Mrs Anita

[27dan]

HiI had a heart attack unexpectedly

I had a stent placed in my artery

I feel very scared it will happen again

[Comfycousin1]

Bless you. Same thing happened to me just before Christmas. No family history, I'm not a smoker or drinker so completely unexpected.It is still relatively early days for me but I am having counselling. I choose to concentrate on the fact that it was an early warning. The stent has opened up the congested artery and I am probably fitter now than I have been for years.

Three months later im attending Cardiac Rehabilitation sessions each week and I'm certainly eating better and taking more exercise.

Things will settle down for you too.

Take care.

C

[27dan in reply to Comfycousin1]

Good to hear from you and what happened to youI will keep looking after myself

[yellow731]

Hi and welcome , i was the same in july , it does get better as the days turn into weeks and then the months , once you attend rehab you will start feeling better ,and as my rehab nurse said you have had a full mot on the heart you know whats what.

[27dan in reply to yellow731]

HiThis is reassuring

Thank you

[Crabedu]

The same happened to me at the end of November. It takes time both physically and emotionally to recover..its a journey for sure and perfectly natural to feel worried. Take every bit of support offered to you. 3 months on I am exercising about an hour each day..attending cardiac rehab and heart has healed well. Brighter days are ahead ..hang on in there.. this community is right behind you! X

[27dan in reply to Crabedu]

Thank you so much I appreciate your reply

[Hidden]

Hi,

Sorry to hear about your HA its not great being in this club but life does and will go on for you.

How long ago has it been since it happened.

I'm 53 had mine at the end of November. It was a STEMI and even though heart attacks come out of the blue, I due to an active lifestyle, with moderation in naughty food and drink didn't expect it this early.

Feeling scared, worried, anxious is perfectly normal, I was a bit of a wreck at times during the first month.

But eventually you get used to it, you get used to the medicines and you get used to not panicking about any pain, twitch, discomfort you may have around the chest area ( trust me we all have done it).

Without knowing how long yours happened my best advice is to take it easy, rest, take all your medications as prescribed and let your heart heal and your mental health recover.

I would recommend phoning the BHF cardiac nurse helpline 0808 802 1234 for any questions or concerns you have ,they are brilliant.

Ask any questions you have here, no one here can give medical advice but there is a wealth of experience from being in the same shoes as you.

Life does go on after such things, I'm now back to doing my excericses, back to being active, driving, shopping, going to family events, cinemas, eating out . Back in November I couldn't even imagine doing anything.

I would 100% recommend taking up cardio rehabilitation when they offer it, I can't stress the importance of it.

wishing you a good recovery and take it easy for now.

baly

[27dan in reply to Hidden]

HiIt happened 2 years ago

I did go to a rehabilitation centre

I do feel stronger now

I take day by day

Thanks for sharing

[andybarn]

hi I had a stent put in 4 years ago and feel much the same as before I had my HA. I take my tablets and try to do gentle exercise to keep me fit. I am sure you will settle down and get to live a normal life.

[Warm-heart]

Hello, I can fully understand your fear. The truth is, now they have dealt with the blocked artery & will have double checked nothing else has a blockage, you should now be fine, no reason for this to recur. It is a shock though and will take time to work through the shock of it, but I would say be reassured that the area is now opened up with the stent and they are happy nothing else is a problem. Hopefully they can reassure you at your followup appointment too. I follow a mediterranean diet which is helpful - this was written by a cardiologist: amazon.co.uk/Pioppi-Diet-21... Do keep us posted as to how you get on as you recover, if you wish.

[Qualipop]

That's highly unlikely. When they fitted the stent they will have checked all your arteries for any more blockages. Take yoru recovery slowly; give time to get used to the side effects of the medication and to let the stent bed in. Hundreds of people on here have had the same shock out of the blue often with no warning at all that anything was wrong. The mental effects are often worse than the heart attack. In 3 or 4 weeks you will be offered cardiac rehab. You MUST go. It's exercise closely supervised by cardiac nurses and will do more for yoru confidence than anything else. It's horrific being suddenly warned you are not immortal. Rehab will give you advice on diet and lifestyle. Meanwhile change whatever is necessary; diet, weight, smoking, alcohol and exercise (gently). Work on one thing at a time or it becomes overwhelming. My heart attack was now 5 years a go. Initially I felt the same as you. I'd been a bit breathless when gardening and that's all. My GP thought it was muscular. Then I got horrific indigestion for 3 days. NO pain at all until my arm started to tingle a bit. Ambulance, two s tents and sent home. They've fixed your plumbing, the rest is now up to you and the tablets to make your life more healthy. The main BHF website has l inks to hundreds of heart healthy meals. Cuit out the takeaways and ready meals, increase vegetables, no fried food, pies cakes, crisps, biscuits and try to cut down on red meat and fat. IT sounds a lot but it is easy. Lose weight if you need to and NO smoking. It's not a death sentence. It's a warning.

[Furryears]

Hi Mrs Anita I and 2 years now since my HA no stent for me, I did have a bypass though

Things will get better for you, if you feel you are really struggling speak to the nurses or your doctor and see about some counselling

Keep talking because most of us have been there and know the thoughts and feelings that will be going through your mind.

Take care here if you need a chat 😊