Returning to work.

[Nunk]

Hello, I had my heart attack just over 6 weeks ago now and had 3 stents fitted. I’m still tired most of the time but I’m managing to cope with it. I’ve decided to return to work on Monday, my job is in engineering. It’s heavy manual work on a lathe and involves a lot of lifting and pulling. I’ve negotiated that I’ll be able to do office work on shorter hours for a couple of weeks. What I’m worried about is wether I’ll be able to return to my old job again. I think it may be too much for me and we work 10 hour shifts. Im just not sure what to do and I’m scared of something happening health wise if I return to what I used to do. Any advice and help would be very much appreciated.

[Unawatuna]

I think it's great that you've manage to negotiate the office work as a breathing space. But it's still early days. A gradual return to fitness is ideal. Can you contact your cardio nurse and run your situation by her. I think you should have access to one at the hospital. I bought a low density tread mill as we live on Dartmoor and during the winter months it's not always easy to exercise outside. With the ok from the nurse, I started walking at low speeds and and gradually increase to 45 mins at a brisk pace. I am 73 and had a stent after a massive heart attack. Your situation is very different though. My very best wishes moving forward.

[Nunk in reply to Unawatuna]

Thank you Unawatuna, I’ll contact them now.