have; and on and on. That day, I had worked at things as usual, and I didn’t have a clue that my life was about to change.
After my HA, I was released from the hospital with no information on what I should do next, no information on what I might feel, no information on if and how I should exercise, nor information on what I should eat. It turned out that I was still too ill to exercise, but I could read about healthy foods and diet and I could begin changing my diet immediately.
I rested, read as much as possible about heart attacks and related topics. I wanted to learn as much as possible about HAs and what to expect going forward and what I could do to help myself.
The hospital had automatically set up an appointment for a week post-HA with my GP. I felt horrible, but I kept that appointment and tried to ask some questions and get some advice. The cardiologist at the hospital had also set me up for a nuclear stress test two weeks post-HA.
It all seemed surreal at the time. I still felt awful physically (that lasted at least four months), and I was just moving through doctor visits and procedures without really understanding what all was going on. I was also scared to death and extremely anxious/panicked most of the time. Also, my medicines were being tweaked during those first several months.
I am trying to reassure you that it is “normal” to be afraid, confused, and unsure what the future may bring. This is a totally new experience for you, and you are trying, one step at a time, one day at a time (sometimes one hour at a time), to navigate yourself through it.
My advice is to be kind to yourself through this journey. My experience is that it may take 4-5 months to begin to feel like yourself again. Be patient through this. You may need to make changes to your diet, and this may be a learning process for you like it was for me. I started with eating more small meals each day, and each meal included raw fruits and vegetables as much as possible. For example, my lunch might be a small cup of low-fat cottage cheese and a handful of cherry tomatoes and a handful of raw sugar snap peas. A snack a few hours later might be 6 walnuts and a handful of blueberries. I tried to stay with raw if possible, but dinner usually included two steamed vegetables and a small piece of chicken breast. Now, 18 months later, I still try to eat a lot like this, but I sometimes cheat and even have a hamburger, or cheeseburger, or pizza. I have not had any alcohol since my HA, even though I still have a full bottle of wine in my fridge from before the HA. Honestly, I will admit that I am still a work in progress on all of this.
It turned out that I had CAD and a piece of plaque had broken off, formed a clot, and led to my HA. I take 40 mg of Atorvastatin daily, and I believe that has helped with lowering my cholesterol. However, I do need to be aware of what I eat too.
When I felt strong enough after my HA, I began to walk indoors in my home. I started with five minutes at a time and tried to gradually work up. You might be able to start small too, and gradually build up. Since you live in the UK, you will likely be offered cardiac rehab classes. Most people speak very positively about that program, so you may want to participate in that. I live in the US, and that type of program was not offered to me. Again, I read and just try to add more exercise as I feel able.
I think that being part of this forum will help you too. There are so many lovely people who will share their experiences and knowledge with you, or just lend an ear if you need to talk/vent. I think that most of us have relatively “good” days and some that are dreadful. We often still worry when we feel a strange “niggle” or things don’t seem to feel just right. We may panic or cry on one day, but we may be able to help someone else, or enjoy a good laugh on a different day. The recovery process is gradual and different for all of us.
I apologize for making this such a long response, but I felt that I could really relate to what you are feeling right now. Remember (1) you are not alone in all of this, and (2) call your doctor, an NHS nurse, or call for an ambulance if you have ongoing symptoms, or something feels off or very different than usual. It is truly better to be safe than to feel sorry.
Best wishes to you! ❤️
Thank you for your message means a lot. I am taking 1 hour at a time, try to find my feet and find a routine. Struggling with the eating but trying to ear at least a small amount.
Making sure I move about during the day. I am staying with my daughter as I don't feel confident being alone.
When I was in hospital it had been less than 12 hours after my op and was told I could go home, they gave me a load of tablets and said I would get an appointment for 2 weeks for cardio rehab.
I had spent 20 hours in casualty as the beds were limited.
I spoke to my boss on Friday and he hinted at when I would return to work advised by hospital to have 2 weeks off.
I wouldn't even consider going back too work until you feel up to it get the doctor to put you off
You will certainly need more than 2 weeks off. My GP signed me off for 4 months, I am lucky as I get 6 months full pay and I realise it’s not an option for everyone. Being off work has been hard I feel like I don’t belong anywhere but realise the huge amount of stress I had been under for 18 months helped contribute to my heart attack, my organisations HR department have not even bothered to contact me either so has also helped me realise I am just a number.
If you are able I would take as much time as you can to recover I am using this time to re/ educate myself on how to look after my body and working 12 hour days and eating a packet of crisps for lunch and a biscuit because I didn’t have time to stop for lunch is not part of it.
Keep us all posted of your progress. X
Omg I totally relate to the bag of crisps and other junk food with not having time to eat. Going to see GP if I can tomorrow to discuss work x
I just called my GP and said I needed some time off I said probably be ok in a month, he said ok I will send your certificate through and it came through with 4 months. I felt really bad as I never take time off but actually there is no way I could return at the moment. My GP had already got all my discharge notes from the hospital too.
As we say in Scotland Aye right! ,2 weeks of is totally insufficient to recover from what you have been through. I had a HA 23 year ago and remember the emotions of uncertainty and all the other negative feelings. Other posts have given you great advice and encouragement so try and think positive thoughts that you wil recover and give yourself time to achieve this which is certainly a lot more than 2 weeks. Don't be pushed by you boss look after yourself.
Hello Maggieann,
I’m so sorry to read about your HA and how confused and scared you are - there’s nothing worse than how you feel right now and what you have gone through but in time, things do get better. I felt exactly how you feel. I asked myself why this has happened, I felt too young for all of this and I couldn’t sleep because I was scared to close my eyes in case I didn’t wake up, how would my husband cope without me - all these thoughts went through my head - it’s normal. I never thought I would have a HA as I thought I had done everything right - and I had according to the medics but they put it down to genetics as my mum was the same age as me when she’d had an angioplasty. I have been in your daughter’s situation, seeing my mum go through medical issues but she didn’t tell me how she felt and she protected me from a lot of things but please speak to your daughter as she will probably be as scared as you right now but you can share this journey together and she can also learn by it. From my mum’s point of view she would have felt like us, as I said it’s normal. It’s taken me 10 months to accept it but along the way I got help and support from my cardiac nurse, GP and all the people at rehab as well as the kind folk on here who shared their experiences with me. As soon as anyone was nice to me at rehab I would break down in tears as I just didn’t think it was fair - what had I done to deserve this? As it turns out I hadn’t done anything wrong, it was likely to be genetics (as heart disease runs in the family) so there was absolutely nothing I could have done to change the situation and now - well it is what it is and I just had to deal with it.
As BeKind said the mental side takes longer than the physical side to recover but honestly in time you will get there. Take all the support and advice you can get. It will take time to get used to the meds remember this is all new and if you’re not happy with how you feel on them, speak to a GP you can trust and hopefully get some consistency with. As far as the indigestion meds, I’m on lansoprazole and they work fine for me. The drugs you have been given are generally given to us all but how your body reacts and how you feel means it can be trial and error in the first year, there is always an alternative type of drug so if you don’t feel right speak to your GP and get it changed to one that suits.
There are so many inspiring stories on here from people who have walked in our shoes but are now doing more sport such as running and taking part in park runs etc. You may feel you can’t do much right now and not very motivated and things will never be the same again but if you want to get back then you will but do what you’re told by the cardiac team allow yourself time and honestly you will get back to the same old you in time - be kind to yourself, you’ve been through a lot and this wasn’t in the plan!
You’re still you and you’re still your daughter’s mum and in time you will feel like your old self again. Just do your best with food choices, exercise and look after yourself mentally- you’ll get there but you know where we are if you have questions or if you just want to let off steam and share how you feel. Take care and keep us posted with your progress ❤️ 🧚🏼♀️
Thank you so much for your message I have got up today seeing all my messages and don't feel as lonely. My daughter has been amazing and been by my side since the ambulance was called, we have been talking and she nags me about my meds and eating wouldn't have it any other way. I am taking life an hour at a time, reading a lot on life style and changes. But most of all knowing people understand and helping me get through mentally is massive 💜
See, you feel happier this morning which is good news and sounds like you have a great relationship with your daughter. This whole event will be a rollercoaster ride for a while but I really hope you have more ups than downs. It will probably open up a whole new world researching what we put in our bodies and how things work. Good luck with everything and keep your chin up - you grow through what you go through ❤️🧚🏼♀️
Thank you 💜
Hi there Maggie, I’m sorry to hear of your recent heart attack. I’m almost 18 months on from mine and it’s been quite a journey. I’m 52 so quite similar in age to you. It is very normal to feel overwhelmed and scared, especially in the early days.
Cardiac rehab was really helpful to me, although I was the youngest there and the only female so I did feel out of place and self conscious. Don’t let that put you off as it will help you regain your confidence as it did me.
Exercise has become an integral part of my day. I have a dog so I’ll walk him for around an hour each day at a brisk pace, plus I like gardening so I’m busy in my garden a lot of the time. None of this seemed possible in the early days but I have surprised myself with my progress. I have found it harder to adjust my diet and I have times where I fall off the healthy eating wagon, so that is work in progress and I try not to be too hard on myself.
Wishing you all the best in your recovery.
Thank you for your message.I have never been a good eater but as you say it is a work in progress.
I do another of walking normally as I work full time, although of anxiety around going back to work.
I have thought about a dog as it would ensure I walk daily.💜
I think everyone's said it all. It's a massive shock and the lack of follow up by hospitals doesn't help. You are basically given a load of tablets and handed over to y our GP. It feels like they say "We fixed your plumbing now go home and get on with living". Within about 3 weeks you should be contacted by cardiac rehab. Do take it up. It will do far more for yoru confidence than anything else. Look on it as an early warning to get medication and change your lifestyle if necessary; ie diet, smoking , alcohol and exercise; whichever is needed. You survived it so make any necessary changes and enjoy the rest of your life. It's 5 years now since my heart attack which came totally out of the b lue. I had more problems with medication side effects than I did with the heart attack but they can all be changed if necessary. I su ggest talking to your GP for an explanation of just how bad it was and how t o start living again. SLow and steady; a walk round the garden at first then slowly increasing.
Yeah blows your mind a bit when it happens doesn’t it - I’m nearly 2 years on from mine and have built up a lot of confidence over that time that I’m not about to drop - takes a while I know and you’re understandably anxious and thoughtful - hang in there, follow all the advise, give yourself a bit of time then start rebuilding - very best of luck!!
Hi Maggieann68, it's almost 4 months since my heart attack, it scared the hell out of me when I heard those words. Cardiac rehab nurses are fantastic, and it helps with building confidence on moving about and they are very helpful in explaining everything if you ask. The hospital ward staff were amazing but consultant didn't really take time to talk and explain everything, it was during a doctor's strike though. Was in hospital 2 and a half days, sent home few hours after first stent and called back 5 weeks later for 2nd stent, was in and out in a day.I still get strange feelings and sensations which throw me off and make me scared.
The cardiac rehab are fantastic, friendly and explain everything if you ask. They referred me back to see cardiologist and put my attending the classes on hold until I've been seen.
It is scary, but having this community here is great, I've been checking in for a few days now and read so much on bhf site and here that's been so helpful and made me feel less isolated and alone.
Cardiac rehab nurses are amazing and helpful and hopefully will be for you too. It does get better and you will start to feel more ok and confident as you give yourself time to process everything and get your strength back. I'm still getting there slowly too. We're all here for you, best of luck 🤞
Hi hope you had a good day.My had has been better today, still anxious but the pain is less so I think same of the pain before was due to anxiety.
Thank you for all your comments here. I'm 6 weeks in from my HA and reading these has given me real hope for the future. Maggieann68 take care and thanks for posting. You'll have helped a good few others like me too!
You are welcome it was posting or driving myself crazy and more pain. 😜 have you been to the cardio rehab 💜
Not yet - end of this month. But I'm reading advice like thus, resting, eating carefully, etc. Got to start somewhere!
Hi Maggieann68, , you have had such great information already so not much to add to be honest. All us hearties are always here to support where we can. I am two years post bypass and am grateful every day. As has already been said the impact psychologically can be greater than the physical so it is very important that we give ourselves time and be kind to ourselves. Your daughter sounds a gem, support is so vital. For me one of the main things was struggling with the side effects of meds, it can take a while to find the right ones and for everything to settle. Please if you do find the meds are causing you problems speak to your gp and don’t suffer in silence. As has been said rehab is so important, I am still a member of the gym I went to nearly 2 years ago. The people are wonderful. Take good care, Judi
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