Support and help after heart attack and cardiac arrest

[Bash83]

This is my bio, i have just joined and is all so recent, any words of wisdom will be greatly appreciated 🙏A week ago today I had a heart attack at age 40. I was home alone when I got severe chest pain which felt like indigestion x1000 and became sweaty nauseous and struggling to get a breath so I called for an ambulance as I knew within myself I was having heart attack. When paramedics arrived this was confirmed and I then went into cardiac arrest and rushed straight to hospital and into theatre to have stents inserted . I have been told I have heart disease and I am still struggling come to terms with any of this all feels surreal. My stepdad passed from heart attack few years ago which I believe prompted me to phone ambulance as if I had waited I would not be writing this. I've joined this group to see if I can find some comfort that I am not alone in how life altering this all feels and the trauma I feel it has causes, thank you anyone for reading my story 🥰

[baly_2023]

Hi Bash,

I'm sorry to hear about your heart attack and cardiac arrest, i can't imagine what that felt like and the fact that you lost your stepdad too, both horrible things for someone so young to have to go through.

I'm hoping you are recovering as well as you can be in these early stages and wish you the best recovery.

You are certainly not alone, and this group is full of amazing supportive people with a wealth of person experience in these matters.

You will find peace when you feel anxious about something as people have gone through it themselves, you will find hope in the success stories of people getting better and having better lives post a heart attack.

For now rest, take the medicines as prescribed, rest more and people will be here for you, ask your cardiologists as many questions as you can to understand what happened to you and what you can do to change things in lifestyle to recover and lead a good healthy life after this.

The British Heart Foundation has a cardio nurse helpline who are wonderful at listening and giving advice for any questions you have.

Wish you the best and rest, it's very important.

baly

[BeKind28-]

Hello

I am so sorry to read what you have been through and there is no wonder you are feeling as you are so many of us will relate to what you are saying

I was on my own when my Husband is usually with me when I had my first heart attack and when I say first I think I went on to have another 2 because I did not have stents but eventually I had to have a triple heart Bypass

It still leaves me doubting when it comes to my heart and something I have to keep working on I think the physical side we can get over quicker than the mental side of how this affects us

I am so sorry to hear about your Father in law but what you have to focus on even though you had a heart attack you are not your Father in law you are you and because of what happened to him there is nothing that says this will be what will happen to you

You have those stents now keeping those arteries nice and open with a good blood flow you will be on the right medications to keep your heart healthy and with a good diet and exercise you can go on to live a long and happy life

You no doubt will be offered Rehab which will be such a great benefit to you and hopefully as time goes on you will regain your confidence if at any time you are struggling then speak with your Doctor and get some therapy but at this moment this may not be needed as it is early days

You are certainly not alone and I have found this Community somewhere I can come and talk with others that know how I feel which has helped so much and I hope it will help you to

You saved your own life and acted quick some would may not have done that so if you managed to do that then I can sense you will manage a good recovery

It takes a long time to process what has happened but give yourself that time and do not worry that this is anything but a usual reaction but will get better with time

Come and talk with us whenever you want , ask questions when needed and others will share their experiences with you

As suggested if you feel you will benefit talking with the BHF Nurses then give them a ring I will add their number

You are not alone

Let us know how you get on x

Heart Helpline team on 0300 330 3311 Mon-Fri 9-5pm

[WeeHoolet]

Hello Bash83,

Sorry to read of your heart attack and cardiac arrest. Thank goodness you had the perspicacity to ring for an ambulance when you did.

I'm sure that you will find help and comfort from this caring community, just as I have done.

It's early days, so please rest, take your prescribed medication, keep your fluids up and let the shock of your experience subside. As you continue your recovery, any sense of unreality that you may be feeling will pass. And if you have feelings of anxiety, fear, tiredness, and frustration, these, too, will lessen over time. As questions arise, for example about future treatment, exercise, cardiac rehab, employment, write them down for addressing later, during discussions with your health care professionals. Such questions are then less likely to trouble you or your sleep.

It's true, of course, that your experience has brought changes to your life, but with the right medical treatment and support and with good self-care, the changes need not be limiting. Take one step at a time.

And you are not alone in this community. Wishing you well.🙂🦉

[DWizza]

Hi Bash, I know that pain! Had similar in July 2023, thought it was trapped wind . Nstemi heart attack and quadruple bypass. Was fit and strong. Making great physical progress back to running and yoga , working round my small holding. Still struggling to feel fantastic everyday , my meds are being tweaked ,changed statin , reduced bisoprolol… the mental aspects definitely don’t heal as quickly as the physical. I’ve got 4 scars that are a constant reminder . I wrangle every day with blaming myself for letting my family down. Acceptance and self kindness will help, having knowledge on how to go forward is a must too. Changes to lifestyle , just some small changes in nutrition , rehab activity etc. anything to help our bodies and mental state. Exercise is proven to help mentally and physically. You are certainly not alone and there are others in here who have been through a lot worse than us that are an inspiration.

You’ve got a responsibility to yourself and your family to get knowledgeable, help yourself and when appropriate share your experiences to help others . Sadly , there will be many others following behind us.

[Callie456]

Hi Bash83,You've come to the right place, you'll find a great amount of support and help here. Sorry to hear of what happened to you, it must have been such a shock. I had a HA just over a year ago. I was 45, quite healthy, no cardiac risk factors, just happened out of the blue one day. I woke up in the morning feeling like I couldn't breathe, I was dizzy and nauseous, then got pins & needles down both arms.

It's difficult to come to terms with the fact that I had a heart attack at my age. It was also nothing like you see on tv, so I think that also made it harder for me to believe it really happened.

I was in hospital for a week, stents couldn't be fitted so I'm being managed with medication. Taking multiple medications daily took awhile to get used to. I was annoyed and upset, but after a few months it just settled into the routine and I take them without thinking too much about them now.

The emotional side of things was more difficult to handle than the physical recovery.

I attended cardiac rehab which was great. Celebrate small steps, don't expect too much too soon, take it easy and learn as much as you can, ask whatever questions you want.

The first weeks and months following the HA were confusing and scary and surreal, I went through a whole range of emotions. Be sure to ask for help and support when you need it.

Things have settled down for me since then and I can see how far I've come since the HA.

We're glad to have you join up here and I love your profile pic, I have a cat who looks very similar! I must say, just patting and watching her sleep is a very relaxing way to spend some time

[Golfgirl3]

good morning. Welcome, although like the rest of us you never expected to be here. We’re many and varied and are at different stages of recovery but we’re all here to seek and offer support.

[Danceawaytheblues]

Sending best wishes to you. 💖💖💖

[Rosieapple72]

Hi Bash

You are certainly amongst people here who understand exactly how you feel. It’s very scary and you feel like someone has come along and stolen your life. But you get your life back. Take one day at a time and remember you are one of the very lucky ones. You are still here, going strong and with the right approach to your lifestyle, medication, exercise and good support you will be ok.

People here are always willing to listen and advise ( although we cannot give medical advise) we can listen, share our thoughts and experiences and provide understanding. 🥰

[Herestous]

Goodness what a fright you must have had...understatement of the year. You are not alone & it's going to take time, plenty of time. I went to bed & thought I'd wake up dead for 3 months...then the is the (excuse language) bloody hell this is serious, why me. That fads & I'm sane again. We are all different & I don't mean to sound negative. I just wish I knew at the start about these feelings. Day by day...take care x

[Furryears]

You certainly are not alone, I am 2 years since my HA I suffered a Stemi paramedics took me in the middle f the night couldn’t fit a stent so had an emergency bypass here and then,

I was not n a great place for many months i sought the right help, & I seen a psychologist for nearly a year and I am coping so much better now, I didn’t want any more meds so have tried different coping mechanisms.

Don’t bottle anything up keep talking here if you need t chat 😊