hi - I had a heart attack and stent fitted last week. The NHS hospital experience was excellent but I have so many questions and paranoid it might happen again and I might not be so lucky next time.
The hospital said they would offer me a rehab programme and therapy but not sure when that offer will come through. My GP actually said I was “catastrophising” when I went to see him 5 days after surgery to ask some questions, so have no faith with my practice.
I now have a huge bag of meds to take (which is mildly depressing) and all any one asks me is “why did this happen to you?” I am 53 female and I just want to make sure I eat correctly and exercise so that this does not happen again. I also am worried as I was borderline diabetic of becoming diabetic now.
anyone been through this? I could really do with an exercise plan and diet plan to stick to as my brain can’t really cope with much and it would be easier to just follow a plan.
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I think most people here have been through the same feeling initially but don't worry it goes away quickly. Whilst I see what your GP is saying he could have said it in a better way. Rehab normally takes a month to come through, in my case 15yrs back it was basically a low level HIT class.
I like to look on the positive side, if it was just 1 stent that's good we have people on here that had multiple stents and live a normal life for years. The other thing is you are now on the radar, you will get regular check-up's, suddenly you're in a better spot than those who know nothing.
And just FYI I had my MI at 46, checks showed valve issues in my case but since then I haven't had an issue related to the initial heart attack and for 14 of those years was doing 8-10hrs a week at the gym. After surgery i'm heading back there.
So just live life you will probably never end up in there again
I am sorry to hear about you having a heart attack which resulted in having a stent
I had to have a triple Bypass after mine and it is so daunting and yes the bag of medications you feel you just want to cry knowing you now have to take all these but some eventually you might be able to come of some you no doubt will be on them for life but if they keep your heart in a good condition then it is a small price to pay and you eventually do get used to it this is all new at the moment
When people are or think they are fit and healthy looked after themselves it seems so unfair this happens to them but sometimes it does and maybe when you get a follow up with your Consultant you can start making a list of all these questions you would like answered it maybe just one of those things and they don't know why but the did catch you and that stent will be keeping the blood flowing nicely around your heart now as well as the medications doing their job to so you are in a way in a better place than you were before this happened
The fact that you looked after yourself before you had a heart attack will still play a big part in how well you recover as well as continuing to look after yourself they are all positives
You are lucky to be offered therapy at some stage not all offer this and I would accept it as well as Rehab to as that will benefit you so much
You only had your heart attack last week so it will be a few weeks before anyone contacts you about Rehab possibly but if you were given contact numbers for the Rehab Nurses which usually they do you can always phone them with any questions including when you could expect to start Rehab
You can go for short walks to start with and build yourself up from there your body will tell you when it needs to rest
Try and cut out sugars they are hidden in so many things like white rice etc processed foods are not good for us
Lean chicken , fish , vegetables , salads , stir fries are all good for you and there are so many things you can make , I will put you a link that will take you to the BHF heart eating page which I hope might help
How you are feeling right now is really common but it will get better in time and the fear you are feeling will get less until you are just enjoying life as you were before x
Thanks for the reply. So much going on in my mind, was keen to find people in similar situations - been there and still wearing the t shirt alive and happy.
So sorry you are feeling like this but please rest assured you are not alone. I was 54 when I got hit with a STEMI out of the blue, the first few weeks were terrifying and at the time we were on 6 week waits for GP appts! I was scared to leave the house, scared to be alone in the house and yet wasn’t ready to give up. I think it was 2-3 weeks after discharge that I realised I was going to be as neurotic as my Mum if I let this beat me. You will no doubt have been told the sack full of meds are going yo be part of your life going forward which is depressing enough without h you feeling as though you have been hit by a truck. Make use of the information on the BHF website, slowly make small changes to your lifestyle and take gentle walks or yoga. No one expects you to run a marathon or jump into spin class, even a walk yo the end of the street and back will make you feel physically and emotionally stronger xx
I hax a heart attack in Aug last year. The angioplasty showed a blockage and they cleared it. I didn't have a stent as the arteries were too small. All done and on the ward in less than an hour of calling the ambulance. Fantastic of the NHS!
There are 4 phases of rehab. Phase 1 is the immediate action at the hospital. Phase 2 is convelescence at home. Phase 3 is a structured and monitored group excercise at a rehab clinic which can be weekly for up to 12 weeks or so. Phase 4 is more self involvement and you can be referred to a gym with a initial assessment and you book classes as you wish.
I suspect you are now at Phase 2. If you have been referred to a rehab clinic it can take 4 to 6 weeks before starting depending on how busy they are.
The Phase 3 rehab is great. You are with others in the same situation as you, you are monitored before, during, and after the excercise by a team of rehab nurses.
A large factor for me and many others is both confidence and mental. I was scared at first then after a few weeks with rehab I adjusted to better state of mind and health.
I suggest you follow up with the hospital and find out about your referral to rehab. In the meantime take it easy, gain some strength. You will feel better soon.
As for the meds, you'll get used to the rattle and rolling. Take them, they're good for you.
Sorry to hear the news, 53 is very young. Cycling is a good way to keep fit, if you concerned about safety seek out dedicated cycle paths. Dieting needn't be complicated, reduce fats, salt and simple carbon products. Avoid anything that is processed, even cooking sauces like Dolmio look healthy but they have too much salt. Eliminating meat 3 or 4 days a week and getting use to smaller portions would help you maintain a healthy diet.
I too am prediabetic and I go to NHS classes to encourage me to eat healthy and exercise sensibly. The courses are under the name XYLA. Your surgery can direct you to these.
Until your heart rehab arrives the prediabetic course is a good starting point.
I recovered very well from open heart surgery so I am surprised that I am now prediabetic . But I am determined not to get full blown diabetic.
I think our rehab is a slow procedure. Steady but slow. I have changed my breakfasts (porridge 4 times a week) and working at revised meals. Nothing dramatic, just a slow permanent change.
And reasonable exercise. My large garden helps me with that !
I was stunned that my BMi was not perfect. It does provide a good marker to achieve good BMi.
I think I might have over rewarded myself for getting over OHS. So now I am edging diet and exercise.
The multiple medication is a bit overwhelming. I try to think in terms of the medication is due to my health imperfections, not the other way round.
You are on the young side for heart issues. But follow the health professionals advice and you can look forward to a good later life.
hi I too had HA but in Spain. Went to A&E the next morning and they put a stent in and gave me 5 loads of medicines. When I got home I changed my life style. I am now mostly vegan and walk every day. So you need a plan. See your cardiologist and ask what you should do, also see your local pharmacologist. They are experts in drugs doctors only give what’s recommended by procedure. Get your weight normal and get 2 blood tests a year to keep on top of your cholesterol. If you need to go to A&A then go.
You really need to be proactive you are alive, things have changed and are lucky to be alive, don’t read about life expectancy as long as you keep on top of your condition you should lead a good life. Be positive maybe change job if it stresses you out. Good luck
Its often a huge shock, but the rehab should give you a great start, learning more about why it happened to you, and getting a positive approach to the future. Our trainers were lovely, very well-informed, kept a good eye on each of us.
If you have a chance, you might also think about trying the pre-diabetic course. I thought I was well informed….but turned out, I wasn't! Best thing was finding ways to really effect your own health. Im now well out of the pre-diabetic zone.
It sucks having a heart attack, unfortunately these things happen. I'm 53 led a healthy active lifestyle then wham had a HA in November 23.
It does hit us hard, the first month is full of "why?" ,"how" , the routine of taking medicines takes getting used to, the feeling of vulnerability, will this happen again, will it happen if I do something physical, trust me we've been there.
It does get better though, with time it gets better, there will still be times when you worry, this is normal and natural but again with time this becomes less frequent,,less thought invasive.
Take it easy, rest, recover, take your medication, dont Google stuff, ask here, ask the BHF phoneline for any questions and take one day, one week at a time.
But it will get better and wish you a good recovery.
Hi , I really empathise as will many others on here that just didn’t see their heart attack coming . I was fit and strong and mine came on after a yoga class July 13 2023. I thought I had trapped wind , ended up Nstemi heart attack and quadruple bypass on 25th July 2023. A total shock to me , my family and all of my friends who says that I was the last person they’d consider to have a heart attack.
Regarding your doctor , he’s probably right ! We all tend to to look at the worse case scenarios , particularly when we are feeling low est , trying to rationalise everything. I was in hospital processing what I was going through . On the evening of day 2 after my angiogram and being told I needed 4xCABG it was a lot to take in . My family had been to visit me , I was on my own and my the chest pain started to come back . I let the head nurse know it was there , only a 1/10 pain but it got to up to 2 and they called a doctor to the ward. GTN spray and it settled. Doc was trying to make arrangements to get me to StThomas’ from Maidstone as a m urgent case . It settled down and I I just laid there and balled my eyes out to myself. I thought that this was how it was going to end 🤦🏼. My family got the chance to see me , says goodbyes and then I was going to check out in a grey local hospital ward .. I was a snotty mess 🤦🏼.
I did the same the next morning , listened to one of my favourite songs , Screaming Hallelujah by Far From Saints , lyrics really got to me , it’s a belter of a tune and it gave me strength , again I balled my eyes out 🤦🏼
“ A death and reborn.
What was is now gone
The version of you, I knew
Has grown butterfly wings and flown
I don't doubt you
With your heart on the line
Just leave it up to, the universe
I know we'll get there in time“
You’re physical recovery will be fine I’m sure of it , your mental recovery may take a bit longer. I’ve got scars on my chest , arm and legs that remind me every day and a great support network in family friends and particularly this forum !
I’ve made adjustments, only small , to my nutrition. I’ve had to rethink my physical goals from strength focused back to cardio goals . Within 2 months I was working around my farm , was already walking over 5k and was back riding my motorbike and driving . I completed the NHS level 3 cardiac rehab 6 week course ( it was way too easy) . I had meds tweaked as I was feeling zombied on the Bisoprolol. ( bisoprolol now 1.25, armpit half a 1.25 tablet , clopidogrel, aspirin, pantaprazole.. just trialling the stopping of arvovastatin for a month under GP guidance ). In 4 months I was back to supervised weight training , started running with aim of 5k, back to yoga classes using regression moves into poses. I ran 5k before Christmas . In January I ran my first park run with my eldest daughter , it was a goal I set with my cardiac rehab coach to run with my daughters ! 🙌🏻. I it was a 5k pb and I ran another PB yesterday with her 33mins 👍🏻.
You will be researching everything, trying to make sense of it all , finding out what is the best preventative course . I found it’s just like following a recipe in the beginning. Learn where you are , accept the situation and get on with the process . In hospital during the first couple of days the medics would ask “ do you understand what’s happening?” My answer “ I understand exactly what’s happening , Nstemi heart attack , angiogram shows 3 blockages , no stents , I need CABG , I will be transferred to St Thomas’s as urgent . What I don’t understand is how it happened !”
I keep reflecting on that one .
I wish you a fantastic rehab and don’t hesitate to reach out on here for support /questions . 👊🏻❤️
Just saw @Capmany108 post and wanted to tag you in ?
You made me smile - like you the shock and medical reasons for having a heart attack are clear, but you still don’t know ‘why’ and everyone around me means well, but gosh they generally also just keep asking me why.
I was 40 when mine happened. I'm just over a year on and I've definitely had ups and downs, but forums like this are great for reassurance. Equally, remember that this is your experience, so try to avoid comparisons with others that make you feel 'behind' in some way. I was active before (a pretty nippy runner) but I've broadened the activities I do, which has been fun. I got a lot of confidence from doing Cardiac Rehab, even if (looking back) it was pretty low intensity (I think it's aimed at older people. Good luck, and this community will always be happy to listen.
Exact thing happened to me in 2014. Out of the blue chest pains for 3 days. Diagnosed as heart attack when I phoned an ambulance at 7am on a bank holiday. An immediate stent sorted that. Still here living a normal life. I did need a triple bypass literally this weekend 2 years ago to keep me going though!
Hundreds of people on here have gone through exactly the same and know exactly how you feel. It's an enormous shock suddenly facing your own mortality and for most of us there was no warning at all. Even when I had a heart attack, all I felt was 3 days of horrific indigestion until on day three I got a mild tingling in my arm and neck and suddenly realised what it could be. Whipped into hospital, two stents fitted and sent home. I had to get my GP to translate my discharge letter and never had another word from the hospital or explanation until I got an appointment for another angiogram to check my other arteries ( Two more part blockages found but not stented. Oh and that huge bag of medications. Don't worry. I'm still here after 5 years. The very best thing for you will be rehab. A nurse will explain everything and talk you through diet and exercise and your rehab exercise will be supervised by cardiac nurses. You will gradually get your confidence back. What shocked me most was going through our diet. I had always cooked from scratch, never had takeaways or ready meals, we don't drink. I changed our diet as advised by the rehab nurse and 6 months later both I and my GP were shocked to find I'd lost 2 stone in weight. It really is amazing what you think is a good diet, really isn't. Over the years I've slipped back a bit; occasional treats are fine. You have a G P who isn't at all empathetic but that doesn't mean he won't keep an eye on you. You will get an annual heart check and blood tests. Don't be surprised if you get side effects from the meds; there are alternatives for all of them and you will get lots of support on here. You're not catastrophising; it's how anyone would feel.
I didn't even realise I'd lost any weight (I didn't really need to). It was only when I got out my summer skirts and they all literally fell of me,that I noticed. My GP was so surprised that he even ran tests for cancer because he couldn't understand why it had happened. You should hear from rehab in around 3 or 4 weeks. They like you to have some recovery time before they start. I really think there should be at least one appointment with a psychologist after a heart attack to help you come to terms with it and learn to see it, not as a death sentence but as a warning that you can live a full life providing you make some changes.
Hi... I too am 53 (as of this week) and had a heart attack and stent fitted on 21st November and just like you I never saw it coming! I only start my rehab this week, so don't worry if you have to wait a little while. Reading your post took me back to the days after my heart attack when my feelings were so raw about everything. I too had brilliant care in hospital. I am sorry your gp wasn't understanding ... each professional I have seen is so honest about the emotional journey and how tricky it can be. Do you have a community cardiac nurse? They gave me a fantastic work book to use for 6 weeks post heart attack and a relaxation cd. I can't recommend the work book enough..lots of info ..easy to read and makes you take it all a bit at a time.
11 weeks on , I am your age and I am walking every day, have just come home from a relaxing few days away in a forest lodge and getting stronger each week.
Your feelings are normal..I remember having a big meltdown with all the meds but weeks on it still feels hard sometimes but doesn't feel so bad as in the beginning.
Be kind to yourself ..avoid dr. Google where possible.. engage in the support on offer..listen to your body..if you are tired it's okay..if you feel bright it's okay and if you feel weepy it's okay. Brighter days are coming and we can do this!! Xxx
Hi this happened to me 2 years ago I was 59 a month before my 60th birthday celebrations unfortunately I had to have an emergency bypass, I felt very much the same as you,
Rehab will be offered but if you have any wobbles or fear before hand please speak to one of the nurses that specialise in heart care
Don’t worry about the meds they are there to protect you and your heart .
I am so sorry your GP practice spoke to you like that, I know how that feels because in the first week of my recovery something similar happened to me, I also have high cholesterol and diabetes ( this is all under control assisted by diet and meds) I went to my rehab classes and I make sure I walk and do some form of exercise daily even if it’s just a couple of utube workouts ( I walk 4 days a week anything between 3-5miles) and exercise the remaining days.
BeKind28- put you on a link a very kind person always helpful and worth taking a look at just for some pointers.
I had a heart attack out of the blue at 2am one April night. No prior warnings. Taken to A&E, stent next day, home day after with bag of meds. Rehab took at least a month to come thru. Don’t panic I’d say. With your meds you’re much less likely to have another event than you’d be without them. You’ve been all checked out so you’re good to go.
Take your phone and take little short walks - round the house, round the garden, round the block. Eat sensibly, sleep well and relax a bit. It can take a while to balance the meds so try not to worry until your next check up.🙂
I had exactly the same as you. Happened in November.
It was 1 week before my 40th birthday. Not the best birthday present and definitely wasn't expecting it. I considered myself relatively healthy.
It can be worrying but that soon calms down. You'll have a lot of questions. I wrote mine down so that I didn't forget to ask them.
My cardiac Rehab starts this week, so don't expect anything to happen too soon, just gradually build your walking up and allow yourself time to heal and adjust to the meds etc.
Don't try and change everything overnight because you'll set yourself up to fail.
The hospital should have given you a document which explains how to build your walking up. You shouldn't be doing anything strenuous at the moment.
Big thing for me was excepting that it happened and remembering I've been lucky because they repaired me. I just have to look after the repair now.
Next week you'll feel different and next month you'll be moving on from it.
Hallo (Junior, haha). Been there, done that. 5 heart attacks, cardiac arrest and Aortic aneurysm later, I stick to rice, pasta and potatoes. My issue was Brughada, which means I have an extra electrical circuit in my heart.....lovely!
So for 12 years (since my arrest) I`ve been swimming, enjoying every bloody minute and read what I can on heart matters.
I wear a defibrillator and there`s an online mag. and usually a Support Club at a hospital. Always a laugh, always informative.
If you are on the edge with Diabetes, get it treated. Before your first `follow-up` meeting write down the things that worry you, so you`re prepared to "shoot". That`s how we learn.
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