Why am I made to feel a fraud.

[Nunk]

Hello everyone, I 59 and I had an heart attack 8 weeks ago due mainly to high cholesterol and stress at work. I had 3 stents fitted and it was the most worrying thing I’ve ever had to deal with in my life. I’m now back at work on shorter hours and just doing office work. I’m not doing my normal job because it involves heavy lifting and a lot of strenuous work. This is partly because I don’t feel I’m capable of doing it and I’m scared incase anything happens to me. Now I’m getting vibes that I’m playing on it and it’s starting to affect my mental health which hasn’t been strong for many years. Is what I’ve had a big life changing event or should I now be carrying on as normal?

[Hidden]

hi have you had an occupational assessment at work plus letters from doctors that support your capability at present?

This is a big life changing event and life will be different to pre heart attack (or a diagnosis of a heart or other health issue) and it is a lot to cope with.

Some support with mental health may help regards the anxiety (totally natural) you are feeling.

Work wise there needs to be formal assessment then it doesn’t matter what people may think (I’m sure people who don’t go through this process themselves or don’t know someone who has ever fully understand partly because these are invisible health issues), it’s what has been assessed and stated that matters.

on a positive you’ve had stents and hopefully in time you’ll be back to a good level of capability. But the anxiety side can’t be underestimated as affects people significantly per people who have posted on here.

Yes it is a big life changing event, but you have a new normal now.

Good luck👍

[Nunk in reply to Hidden]

Thank you, that helps and means a lot to me.

[Blackcatsooty]

Dear Nunk

I have heard others say they feel like a fraud. I did not get this myself, but I can understand your concern. Eight weeks is not enough time to achieve best recovery. You must continue to take things slowly and let your heart recover as best it can.

I took about 12 weeks to recover, but I felt really wonderful after that recovery period. That’s when I got my life back. I try not to mention my operation because others get bored hearing it, but come on this site and we all understand.

So hang on for another few weeks and you will be stronger.

Best wishes

Sooty

[Nunk in reply to Blackcatsooty]

Thank you Sooty.

[Nunk]

Thank you, that means a lot to me.

[Lowerfield_no_more]

Your situation is covered by the Equalities Act 2010 which is to help prevent discrimination in the workplace which says an employer must take reasonable steps to find alternative roles for an employee when they are disadvantaged by a change in circumstances like the onset of an illness. There is no precise definition of reasonable and some employers may be able to find alternatives say in large company, others may not.. In this case your employer has apparently met his obligations under the Act so far by finding you something else to do, but is apparently taking the view that they need clarification on your fitness to work. If you feel you are not fully fit you need to demonstrate that by means of a proper formal assesment which will give you and your employer clear understanding of where you are. Hidden has mentioned an occupational assessment which may be organised by your employer but if that is not available you should go back to your GP and discuss your situation who may be able to provide you with a letter or similar you that helps you and your employer. Finally if you are in a union it might help to involve your union rep in any discussion with your employer, certainly at any formal meeting.

[Nunk in reply to Lowerfield_no_more]

Thank you Lowerfield that’s really helpful.