Had NSTEMI mini heart attack at weekend that I thought was reflux, trying to get my head around everything. Diagnosis has me absolutely floored. Struggling to be honest. 45 years young, 3 young kids, for now medical intervention so no stents….. previously fit and healthy (or so I thought), ran 3 times a week 5k’s under 25 mins, gaps in family history due to being adopted.
Seeking reassurance that this gets easier, as right now I’m completely overwhelmed, terrified and very emotional. Have no idea what’s happening to my body, strange sensations from the drugs and what they’re doing and just generally exhausted mentally and physically.
S.
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stavroski78
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I'm 53, excercised for many years, could do with losing a few pounds , ate meat once a week, walked up and down a mountain this year, thought I was taking care of myself for my wife and young daughter and then a heart attack out of the blue 4 weeks ago.
A few days after the event I was confused, had many questions, thoughts about my mortality, my family, the lifetime of medication, would I be a weaker person going forwards, would I be able to cope, I was in a low place.
This forum and the British Heart Foundation helpline has been invaluable in giving me the support I need and the answers to all the questions buzzing around in my head. Please use this place it helps you heal.
4 weeks on, I'm now used to the idea of medication, I did a 2 mile walk today, I drove 1 mile to Tesco, I did the school run, made my daughters lunch and cooked dinner tonight.
It will get better, trust me it will and the BHF helpline and the people here will share their experiences to make you feel better.
I had a similar Nstemi in July . I came out of a yoga class and felt strange , my wife and I put it down to not eating a breakfast… drove home , had a brunch , still felt estrange then had what I thought was painful trapped wind. My wife called 111 for advice , they sent an ambulance , medics checked my heart on ECG, all fine. Medics insisted that I should go into hospital with them to get a blood test as that was only way to confirm any cardiac event. I agreed to go to get it all sorted. I was fit , strong 61 years old , weight training , physical work , lifetime of sports (ran marathons , county rugby, squash, swimming, cycling club etc) . I was still in vest , shorts , sliders . Got ambulanced to A& E , blood test , drip , resting heart rate below 50 do it kept setting off the alarm 🤦🏼. Then booted into corridor of doom in A& E waiting on results. That was 13:00.. another blood test at 18:00. I wanted to go home, my wife wouldn’t let me , 23:00 a Doc calls us into a room. He looked at me and said “ your first test was inconclusive, 74 you’re second troponin count was 402, you’ve had a heart attack , I thought I was sending you home , look at you ! You don’t look like a cardiac patient!”
We we all so shocked ! I was kept on HDU overnight and had angiogram next day that identified 3 blocked arteries, no stenting possible. I ended up being transferred to St Thomas’ for quadruple bypass on the 25th July . I’m making a remarkable recovery and rehab. I did the level 3 nhs 6 week rehab course that was underwhelming, far too easy s as nd didn’t live up to the tailored to the individual label. I stuck with it and went at my pace for a lot of the exercises, got told off by the physios , even though I was well within my perceived level of exertion. Couldn’t wait to get that program out of the way. Now training with a great cardiac rehab coach online. Mark Campbell, Clinical Exercise Services . Specialist in cardiac rehab resistance training , teaches NHS staff. He’s got me back to lifting weights and running. I did my first 5k runs (jogs) last week. First in years 🙌🎉🤣. He’s worth looking up, a great guy , knows his stuff obviously, always open to answering questions from anyone and giving plenty of free advice and guidance. He’s on Instagram Fb as clinical exercise services and Google him, written a few papers.
If I can do what I’m doing aged 61 post 4xCABG then I see no reason why you can’t get back to something near your previous activity. I appreciate that we are all different due to our cardiac events and how our bodies respond to that and the meds . I’m sure with some oversight/appropriate coaching you will be back. Have a listen to Roger Blacks podcast interview on the BHF podcast Ticker Tapes , incredible how he ran , often against medical advice but had a fantastic running career. Also the Graeme Souness podcast, shows that we can be extremely fit but carry a serious underlying heart issue !
Drugs .. I was initially on 3.75mg bisoprolol, that really spaced me out! Had it reduced to 1.25, also on half a tablet of 1.25 Rampiril, clopidogrel and aspirin . Feel much better now . Pantaprazole before breakfast and artovastatin at night. Some of these are for life , others will drop out after a year .
If you are on Instagram I would love to share your rehab /journey back to fitness. I post my training band daily activity hoping to show that we can still be active , adapt when needed and crack on! Wizza2018
Sorry for what’s happened to you. I cast my mind back to eight weeks ago when I felt the same. I thought it was heartburn. Such a shock but my dad had heart attack around the same age. Stent put in next morning. I was miles away from home but care was amazing in hospital. Anyway eight weeks on, my body has got used to the meds, I’m doing as I’m told, attending cardiac rehab which is great. Was advised by someone who had the same five years ago to be positive, you’re being monitored now, take up all the help there is out there (and there is a lot), take the meds and you’ll be fine. 😀
This must come as a shock and I completely relate to your experience, which was similar to mine.
My initial reaction was denial but over time it does get easier and I came to the realisation that I was fortunate it happened as it did and the meds prescribed before something more serious occurred.
It does get better and the rehabilitation programme is well worth attending.
Thanks everyone for the replies! It’s been a huge wake-up call if I’m honest. I’m lucky in that on discharge I’ve got no visible damage to the heart muscle. I think it’s obviously a combination of years of bad diet choices, unknown hereditary factors (adopted, only partial history), and massive stress factors from work life plus balancing with the kids. Our kids are 8,5 and 2 and we get very little help as my parents are older and ill themselves so not really able to assist much. I’ll never forget one of the dr’s saying he would expect this in a 75 year old, not someone my age…
I’m hoping that by making lifestyle changes (diet / career) I can function normally and keep this thing at bay and live a long life. When I get a target to aim for I’m obsessive and will rise to do all I can.
One thing I’ve noticed is that so far I do get occasional tiny twinges, which I did mention before discharge, but they checked and everything seemed fine, however since the beta blockers and ace inhibitors have kicked in I’ve noticed that when moving around my muscles seem to tire quickly (like when climbing stairs, even noticed it in my jaw today getting tired when chewing on an apple). Does all of this settle down? I’m hyper aware of every little thing at the minute and over analysing I suppose.
Hi there I can't top the advice given- it does take time to adjust and your body needs time to get used to the new medications prescribed. This forum has helped me come to terms with my own experience. I don't have much to contribute to a lot of the posts so I guess you would consider me more as an observer. However, that is OK. I have learned a lot and what I don't understand I do research. What I haven't come across though is a 'mini heart attack'. Was this a term your Cardiologist used?Have a lovely time over the festive period.
Hi Loobycare, I had an NSTEMI but nothing to the point that I was keeled over with the pain…. Can’t remember if it was one of the dr’s or nurses who said this - it’s been a bit of a blur to be honest with the sheer amount of people I’ve seen over the past few days.
Grateful to be back at home with everyone, and will make it the best Christmas ever as we’re all together. Have a wonderful time yourself!
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Happy Christmas - 6th January 
Late Happy Christmas
This is what happens post ICD Happy Christmas all
A stent for Christmas!
