Recent heart attack

[suew395]

Hello, I had a heart attack at the end of October, didn’t know I had one, thought I had pulled a muscle in my back, was to.d that was probably the heart attack, had angiogram and arteries clear, had MRIs and ECGs and nothing untoward it seems, although they do t seem to tell you much. I am on medication but nobody has really told me what to do going forward, regards diet, exercise, lifestyle etc……has anyone else found this?

[ChoochSiesta]

I had similar in 2014. They could see narrowing in 3 arteries but just put me on Meds. In 2021 I didn't feel right when exercising so got a referral to a cardiologist. MRI scan showed bypass needed which was done in early 2022. The advice I keep hearing is "listen to your body". If something feels wrong see your GP.

[Milkfairy Heart Star]

Hello,

I am sorry to hear you have had a heart attack.

It can be bewildering experiencing a heart attack more so if there is uncertainty about why it occurred.

It can take time to come to terms with.

I was admitted to hospital 11 years ago with a suspected heart attack. I was incorrectly at the time that it wasn't to have angina or a heart attack if you have unblocked coronary arteries.

About 10% of heart attacks occur without any permanent blockages of the coronary arteries.

Myocardial infarction non obstructive coronary arteries, MINOCA.

Possible causes are microvascular dysfunction, coronary vasospasms, spontaneous coronary artery dissection, or an artery being blocked by a piece of plaque or blood clot.

Have your Cardiology team been able to explain why they thought you had your heart attack?

It's important so you can be offered the appropriate treatment.

I suggest you ask your Cardiology team what they believe is the cause of your heart attack.

Have the cardiac rehab team been in contact with you?

They are invaluable in providing information about exercise and the lifestyle changes we need to adopt as heart patients. As well as providing psychological support.

Perhaps give the BHF helpline a call?

bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...

I was offered further testing and I am under close supervision of a Cardiologist.

I live with coronary vasospasms which causes vasospastic angina.

[Lowerfield_no_more]

+ 1 on the advice Milkfairy has given above.

In particular chase up your hospital cardio team medical secretary to find out if and when you will be offered a place on a cardio rehab course, and perhaps have a chat with the BHF heart helpline nurse who will be able to give you a professional view on your circumstances.

[AAJJTt]

Hi, I have been in a similar position too, a heart attack (NSTEMI type II) . I was actually indoor climbing at the time and having completed a strenuous route, I had a pain in the middle of my back, between the shoulder blades. Initially I shrugged this off, assuming I’d picked up an injury. I am also 6ft 4 and have been use to periods of back pain throughout my life. It was only on my drive home I recognised what was happening, I started to get a strong dull ache in my left arm, which migrated under my left jaw.

The ECG and trop assay confirmed it was a heart attack, culminating in an angiogram; which was less conclusive and required no interventions. I had no significant issues with my arteries and there was no sign of any thrombosis. I was discharged with medication and exercise/cardio rehab.

It was only after some more symptoms and investigations that I had my introduction to Afib (paroxysmal); the eventual conclusion being the untreated and undiagnosed arrhythmia caused a small transient clot that entered my heart. Prior to this, I was totally oblivious.

I am pleased to say, this is now nearly 5 years ago, my arrhythmia is stable and well controlled by some low dose anti arrhythmia medication (Flecainide). I have currently been ‘Afib free’, no episodes, for 3+ years. Post heart attack, after an Echo, I was left with slight left ventricle dysfunction as well but this has gone and my heart is ‘structurally normal’ again. I honestly feel that I don’t have any limitations at the moment - I regularly run, climb, cycle and travel.

I’m not saying it was all easy though, there was some rocky times, but I do feel I have been lucky in my situation and was determined this wasn’t going to define the rest of my life. I made all necessary life style changes, medication compliant and worked with my cardiologist/GP to find a solution for me.

Regards

A

[AAJJTt in reply to AAJJTt]

In response to ‘Lowerfield_no_more’ s reply, I totally agree about cardio rehab, I found this invaluable. I attribute a lot of my recovery and current position to the rehab program. I’d recommend anyone to give it a try. I still regularly attend the gym sessions in my area.

[andrew290171]

Totally agree sue no one tells you anything or talks to you about anything.

[Survivor1952]

Physical rehab has been a big part of my recovery. A great and very supportive team who allowed me to develop outside the programme and agreed to my having a go at C25k. That culminated in my having a go at my local parkrun 3 months after both my operations (PCI x 2 then OHS for AVR and CABG). Still doing parkruns and still rocking in PB times. Now 6 minutes faster in 9 runs. I've never been one for running and the only exercise I took seriously was 30 years ago when I was doing a lot of cycling to keep fit.

I too had a silent HA, we have narrowed it down to 8hrs or so before an Echocardiogram that had been booked following an A&E visit 7 months before. No idea at all that I had been afflicted. I was in hospital for 5 weeks after the echo.

My surgeon, when I was discharged from his care, told me to go and lead a normal life with no restrictions.

[Healing_Heart]

Hi, I am in exactly the same situation and feeling confused. I thought I’d had acid reflux followed by chest pain and today I was told I had a “small” HA. I have a healthy lifestyle and don’t understand at all 😒. Didn’t get any info either.