Hello everyone. I recently had a stemi a month ago today and home now but really struggling with anxiety still. It feels like it suddenly takes over me and all the feelings I felt when I was having the heart attack come flooding back and I feel as if it’s happening again. Has anyone else experienced this post heart attack?
Look forward to being given some sage advice.
Hi Oli,
I’m sorry to hear about the heart attack and the anxiety you’re still experiencing. I am almost 2 years post heart attack and I still experience anxiety from it to this day, although to a lesser extent now. There is no deadline or time period on how we individually heal and recuperate from experiences like this as they are life changing events for some of us which means we need to be kind to ourselves. If you were offered cardiac rehab, then that should help in assisting you on ways on how you can deal with some of the mental side of things post heart attack once you start it.
Just know that you’re not alone in feeling this way and it is completely normal ❤️
I hope others come by to offer their support too.
All the best.
Tos
Hello 
So sorry to hear about your heart attack and how you are feeling now with your anxiety and having flashbacks but I want to reassure you this is the case for many of us after and it is still early days so hopefully in time as you gain your confidence back as this is a life changing event we go through how you feel now will fade
Were you offered Rehab and do you have a Rehab Nurse and number as Rehab will really help with this as well as talking to your Rehab Nurse if you have one
All the negative thoughts you are having that is feeding the anxiety and it is not easy but try and change them when they come to positive ones like you are now on meds to protect you they have looked at your heart and they are the professionals and are quite happy with how things look tell yourself things like that if you can
You are not alone though and you now have somewhere you can come and talk to others that will relate to you x
The biggest help I have found is to learn breathing techniques two years now and when I go outside it hits me but by using breathing techniques I came right down and focus on the day good luck
Its a really tough time. The trauma of having a heart attack can linger as it takes time to come to terms with it. You will emerge!
As others have said, rehab can be a wonderful, safe, supported and companionable way to make that progress. I hope you get offered it.
Good morning. Yes, it's completely normal to feel anxious afterwards. I kept a hospital bag packed for weeks after the event - just in case. Every twitch and twinge was a cause for concern because I didn't know if it was normal or not. However, in my case, the anxiety passed. I do think about the heart attack but only in a practical way concerning exercise and diet but non of it with the previous fear. Give yourself time, you've had a major shock, take care of your health and do things - hobbies, activities- which give you something to concentrate on.
Thank you so much everyone for your replies, it is so helpful to hear from other people who have had similar experiences. And gives me a real sense of hope that I will find my way through these difficult early stages. Thank you.
Hi Oli. Welcome to the group. Yes the mental side of it is really difficult and stays with you, although it eases with time. My STEMI was over 2 years ago but I still find some days more difficult than others. Physically you’ve been fixed but you think the why me, what can I and can’t I do normally now etc. You’ve had a major event happen only recently so you still need to process it in your own time and adapt as best as you can. You’re certainly not alone on your journey either.
hi
I’d echo every one’s replies here. I had a stemi 8 months ago. I was told the mental side of recovery was the hardest and boy were they right.
I’ve really struggled with all the medication and various side effects which includes terrible brain fog and severe tinnitus.
Cardiac rehab was great for me as they really pushed me giving me the confidence to start training again. I’ve just come back from 2 weeks mountain biking in Greece.
I also found the talking therapies service really helpful as they introduced me to progressive muscle relaxation
It’s taken me far longer than I thought it would to recover but I’ve learned that you have to go at your own pace and everything is trial error and time.
Best wishes
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