Post angioplasty

[Fulstoneflyer]

I am 74yr old male. 3 weeks ago I had an heart attack and was admitted to my local hospital. An “echo test” was normal. An angiogram showed a blockage in the LAD artery. This was successfully unblocked using a balloon. I was discharged from hospital following this procedure. Since then I have suffered from a high level of fatigue, particularly in my pelvic muscles and my upper legs. I have had problems with these muscles for some time following a serious accident in Feb 2019 ( 10 metre fall from ladder). However the weakness is significantly worse since the heart attack.

I would welcome any advice from the BHF community if the fatigue is normal following a heart attack

[Lowerfield_no_more]

It seems to me that there are degrees of intensity in heart attacks, working up from the NSTEMI which I had, which I thought was a chest infection, to those that are fatal, and for those that do survive, the outcomes and treatment are different. So the experiences of those on here may well be many and varied. However it might be worth talking to the BHF Heart Helpline nurse who may be able to give a professional view on your situation. Otherwise, hopefully you will been put on the waiting list for a cardio rehab course run by your local hospital which should happen within the next few weeks, providing you with the opportunity to have a face to face discussion about any concerns you have, as well as giving you a good basis to manage lifestyle following your heart attack. But if you haven't heard about the rehab course, I suggest you make some enquiries with your cardio team.

bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...

[Morrissey_alike]

I felt like that after my heart attack and stents. Your experience sounds just like mine. I don't know whether the fatigue was a result of the heart attack or adapting to my new meds, but it did get better over time. If it persists, you might want to talk to your GP about trying different meds, or taking them at a different time. It felt to me as if taking them at bedtime helped because the main impact of the meds on my body happened while I was asleep.

[Fulstoneflyer in reply to Morrissey_alike]

Many thanks for your reply. It’s really helpful to hear from others who have gone through similar experience’s.

The amount of medication given to me has been a concern. I have had to change the statin because of excessive diarrhoea.

[Bluelobby]

My advice would be dont run before you can walk pal , I was 53 when I had my HA , pretty physically fit , strong due to a physical job and 4 to 6 miles covered daily . After my HA I felt like I had been transported to a 80 years old body , felt very weak , fragile . In all honesty, getting used to meds and recovering to somewhere near back to normal took about 7 to 8 months . 3 weeks is a very short space of time so I wouldnt worry to much at this stage .Good luck

[Fulstoneflyer in reply to Bluelobby]

Many thanks for your reply. It’s very good to have direct contact with other people who have had similar problems/ experience. I can’t believe how much this HA has had on my fatigue level. All i’ve got from health professionals is “ everyone is different “. This doesn’t help me at all.

I’m booked in for a cardiac recovery program shortly. Hopefully this will help.

[Cavalierrubie]

They say a heart attack affects the whole body and that has to recover in its own time. The human body has a miraculous way of doing this, so let it do its job and listen to what it is telling you. Sleep and rest is a great healer. Try not to worry especially at this early stage. You are ok, being looked after and you will be just fine.

[RegularWalker]

My HA was at age 72 and I slept like a baby after being discharged from hospital 4 days later. I walked half a mile the first day out of hospital and gradually increased it until I was back to doing my customary 10-milers. All medication has side effects and may be reduced over time. You should press for it to be reviewed if there's anything you are unhappy about. You'll find the Cardiac rehabilitation helpful and reassuring. It takes time but there's all the encouragement and advice you could wish for.

[Fulstoneflyer in reply to RegularWalker]

Thank you for your reply. Interesting the HA didn’t appear to restrict your walking ability. It has certainly affected me! I can’t believe how it has affected my hip flexor muscles. Hopefully the cardiac recovery program I start soon will help.