I had a stemi attack 5 weeks ago. 4 stents fitted three weeks ago. I thought I had indigestion /fluso never went doctors for few days after gp blood test I was sent an ambulance to my home a few hours later. At 50 years old it turned my world upside down. I am thankful to all the amazing staff for ultimately saving my life but now 5 weeks after I am feeling such dread about future and scared of having another I may not survive. I keep trying to be positive but the feeling of dread and impending death just won’t go away. Is it normal to feel like this afterwards? I thought I would join and share how I feel hoping others may have experienced the same and maybe offer some advice on how to shake these feelings. I am normally a happy go lucky live in the minute type of guy but this experience has really had major effect on me. Sorry to be so negative on my first post
life after heart attack : I had a stemi... - British Heart Fou...
life after heart attack
Hi there, welcome to the forum. I’m sorry to hear about your recent heart attack.
It is absolutely normal to feel the way you do right now and it is still very early days for you. Many of us have felt exactly the same way as you, but I promise you, it will get easier.
I was 51 when I had a STEMI and like you I initially thought it was a terrible bout of indigestion. How wrong I was! Hopefully you will have been offered cardiac rehabilitation and if you have I would encourage you to go along. I was the youngest at mine, and the only woman so I felt self conscious, but I am glad I went as it helped build my confidence back up. I now walk daily and enjoy exercise.
For me the physical rehabilitation was easier to overcome than the psychological, so I have needed counselling to talk through things.
Ask away with any other questions you have, usually someone will be able to help.
Thanks for taking time to reply. I am starting cardiac rehab tomorrow and I am looking forward to it. I feel talking to other people can only help. I am unsure as to what to expect but know the staff are experts in their field. I couldn’t tell my friends or family without my voice cracking and tears welling up which for a rough tough heating engineer used to banter on daily basis is really world upside down stuff. Do the rehab team give u counselling as standard or do you have to request ?
I found the cardiac rehab team amazing. They really supported me. It was a group exercise class (very easy exercise) plus some education films at the end of each session. I requested counselling and was fast tracked for an assessment with the Psycological and Wellbeing Service, but they couldn’t meet my needs so I ended up finding a private counsellor myself. I hope your first session goes well.
Thank you
my husband had something similar to you. He was 59. But guess what? He’s 81 now. He followed the cardiac rehab. No probs since other than re-stenting after six years. This is going to be YOU in 20 years -:healthy and happy!
Thanks for replying. I hope it is and I am glad your husband is doing well❤️🩹
Hi 4stentetemi, and welcome to the one club we'd rather not be a member of. It is completely normal, the fear of death and impending doom is very real and common, it will diminish.
I can say though, 21 months on from my stemi (7 stents, 2 in RCA and 5 in LAD) it really does get easier to live with. It is a long journey and there will be ups and downs. EU95PTM is absolutely right and gives excellent advice. I can say for me, the cardiac rehab has been a life saver (not sure if there is a pun there?), the opportunity to mix with fellow hearties, (you don't need to share your story if you don't feel able to), but the common understanding and the camaraderie is both comforting & reassuring.
I don't know your circumstances, but if you smoke - quit, if your diet is poor - change it, and if you're overweight, then get on losing i, the change in diet will help with two right off the bat! I say this because I've done it, well two anyway (don't smoke), I'm not going to say it's easy, long established behaviours are never easy to change. The rehab will allow you to do more than you think is possible, in a safe controlled environment. I was so fearful at the start, I wasn't even sure I could walk to the class, let alone exercise, & if I did, would I be able to get back? I now regularly attend Parkrun, never did that before...I still go to a follow on cardiac exercise class and am back full time working after 5 months off and a 6 week return to work schedule. Try to tell your partner how you are feeling, loved ones will be fearful about saying/doing the wrong thing and you are far stronger than you think, they'll need to know this, it'll help you all.
I've gone on far longer than I intended (sorry), you're on the mend, hopefully already passed the low point and on your way, who cares if it takes a little longer, I still wake every morning with a smile, could have been quite different.
Good luck and a parting motto...you don't know until you know & if you don't try you'll never know, all the best 👍
Cruiser25 thank you for your kind words and a little helping of humour😀 I am starting to realise and I know it must seem silly but that I’m not the only one and others in same boat (fellow hearties)are living happy lives. I have stopped smoking and am trying to improve my diet which I now in hindsight can see was shockingly poor. A blaze approach to the worst foods out there and an extremely sweet tooth . I am not overweight possibly due to very physical work and don’t drink But thanks for taking the time to reply. I really appreciate
Sorry for the delayed reply, signed off for an early night and at work all day today...how normal that sounds, there was a time when I couldn't see further than the next couple of hours! 😱 I also, like you am in a physical job, and this, for both of us probably delayed the inevitable. Good fitness, I have found is quite different from good health, just didn't know that until after the metalwork was put in 🤪This forum with all the brill members has helped me more than I can ever repay, a thank you seems so inadequate, but nearly two years on, thank you all.
Good luck and enjoy the rehab, really good people there as well.
👍 😀I like your sense of humour cruiser25 made me chuckle
I'm normally a positive type of person who tends to look at the positive side of things.
When I came home after 10 nights in hospital following my heart attack and angioplasty I felt pretty good about things until it came to bedtime.
I got into bed, turned the light out and suddenly the demons came..."what if it happens again".....it really panicked me.
I sat in the lounge and thought about my situation, me heart had just had a brilliant service and MOT and it was in better shape than it has been for years....why should I be worried.
I focused on the positive whenever the demons reared their ugly heads....they soon went.
My rehab really boosted my confidence and after a month or two the demons disappeared never to reappear.
Bridboy that’s exactly how I am feeling. I’ve never suffered from anxiety or panic attacks but it can feel overwhelming. I am truly humbled that yourself and others haven taken the time to reply to me so thank you
Hi, based on my own experience and what others have said what you are going through is perfectly normal. I'm coming up to 1 yr since my nstemi and it's been quiye a year. When I first came out of hospital I had to sleep with a light on and the radio playing to keep the demons away. Going to rehab really helped as they understood the emotional turmoil many of us go through, they mentioned PTSD, and really helped build confidence. Everything was going well until around June when I had another blip resulting in increased anxiety and another angiogram. Physically I'm OK but struggling a bit emotionally so am back at rehab to help "rebuild my confidence". I'm also have monthly sessions with MIND, referred by GP, where we talk through my fears and set goals. Talking really does help, not only with MIND but also with others I meet at rehab who have the same/similar fears as me. We are all different and our roads to recovery wont exactly match but with support we can get there. My new buddy, we met in hospital, are due to have an anniversary curry this week. We probably wont talk much about our HAs, we seldom do, but will spend the evening talking b****x, as men do, and having a good old giggle. Take care and best of luck with your recovery.
Hi, sorry to hear you are going through this. My husband 55 had NStemi and stent 13 weeks ago- he was the same in the early weeks, the rehab nurse specialist really helped. He has now got settled into his tablets and thinking about returning to work - he is also an engineer so quite a physical job. With the right support you will be ok - what I’m trying to say is what you are experiencing is completely normal but from our experiences it will get better. Good luck with the rehab.
Hi , l had a Stemi in May and one stent, mine was at Heathrow airport just before a flight to Rome and like you it felt just like indigestion but quickly got worse.
I just wanted to tell you when l first came home my life was taken over with worry and l couldn’t stop crying thinking the worst would happen again, l promise you as the weeks go by and by doing all the the things they tell you to you will be back to yourself in no time.
Last week l had my appointment to see the cardiologist and he told me l was doing really well and told me to go and get on with my life , l hope this helps you x
Hi there,
Yes - same story, three days drinking gaviscon while actually suffering from a totally blocked cardiac artery. Fouteen months post STEMI and life is the same as it was before the HA, bar however the drugs and getting a tad breathless on doing inclines.
What you are feeling is completely normal. We all ponder what our futures will be after a heart attack. You now however are in the know about your cardiac disease (unlike many out there) and are therefore one step further to prevent another one. You are on drugs that will both protect and make you heart work the best that it can, better than maybe before even. Tell your story to whomever will listen, it might save a life. Knowledge is power.
What kept me going was my cardiac nurse friend telling me many HA victims go on to run marathons and not everyone needs restenting. Two friends have relatives who are twenty years post stent. I think of them often.
Wishing you a speedy recovery back to health on your journey to normality, It’s a step by step process for sure.
I hope your first cardio rehab session goes well today. You should hopefully be reassured about your situation by talking things through with the team who manage the courses and perhaps other participants who have also survived a heart attack. You are now on the road to recovering from any physical damage the heart attack has caused to your body. As for the long term it might seem odd but you are in a better place than prior to your attack, since your heart health risks have been reduced by the stents, medication, and any lifestyle changes you are already undertaking and any more you discover on the rehab course. So be positive about the future and be assured there are many many people who have suffered the same as yourself and live to be a grand old age. 👍
I’d echo everything already said in these replies. I’m 64 always been fit and well exercising regularly, never smoked and eat a healthy diet. Had a stemi 10 months ago. As you so rightly say your world is turned on its head. Physically I’ve recovered well. Back in the gym doing what I’ve always done and had 2 weeks mountain biking in Greece in September. Mentally it’s been and still is a massive struggle. I’ve suffered terrible brain fog ever since that I thought must be something sinister. I’m rapidly coming to the conclusion it’s not and it’s all stress, medication and depression related. Take all the help and advice offered to deal with this. Cardiac rehab is great and you’ll find the staff a huge help. Talking therapies, social prescribers, your gp but most importantly don’t do what I have done and lock yourself away from the world. Get back in the game and enjoy life once more.
Best wishes on your recovery journey 👍
Understand exactly how you’re feeling - I’m now nearly 2 years on from mine and your confidence in your Heart comes back - take things easy to start with but build up slowly with exercise - listen to your body and stop if you’re feeling unsure, rest and start again the day after - best of luck!!
Hi 4stentsemi That was similar for me back in 2019 but then when you think about it we’re the lucky ones, we’re here and can enjoy everyday and every occasion make the most👍
I had the same “indigestion “ as many on here and blue lighted to Leeds Hospital with HA and a stent fitted to my circumflex artery.That was 13 months ago and the cardio rehab sessions after were most helpful as you found others having the same story to tell.It is normal to be anxious and if you use Dr Google things will go from bad to worse (not that you have).I smoked 40 a day and wasn’t particularly active but stopped smoking immediately and got an excercise bike that I spend 1 hr per day increasing my heart rate to within recommended limits.This forum is brilliant and also the British Heart Foundation app is excellent and gives access to cardio nurses by email,phone etc and from experience I can certainly advise you to join that as well.I wish you well
I am 55 and had the same type of heart attack and 4 stents after two procedures. I too felt very anxious and I went to bed wandering if I would wake up the next day for several weeks. I got myself up and about very quickly and made my mind up I needed to be positive and do all I could to give me the best chance. I have today just come back from my final cardiac rehab assessment. I attended each week, set myself walking goals and have smashed them, I changed my diet and have had some positive movements in my cholesterol levels. I truly think keeping focused on these goals has helped my mental state. I am due back to work next week but have heard nothing back from my employer as regards to returning and I know that will create a whole load of stress and am nit sure how I will cope.
You will see that we are all pretty much saying the same thing that your feelings are perfectly normal, we just all deal with them differently.
Good luck with your recovery, you got this.
YOur reaction is completely normal. We are suddenly faced with the knowledge that we are not immortal and it's a huge, huge shock. If you get offered rehab ( YOu should) do go. Just doing exercise while being supervised is the best way of improving your confidence. In time you will look on it just as a warning so that you can change any lifestyle that needs to be changed and with those changes and medication, you can extend your lifespan. If you find you're still not coping, ask about counselling. It takes time but you will get there.
Your story is the similar to mine. I was 51 and had a STEMI and 2 stents fitted last year.I am happy it was treated and I am still alive but I am also struggling to come to terms with it.I have had several panic attacks since and very had them before. Its over a year on and fell a little easier and its always in the back of my mind will it happen again especially during exercise. I suspose time will tell and a few people have said it will take a while. The rehabilitation defentally helps and gives you that encouragement to excersive and fell safe.I hope you fell better soon.
Hi 4stentstemi, I think it has all been said in the previous replies but I wish you well in your recovery. I hope you find the Cardiac Rehabilitation sessions helpful and encouraging, I know that I do. It feels like an absolute gift when we consider how much the NHS is struggling, and it always amazes me that not everyone takes full advantage of what is on offer. My cardiac nurse opted to work in this field because it enables her to have time to listen and talk to those of us using the service. Time is something that is in very short supply elsewhere. It’s great to be able to have a proper dialogue with someone with a medical background who understands your situation and who will research your questions if she doesn’t have all the answers. Good luck with it all.
Yes it is normal, at least it has been for me. Had mine at 54 and 4 stents put in. Now it’s 2 years on. I have lengthy periods of time when I feel good but periodically have instances where I ‘think’ it’s kicking off again. Anxiety has been a fairly constant companion and I’ve had nights of no-sleep. Have called out 999 a couple of times because of concerns and wouldn’t be hesitant on doing it if you think it’s needed. You’re certainly not alone. All the best.
Hi so sorry to hear about your heart attack.I also had a STEMI whilst working out in the gym, last November at the age of 56, always been fitness mad, but not quite the advert they may have wanted, blue lighted straight to hospital and stented immediately. My initial response was what happened but I’m sorted, but have some extra heart disease, given a cocktail of meds. For the first few weeks I was doing well, but then suddenly it hit home what had happened and struggled sleeping, became quite low, impending doom, not something I am prone too, but started rehabilitation and my confidence lifted, and I faced the demon of returning to the gym ,starting small runs out, my spirit lifted. It takes time, and it’s not always straight forward, but don’t bottle up how you feel talk, everyone is here to listen and support. Hope you feel better soon.
Hi may I say you are certainly not being negative what you have been through is major.
I was the same Feb 2022 age 59 my world was turned upside down, I also thought I had indigestion and got up about 3am to take a gaviscon went back to bed couldn’t settle and got up to take a second one,
My husband said I looked poorly and that’s when we called 111 everything happened so quickly after that blue lighted to hospital straight to resuss then into theatres to have a stent, they couldn’t fit a stent both my husband and son were allowed a visit then I was taken to theatres this time for a bypass,
I really struggled like you I was always frightened I found I cried a lot.
Please speak with the heart nurses and your doctor ask to speak to someone go and do your rehab exercises this will help, I started to see a psychologist and she helped me through for the first 4 months I struggled to string a sentence without tears, but she taught me coping mechanisms and without them I dread to think where I would be.i don’t sleep well and either I wake every night sometimes I do get back to sleep other times I don’t, and I get tired earlier in the evening now things are so different, I was cleared earlier in the year, I still get frightened sometimes and hey that’s ok,
This is now the new me and I am so so glad I got a second chance.
Please speak to a health professional about how you feel.
If you ever need to talk send a message.
I had a similar experience, no warning, just started feeling unwell at the start of October, 999 call and twenty minutes later being told I was having a heart attack ! Ended up staying in hospital for 10 days & then triple bypass surgery. Have had the same feelings about the “what if’s”… it does get better as time goes by. My operation was 12 weeks today, have my 2nd Rehab session tomorrow, which will definitely help your mindset. I have had trouble sleeping for the whole time, wake up every 2-3 hrs every night, Rehab team organised Talking Therapy support, so I would ask for that too. Has been a help so far, encouraging ideas to help me sort the sleep pattern out. I have found that filling your time during the day helps & as others have said, talk to your loved ones about your feelings.
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