Hi I'm 45 coming up to 46, had severe back and arm pain, turns out i had 96% blockage , ended up having stent fitted 10 weeks ago and now struggling daily with paranoia, depression and a why me attitude.
I have been back working which is remotely but kind of doesn't help with the over thinking , i read such positive posts on here but then slip into , what if I'm a minority and it fails or i need another procedure.... constantly checking by BP although a week before it happened my BP, Cholesterol, ECG were all fine .... so again , taking BP , I'm thinking ...does this even mean anything.
I walk most days 2 miles at a steady pace completed cardio rehab and about to start their extended sessions locally....
Reassurance is such a big part of this recovery and google doesn't help but i cant help having this thought of impending doom.. I'm sure it will pass but indigestion is now a cardio emergency and any kind of twinge has me breaking into a sweat !!!
Then i can go to feeling as fit as a fiddle , i did go to the gym 4-5 times a week prior , vaped a lot drank on a weekend , neither have i done since....
this is definitely a psychological war , one i dont think im winning right now but hoping these thoughts and worries will pass, that said the DR did say to me " no matter what test , what medicine, what advice i give a person, i cannot guarantee you that your not going to drop down dead walking ot my door" grim but very bloody true !!! so should i see this as a warning shot or just that i was dam unlucky , they have put it down to stress that caused a plaque build up to rupture ... i dont know, buy physically i feel pretty good, mentally is another level !!!
feel free to post your comments or experiences ..
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Mattd_UK
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hi i relate so much to what you are saying, it took me months to get my confidence back after last May I took a bad Angina attack, I had stents put in last august diagnosed with Angina and december 23 i was feeling so good and then I took a heart attack on the 19th march 24 , one of my stents had totally blocked, and another artery had partially blocked, my mum had heart disease so it is in family, but because of what now happened I'm a wreck, worrying about every twinge and scared to do things incase i trigger something, where i live don't do cardiac rehabilitation but seemingly it can be done on line, wish i had pushed for this last year, last year i done everything that was asked of me , lost weight, blood pressure stable, cholesterol down from 5.something to 1.something, was diagnosed with type2 diabetic but got that under control as well,”was going to Aquafit once a week and still had a heart attack this time ive actually started an antidepressant but im defo pushing for cardiac rehab, don't want to be living in fear, but its so raw and scary right now, If you have cardiac rehab where you are i would defo go, was advised by consultant last year if i was offered to do it, to take it but when they didn’t do it on island i just struggled on, ive read its been really helpful for people, might be an idea , hearing your story, made me feel better as im normally a strong person and felt so weak for feeling this way
Just read your post again and see you have done cardio rehab , thought it was someone else's post i had read that, so that hasn't settled your mind either, think im hoping for miracles with the rehab, sounds as if its going to be up to me 🤦♀️🤦♀️ so dont see this fear going anywhere
Yes that's correct , i did the Cardio rehab and it helped a stack, I'm off to start their outside programme this Friday and also walk myself around 1.75 miles in the morning, did you exercise and take the meds as prescribed ? im not too sure what your health was like prior to the stent or your age etc and where are you located, i thought all hospitals offered the cradio rehab programme .... its scary especially when i have young kids, people who rely on me... etc .. also for myself, hearing that stents are getting blocked again and so soon doesn't help but i guess that's the truth of it all... there are more positive factual posts of here than there are negative so i take that as a plus, google offers nothing but worry and anxiety so id steer well clear of that .... everyone is here to offer advice and personal experiences to help others so chin up and what will be will be , as long as we are all doing everything we can to prevent then thats all we can really do .
I live on an island, so they dont but have here ive asked for on line, Im 65 and my mum had heart disease, the consultant said it was very rare for to block like it did, i asked why it had happened as i took all medication and done all that was asked of me. They are going to do a follow up angiogram in 3 months to check there is no blockage if there is then it will be heart bypass which was mentioned last year, but cardiac team thought stents would work, I have put in profile all that happened last year and by December I had practically got back to my wee self, but this has totally knocked me back and worse, they have put me on different medication and put different medication in stent so hoping this one works, I was on Clopidogrel, thats been changed and other heart medication been doubled on dose
You are definitely not weak . We all go through this feeling . A cardiac event just leaves you feeling totally vulnerable. If you can get you tube on your tv , there are some cardiac rehab classes on there you could try . Sorry you’ve had such a hard time
there are some on youtube - if you search cardio rehab it will bring up the british heart foundation one, order yourself some 1kg weights and away you go.... you sound like your very remote , is there a hospital that can do the angiograms and stent procedures, that would be a n added worry however you have also got to look at it like this, youve been through so much already and things have worked then caused problems and there are many other procedures you can go through to fix the issues, i had an elderly friend who had a family history of heart disease he knew eventually he would have a triple bypass in fact he couldn't wait for it , had it done and vigorously plays squash , i guess they try the least evasive procedures first.
even talking about it today or typing my reply all worry is gone as im concentrating on the task in hand , keep fit , stay active and busy i find it helps
thank you for that and yes that adds to my anxiety as i had to be helicopter off island the night i took heart attack plus my Angina is unstable as i wake out of sleep with pain so another anxiety, I'm scared to sleep at the moment ive been advised to walk round bungalow no Aquafit and not to excercise till im told, so early days, i get out of breath just showering. No hospital here just get you stable then helicopter to mainland to rah then i was transferred after tests to golden jubliee for angioplasty, was looked after well no complaint there, but the hard thing is the answers they give you dont help the anxiety, I suppose we want to hear that's you okay now and when it comes to heart well thats another story eh!!!!
Wow , so a Scottish isle then ??, that would blow my mind especially with health concerns, your a braver person than me, that's for sure :-).
Well like i said if we listen and do as we are advised its all we can do for now.. i have friends older than me who have had HA and stents all very active , feeling fitter than ever, im hoping i get that stage at some point and that is my intension - i hope that there is a fitter and longer life ahead for everyone who goes through this , i suppose the fact im 45 is the biggest issue for me ...
Well hopefully thats a good thing you being 45, as that was one of the reasons they say was why my stent blocked was my age and my heart disease has calcium in it, good luck with your recovery and hope all goes positive for you, thanks for chat
well not a problem, if at any point your having a rough time feel free to drop me a message, i hope your recovery eventually becomes sorted and you get fixed up . Thanks for the chat too good luck laworders
Hi there, I’m sorry to read about what happened to you, it must have been such a shock.
How you are feeling now is not uncommon, in fact, many people here, me included, have found the psychological journey far harder to navigate than the physical. Have you been offered cardiac rehab at all? I ask this because I found this really useful to build my confidence back up but there was also some emotional support from the staff and other participants. In my area it was a group exercise class for six weeks. I also had counselling too, which was beneficial. I was 51 when my heart attack happened and put it down to acute stress, but further tests have revealed that I have an inherited lipid disorder. If you have a family history of premature heart disease then you may be eligible for further tests.
I am now 2 years on in my journey and I can’t say that the psychological ‘scars’ have healed completely. I don’t think they ever will, but time is definitely a great healer.
Wishing you all the best in your continuing recovery.
Thank you for your reply , yes the physical journey is hard the mental journey harder... confidence to indulge in alcohol and socialising is my biggest hurdle something i was always involved in, however it will return im just adjusting to my healthier lifestyle no vaping , no drinking and no keebabs for now ... time is a great healer and the path to recovery is looking good and something im enjoying now.
It's perfectly normal to feel the way you do after something so serious. I had my HA and stent at 42, 8 years in I'm still here and fitter and stronger as a person than I have ever been. I took it as a kick up the arse to sort myself out, reduced alcohol, changed my diet completely but did all of that in small stages and step by step. When I revert back to some of the worse old habits, and I still do, I remind myself of why I changed what I did, I nearly died once and I have alot of stuff to do in my life so I'm not planning on going soon.
It does make you acutely aware of your body, and it should, but the overwhelming panic does subside and I have now learnt what is normal for me and what isn't. Health is uniquely personal so use the extended cardio sessions to find out what works for you in this moment and go with it. Stress is a big factor and it made me decide to leave my job and the toxicity behind, it took me 14 months to find another one (I was still working in my old role) but I went to one on my terms and whilst my current role is stressful I get to be top of it and step back when it's too much. ( I took up boxing which I can highly recommend as a stress reliever).
I am not sure the psychological challenge ever truly goes away and I still have "why me" moments. Words from professionals have a huge impact and I still hear my cardiologist words "well you're lucky that was a widow maker" and it brings it all back. However I've tried to take those words and turn them around. Yes I am lucky but I'm here and I'm not going anywhere. Good luck on your recovery and use this forum it really can help.
Oh and whilst I know medicine can be contentious but my view is nothing to lose so I just take them but that's my personal choice.
Apparently so and for ages it was all I could focus on but I'm here, it didn't finish me off and with time I've been able to move from everything owning me to me owning it. It does take time so remember to be kind to yourself.
I had a stent put in my LAD April 2023 - 90% blocked.
Freaked me out - I’m 42 and just starting a new career. Young daughter as well.
All I did for months was Google stent success rates - what a waste of time that was because I’m not medically trained to read a medical study correctly haha.
So I’ve decided to just trust my Dr. She said the lesion was the “best” kind to have (i.e., very easy to treat and not likely to cause further issues) and the rest of my arteries were clear. As for stent blockage etc - she explained this is a risk, but a very small one - especially given the outcome of the stent application - and that so long as I take my meds, I should be fine.
So I take my meds, don’t eat sugar anymore and stay off Google. Occasionally, when I’m freaking out a bit, I’ll read the outcome letter where it explains the procedure and how successful it was and that the other arteries are clear - and that clears my anxiety.
It’s a tough hand we’ve been dealt - but the Drs are good and we all should be fine in the long run. There are 90 year olds walking around with 30 year old stents - I’m damn sure going to try be one them!
Hi Mattd_UK,
Consider yourself lucky, the symptoms meant that you had preventative procedures put in to prevent a heart attack.
If they observed anything else that needed fixing ie other arteries etc which needed PCI then it would have been done, looks like the rest were clear.
I won't go through my back story in detail ( but you can see my posts) I had a STEMI heart attack, 100% blockage of the LAD, absolutely no symptoms ever that something was going wrong with it and I mean zero symptoms ever.
Gym, cardio. weight training was a 4-5 times a week occurrence. Healthy eating, etc etc it seems my dad's history of heart disease, his father's, his brothers decided to pay me a visit.
Post Heart attack or anything like this you do dwell on the negatives and what ifs, the pains, the niggles the paranoia, but it passes with time.
I'm around 20 weeks post heart attack, I'm back at the gym, I'm back to 2 days weight/resistance training and 2 days cardio ( 3500m rowing, cross trainer, walking 1 hour a day).
It takes time and mental strength to get on with life, and it's a gradually thing but we do get there.
Be strong, be positive, stop goggling, best not to monitor BP,02,heart rate all the time as it's not healthy. But do be mindful about symptoms which seem odd.
And always have a chat here, there's lots of positive outcomes so look forward to that.
Such a great post . Like you , my symptoms were very mild , not HA but elective angio showed 95% blockage to rca so stented , but like you very strong family history of heart attacks on my dads side of the family , so inherited I think
Went through the same thing, had near crippling anxiety attacks afterwards. Therapy helped me a lot, even if you have to pay for it yourself. At the very least it's helpful to have someone to talk to in a nonjodgemental way.
I was 44 when I had a heart attack and stent put in my LAD. No prior issues, fit and active. This was July 2022. The only warning sign, which I ignored, is that I’d become extremely tired in the weeks before.
I’m 46 now, had the same worries as you, but on a strong course of tablets (probably for life). I’ve done a lot of research, asked my GP and the cardiologist every question I can think of… and over time my fear has eased.
My biggest fear was actually exercise - I convinced myself that raising my heart rate would be fatal. It took to recently for that fear to fade.
I won’t pretend the worry doesn’t come back at 3am when I suddenly wake, but it’s less frequent and less intense now. Like me, they found your issue before it killed you. Stents and medication are hugely effective.
it is very difficult to get your head around having a heart problem especially so young and such a shock and we have to accept mentally what’s happened which is really hard to do.
Focus on the positive though you have had treatment which has worked well and you’ve done all you can do as in cardio rehab and lifestyle to keep well and your taking medication to prevent any more issues so your doing everything right !
As you recover and do more you will get more confident and less anxious so just get on with your life. I have found meditation helpful in living in the moment, mindfulness is very good for mental health.
One last thing is that when I was having stents put in there was another man in the next bed who had had stents put in 30years ago and had only just come back with a problem and was in his eighties I found this very reassuring at the time !!
have you been for counselling? Anxiety can get such a grip on is it’s hard to see the life that’s out there. I was left with generalised anxiety after my heart event, nothing to do with fear of dying as I’d had a very nice near death experience.
Anyway I firmly believe life is too short not too be able to live it. But know how difficult anxiety can make that.
Tackle the anxiety and aim to live your life.
What’s helped me,
Using an anxiety diary- I can’t think of its proper name. But in the morning you 3 positive aims for the day and how your feeling then again you write in it in the evening and review.
Counselling that helps turn your perspective around. How lucky are we to know the state of our hearts. Were on all the right medications to keep us safe. Others don’t know that and could be a walking around time bomb.
Stopping taking my pulse all the time ( with you it might be your BP), we can get too obsessed with things and forget to live. Our vitals will change over the day. I do have an Apple Watch but am careful now not to get over the top with it. I mainly use it for tracking my exercise and occasional rhythm checks.
I have gone on sertraline as anxiety was definitely increasing my arrhythmias. I’m determined to stay on lowest dose so yes anxiety does creep in but the counselling has allowed me to recognise it and given me strategies to help deal with it. But I do still get it.
Having a good friend who understands and listens.
When I stop and think about all that’s gone on with me in last 2/3 years I think bloody hell I shouldn’t be walking around let alone doing all the stuff I do and I have to stop myself over thinking it. I get fatigued and frustrated like many of us but then at least we’re still here. How lucky are we??
it’s a warning shot. I’m 71, I was asymptomatic until October 22. I now have 2xPCI, CABG and AVR. I had a routine scan mid May 23 that led to the PCI. A further scan before discharge led to OHS 3 weeks after the scan. I was in hospital for 36 days.
In my case the stents helped a lot but there were still other issues hence the surgery. Apart from some occasional transitory muscular discomfort in my right pectoral muscles I’m, at 10 months, back to normal.
I’ve been told by my local Cardiac Unit that they don’t need to see me for 2 years. They are impressed, I’m doing my local park run whenever I can, that’s most weeks and is a 5k event. I’m also back at the gym occasionally. Cardiac rehab classes were very helpful to me as well, I still go to the follow on sessions.
It is also important to stick to any regime of prescribed drugs, I started on 30 or so tablets a day when I left hospital, I’m down to 9 now and that should be 7 from June.
Yes, it is a big psychological challenge but think about it, we are the lucky ones where the issue has been found BEFORE it kills us, not at a post mortem. It is an opportunity to enjoy a ‘second life’ albeit with the need to be a little more cautious in respect of diet (fats and alcohol) for most of us. And before you ask I still get the odd down moment or two over what has happened, there are some things I still need to attempt that I was doing routinely before. Mind you I replaced the felt on my shed roof a month or so ago …
can relate to this 100%. Took me a good 12 months to get over it psychologically. I was obsessed about diet, exercise, sleeping too much, sleeping not enough, not picking up anything heavy, a glass of red wine very occasionally. You eventually learn that you’ve had an early warning but life isn’t over. I enjoyed a drink, had treats but not takeaways 2-3 times a week. It’s easy to say but don’t worry but eventually you will approach normal again soon. You’re now armed with the knowledge what you do need to take good care, exercise, limit your drinking and stop smoking (if you did). I still had the occasional blow out on pizzas or a few pints of lager but not too many. You’ll be fine for many years to come.
I’m 7 years on from my 3 stents. I can remember the physiological torture of thinking “ these 3 pieces of metal shouldn’t be in me, get them out “ I did have counselling which helped, just talking about your fears and worries helps.
Hopefully you will forget you’ve had stents fitted, but at first it’s all you think about. One thing the counsellor said to me that helped was it’s a good thing that’s happened( having the stents fitted) . I could only think this was a disaster. I’m in a phase 4 keep fit class after 7 years. It’s such a good thing to do.
I used to ring The British Heart Foundation, they are very helpful. I believe they have people to just listen as well as the qualified nurses.
I hope you can get the support you need ☺️
Just an afterthought, I was recently in hospital with chest pains. I’m told if you get chest pains ring 111 or 999. I knew as soon as I rang 111 they’d say go to A&E. my Troponins were 28 at first and again 6 hours later, so no heart attack but higher than normal. In the end the cardiologist diagnosed indigestion and discharged me. Don’t be afraid of being cautious, it’s safer , but don’t be neurotic if you can help it. I’m a terrible worrier, I can sympathise.
Yes it is. I did phase 3 in the hospital then I went on to phase 4. I have to pay for phase 4 though. I’m doing mine online after we had the pandemic . We started in the gym originally.
Hi,Everything you've said is a very normal reaction to such a terrible shock. You can have a heart attack for many reasons. It's always more difficult to understand when you are young, fit, healthy, exercise regularly, eat a healthy diet and perhaps don't smoke or drink!! It can be genetic/ hereditary. The feelings of self doubt, lack of confidence, self belief etc. are part and parcel of your body having had a shock. Wondering if the stent is going to work or " cure " you forever is understandable. Analysing each and every twinge in the chest area and immediately relating it to your heart is very common!! Becoming low in mood, having dark thoughts and black dreams is also common. You are suddenly made aware of your own mortality overnight!! Things will never be the same!! They will be different!! I had my first heart attack in 2021 and had a stent fitted, then another heart attack in 2022 and 2033. I had a double cabg in January of 2023!!! My situation was genetic on my mother's side. I immediately stopped smoking and drinking in 2021 and have never looked back. You will get better as time goes on.
My advice is DON'T GOOGLE!!!
Just take each day as it comes.
If you have a good support network then use them to talk to. I found the cardio rehab team really good if I had concerns.
after reading all these positive responses I hope it helps. For sure it had put a spring in my step for the day ahead !! Some fantastic positive responses on here / in fact I will save this post and re read everyone’s positive thoughts / yes we have been given a second chance - let’s take it
I had 4 MIs 6 years ago with a stent in my LAD that was 99% blocked. I was a very lucky boy: instead of going straight home like normal from the train station after work, a little voice in my head told me to go to the A&E to get checked out. If I hadn’t, I probably wouldn’t be typing this message.
I was completely oblivious to everything before my MIs. Now I’m over sensitive and hyper aware all the time, and it’s eroded my sanity.
I won’t skirt around it: I unavoidably and involuntarily think about my future demise a lot. I even went to CBT to try and stop living in my head, because at a stage it was all I could think about. I had been given a second chance at life and I wasn’t living it. I had effectively given up because, well, what was the point of it all if I could just drop dead any minute?
Thankfully, I got a random referral from my new GP to a new cardiologist after my umpteenth trip to the A&E where they, as usual, had told that all my heart attack-like symptoms weren’t in fact another MI, and that I could go home. I just needed answers for why it kept happening. They’d send me home and not tell me anything, after I’d lost another day sitting in a hospital for no apparent reason. But, my new cardiologist actually listened. He could tell I was in a bad way mentally, and sent me for a scan, adjusted some meds, and eventually discovered I needed another stent in OM2 which was 50% blocked.
The trips to the A&E became a bit more frequent last year after my 2nd stent, so my cardiologist advised I get an ILR. It’s currently doing its thing in my chest, sending data back to the mothership. But, it’s not found anything untoward after almost a year. Thankfully, my trips to the A&E have all but ceased.
I’d say that out of all the stuff I’ve had done in since I met my new cardiologist, the most effective treatment possible was only 4 words: “your heart is fine”. Not once since my MIs had anyone told me that. I expected it to be this scarred mess. But, my new guy assured me it was in good nick, that it was beating as intended and there was no damage or scarring after the MIs. And that I had nothing to worry about as long as I looked after it, and that I should go out and live my life.
The NHS is amazing when it comes to saving your life. The best in the world. Sadly, though, after care leaves a lot to be desired. Like after my cardiac rehab, which was awesome, I was basically given a leaflet and told “here you go, you’re on your own now, have a good life”. And I think that was what broke me. The feeling of being so very alone out there, with no-one to turn to.
hi, reading your post I can see myself back in 2017, heart attack at 48 came from nowhere, initial relief at surviving it was soon replaced with fear and worry for the future, like you say every little pain and twinge sends you into a panic, I was lucky enough to be signed up for the counsellor at my hospital as part of my rehab and found this really beneficial, not sure if your hospital does this, in my personal experience I did get to a place of acceptance of what had been and just relaxed into a new normal where I am mindful of any symptoms and act accordingly but not consumed by them if that makes sense, nearly seven years on I just feel thankful now that I’m here and I hope you feel more settled and at peace soon, take care x
Hi Matt, what you're going through now is absolutely normal and be assured it does pass. I dropped almost exactly 1 year ago with a 99% blockage, they lost me and brought me back 4 times with the defibrillator, I had the dream of my entire life passing before me and of me being led away into the blackness. I really struggled with that afterwards. I was a very fit 65 year old rock climber and hill walker, I also did a lot of cycling, just couldn't understand why it could even possibly happen to me. In hospital after having the 2 stents fitted the cardiologist told me he was extremely surprised that I made it and that it was likely my fitness that helped pull me through.
In the following months I ended up in A&E on 3 separate occasions positive I was having another HA only to be given the all clear, turns out it was anxiety, something I've never suffered from previously.
I talked about it with the nurse at the cardio-rehab clinic and she referred my to the cardio psychologist, yes heart patients have a dedicated psychologist as it's a widely recognised problem for us, I had 2 sessions with her but seriously didn't need the second, it was a huge weight being taken from me, a light suddenly switched on in the dark. I've never looked back since the first meeting with her. I still have little dark thoughts but they're only fleeting and sometimes I even laugh at myself for being daft. I'm now doing 5 days from 7 in the gym, cardio and resistance training and very fit again.
You're on a voyage and going through the storm right now, but calm waters are not so far in front of you!
Ask to see the psychologist, you will subdue the thoughts and you will return to 'normal'.
Thank you for your reply , a positive outcome , my gym days are still a little way off but i cant wait to return - im trying my hardest to get through this on my own and wasn't aware that there are psychologists that help with this trauma, its a massive issue, I've done my reading, something i do a little too much of to be honest, that's half the problem, i created this thread for that very reason Sanmo, so we can come read back and also continue to contribute , it helps me massively to read these stories and something ill continue doing , probably for the rest of my life , possibly not as often as i am now but every now and then just to keep things on the up when needed. good luck my friend and just out of curiosity , how hard you pushing the gym ?
I'm pushing the gym pretty hard now 5 days of 1½hours, 120kg leg presses, various 90kg lifts all 10 reps x5. All the cardio machines are on maximum resistance but the speeds are moderate as I'm working to build muscle rather than stamina which has already returned, but it's important that you learn to listen to your body and recognise when you're over doing it before you over do it. Just slowly but surely. I always remember my first day in rehab and the state I was in struggling just to walk around the gym at a good pace. I will be forever grateful to the nurses that run that.One of my biggest breakthroughs was stopping myself going online and reading everything about it, that's a nightmare. I limit myself to this forum, the BHF and a Canadian heart foundation which is really good for recipes. Too many people online posting absolute nonsense, each contradicting the other, it's not a one size fits all condition.
Yes my thoughts exactly, i need to swerve google at all costs although, it did help me when diagnosing my initial symptoms... anyway your right about the nonsense , why punish yourself into reading what's on there when its available and un moderated to an entire world !!!
Gym talk !! well i was around the 90kg on most lifts rarely trained legs or cardio so i n ow know the importance of training these parts so they will be key prior to any workout once i return, i can remember the day i first trying to walk to the shower in the hospital ... that sucked but yes i cannot thank the nurses , cardio rehab team enough for what they carried out and now im running up stairs, walking 2 miles no bother i just want to get to peak fitness but understand that this will take time and effort , i also wouldn't mind a drink or 3 but worried about how my meds will interact ...
Just go steady, it's not a sprint back to top fitness, more of a middle distance jog. When you start resistance training it really is of paramount importance to go slowly, I was on 20kg for 2 weeks 5 reps x2, 30kg for 2 weeks etc etc. Got to a weight that I was comfortable with, not pushing it, then that weight stays the same and I built up by 1 additional rep every 2 weeks up to 10 reps, then x3, x4 then x5, that's what I'm staying at. Have one of your rest days after each resistance training day, very important to let your body recover. If you feel strain you need to reduce the weight and or the reps. IT'S NOT A RACE! Speak with your doctor about it before you start, let the instructor in the gym know you're a heart patient and carry your GTN with you every time.I have a liking for malt whisky and do take a measure now and again. I did like a nice dark Scottish beer and still do, I take these in moderation, maybe a couple of beers and a couple of whiskies maximum per month, I really appreciate them more now than before. It has no interaction with my meds, but I really do limit it to one at any time and often go several months without. Be aware that alcohol raises blood pressure.
I’m still doing cardiac rehab , and also doing gentle circuits at my local leisure zone . How do you know if you’re overdoing it ? I’m scared if I get too out of puff , but know I need to work through it and challenge myself if I want to get fitter if that makes sense . My rehab finished in 2 weeks and than I plan to do some training with a personal trainer
if you can still hold a conversation whilst working out your in the green zone, for now that should be enough , will obviously increase as your fitness reaches higher levels , so you can work harder and still have a chat , if that makes sense. im 45 6 2" and 14.5stone so my optimal BPM when at rehab was 104-120bpm thats what i aimed for. and when i go on daily walks i also aim to get to 104bpm at certain points like climbing hills etc
You’ll know if your over training , sleep can be affected , fatigue in the day , irritable , feeling low instead of bubbly and energised, not wanting to train . As long as you’re recovered between sets and sessions. Probably not a good idea to go balls out on any drills , 2 reps in reserve for resistance training , knowing you’re heart rate levels and wearing a chest strap monitor while doing specific cardiac training helps me 👍🏻.
It takes time, it's important you don't rush and everything must be progressed in small increments. Speaking or whistling is a small test whilst you train, get your breathing up but still manage to whistle or hold a conversation at the same time, if you can't, slow things down, no gasping for breath. I always aim at feeling invigorated immediately after, not tired and needing a rest. Your rehab clinic should have given you a target heart rate, stick to it. Most equipment in the gym have intergrated heartbeat sensors.
Hi, sorry to hear you been through all that I had massive HA in 2021 consultant told me he nearly lost me I had a stent put in. I didn’t have rehab because of COVID I had a nurse calling me whenever they could. But for 3 months I just couldn’t get my head round the whole thing why did I have it I walk everywhere eat well no heart problems in the family but it was in the night that got me I was afraid to sleep in case I didn’t wake up it was awful time. But then I went on BHF site I did a plan for myself ie some walking went to the gym on a health program and also got loads of lovely advice on this site that really helped me. It nearly put me back when I saw a consultant I never even asked him anything but he said have I got a crystal ball no I haven’t so how would I know how long you got to live with that I just stood up and left him there. You will be fine it’s a shock you just need to accept it happened you are alive and you will get through it. I wish you all the best I know you will be fine. Take care of yourself.
Your consultants attitude stinks . I don’t think they realize the impact a cardiac event has on a person mentally . To them you’re just another number , but to the person living it it’s different . Glad you came through it and wish you well
No they don’t realise because it hasn’t happened to them. That’s why I walked out and did my own thing I feel so much better mentally and physically. I wish you well you are going to be fine. Take care of yourself. Let’s us know how you are getting on.
Hi, I went through exactly what you are going through so can relate to your feelings. I had a HA in 2011 at the age of 44 and had a stent fitted in my RCA which was 95% blocked. I thought the world had ended at 44 and didn't even know what a stent was. I thought I was going to have open heart surgery!.
The first few weeks following the stent and the introduction of drugs didn't sit well with me and they had to take me off statins as I couldn't function. The mental side of it was even worse I was afraid to be left alone incase I had another HA and nobody would be around to save me. This for me was really hard to cope with and took me about 2 years to overcome. I think at the time there wasn't groups like this to read and ask questions. I did cardio rehab but then I was on my own apart from the annual check up. I suffered with panic attacks which I never had before and had numerous false alarm visits to the hospital.
As time went by I accepted what had happened and got on with life which I realised I was lucky to be living. Then in 2018 I started with chest pains whilst towing my little dogs in the trailer on the pushbike so decided to visit the doctors. They said they didn't think it would be cardio but you find that you monitor yourself more closely than before, so I insisted on a visit to the hospital. The angiogram proved that I was right and had narrowing an another artery and slight narrowing in another. 5 more stents later I was out. This time the mental impact was minimal as I has been there before. Onwards and upwards to July 23 when I had pain again towing the dogs (maybe shouldn't tow the dogs!) in France in the motorhome. Didn't want to end up in French hospital so dashed back to Uk and another Stent was put in my RCA through the one that was fitted in 2011 to open a narrowing above and below that stent. This was 48mm long!!. The old stent was good but it was decided to put a long one through to sort above and below out. By this time I was a serial stenter and off I go again. A bypass was discussed but they decided it wasn't required.
New Years day 2024 hello chest pain (this is not funny now) off we go again and another stent in the RCA but lower down than the last one (I can only assume that this was missed in July). So I'm 8 stents in and fighting fit again. I try and keep fit and in 2019 I started running and did couch to 5K and kept running on occasion afterwards. I"m 5'8" and 11 stone. My father passed at 53 in 1993 with heart attack in his sleep, and my younger brother also had a HA at 44 and has a stent.
I haven't wrote this to worry you but hopefully show you that you get used to the problems and get on with life which is very precious. Up to my HA I lived to work since then I work to live. Bought a motorhome that we couldn't afford and get away as much as we possibly can,which is most weekends.
My advice to you and anyone who is going through this is, try and relax and enjoy life but you know your own body, so if you think something isn't right then go and get checked out. Nobody will shout if it's a false alarm, and believe me I have had quite a few since 2011. I really hope that you can pick some positives from my essay 🤦♂️ and wish you health and happiness going forward 👍
You actually made me chuckle when you send serial stenter , as it sounds as if you have learned to develope a good sense of humour about it all , even though you’ve had a horrendous journey . Do you know if the rca is more prone to blocking than others , as mine was 95% blocked same as yours . Only 1 stent , but worried it could block again . Mine was 3 months ago
I don't know if the RCA is more prone to narrowing but that was my first stent.
After all the stents I have had over the years. I look on them as a saviour and without them I wouldn't be here. So for that I am very grateful for todays technology which sadly my father didn't experience.
I look on life differently since 2011 and appreciate things more.
It’s always there but I have come to the conclusion that I could ruin the rest of my life worrying about it, so what’s the point. I am 9 months since HA I too think mine was caused by the stress of work although now think there is a family history too. I just treat it as a joke much to my husbands annoyance.
I have to confess I can be heard ask frequently “look at that person they look like a HA waiting to happen”. “But I bet they haven’t.
I think the thing which has helped me most is taking up running with the C25K program. It slowly builds up in a structured way and this leads to confidence in your ability to increase the level at which your heart works. It really helps mentally as well.
I had angina back in 2011 and very soon after had a stent placed to open up a severely blocked LAD. I was worried at the time but the anxiety lessens as time passes. I hope it is the same with you.
Last week I became old enough to get the state pension and I intend to stick around to receive it for a few years yet.
Hi Matt like others I also found the psychological side hard even though i did not have a heart attack. It must be harder for you with a young family. I agee with a lot of the comments you have had. I had a meeting wit the cardiologist 3 months after my stents werr fitted at which he gave me the all clear. He reassured me there was no sign of the stent blocking which helped with my anxiety. A couple of years on the mental side has improved but I still get scared pushing myself on parkruns etc.
Good to hear you are doing the meds, exercise and diet. I wondered if you you have been able to manage your stress, particularly work stress?
As I am now in much better health than before my stents were fitted my wife finds it difficult understanding my anxiety so we have needed a few chats to explain why am anxious.
My husbands always moaning about me being paranoid about my stent , but he can’t u derstand as he’s not the one living with it , that’s why I like this group so much , because we all get it . All members of an club we did t ask to join
I’m 12 months on from my sudden out of the blue blocked artery. I lead a very healthy life style. So its a massive shock
I and many others on here have felt and still feeling the feelings you mention. Hyper sensitive to any pain anywhere. The impending doom and depression. Also a few more trips to A&E with false alarms.
It doesn’t help that your body is still getting used to all the medication.
Going to the gym definitely builds confidence in your heart’s capabilities.
It’s definitely a battle and you will learn to control the paranoia and panic. Which will occur less and less.
Stay strong and keep talking and asking questions.
You are feeling exactly the same as we all have when any of our cardiac issues happened.It's part of the process and totally normal to feel a bit paranoid , inconfident, depressed and worry that you could have it happen again.
At first, every ache or pain, especially if it feels similar to chest pains before your HA is something bad happening again, it sends us into a tailspin because in reality we all suffer a certain amount of health related PTSD after a big health crisis.
Be positive though. It takes time to recover but as long as you pace yourself , listen to your body for when it's ready to go or needs a rest, follow the heart friendly lifestyle and learn to relax , desensitize yourself to certain things and retrain your thoughts about your heart problem towards the positive, you will become one of the positive contributors on this forum in the future too.
Talking to others about how you feel , especially through writing posts here to people whom understand what you are going through and reassure and advise you is a great way to start , so well done to you for being brave enough to reach out for help.
Congratulate yourself for each small step you make, like getting back to work remotely, or managing a short stroll.
Learn some simple reminders to say in your head to help you to stop overthinking or dropping into negative thoughts. Sit back , breath, count to ten , then tell yourself , " You're overthinking it again, " or " Avoid the rabbit hole , Mate, breath and think positive"
Desensitize yourself to the aches and pains unless they become persistent they can be part of the healing process or just like they were before , normal aches and pains. Think , did I do or eat something that brought that on, or am I feeling more stressed and my body is asking me to get calm again. Try a bit of distraction with a relaxing thing you enjoy and some deep breathing exercises to help it.
If you think you know what triggered it , like a food, drink or just trying to push your exercise or work too long or hard , avoid the stuff that did it or remember to roll back your activity a bit and pace yourself again.
You can also go to a GP and ask to be referred for a CBT / Desensitization course on the NHS for people coping with mental health changes after illnesses, the waiting list can be long but it's worth taking part in to learn these practical techniques, You can also be referred for Talking Therapy to help you cope with how you feel after your heart attack, and if you've got one near to you a face to face BHF support group can be a great place to find people going through what you are and learn how to cope with them. If a face to face group isn't available find a online group instead.
A BHF group can also give advice to you about local physical activities that help, they help you get used to going out and about with social trips and events, and you can also refer yourself to local physiotherapy for continued Cardio Rehab with that professional support if you haven't had it , or your original rehab has finished but you still don't feel confident yet.
Don't be afraid to tell you friends and family how you feel too. For them , they can only see the positives, you had a heart crisis and survived m they didn't lose you, you are getting better physically they can only see the good , so don't realise that you are actually still going through recovery , mentally and physically, and might need a bit of extra support.
They don't know unless you tell them. Don't worry about worrying them, they'd be more upset that they didn't know you need some help.
Just use simple , honest positive words and explain how you are feeling and it's going to take time for you to get passed that and ask if they can help you do that by listening or distracting you when you having a Meltdown Moment, or understand if you aren't doing all the things you did before yet, it occasional feel the need to cancel something, rest or have a quiet day.
People do get it and they will do what they can as long as they know what to do.
You will get there , and deep down you know it , it's just learning to keep those negative demons whispering in your ear that takes a bit of time , take care , Bee
you are100% not only in this . I had my stent in January and I’m still paranoid . The cardiac rehab helps a lot as it gives you the confidence to expercise without thinking your goi v to keel over and die . As you say any ache in your or chest , or even if you just feel tired you think the stents blocked . I have days where I fel physically well and other days , where I feel I e had the stuffing knocked out of me . You’ll find this group helps a lot as we all have been through it some way of another . Wish you well
mine was fitted in jan too ... im off to my extended cardio rehab session today as i have finished my standard 8 week sessions, im the same days where i feel well then days where i feel so tired but thats no doubt down to the medication.
im sleeping a lot more than prior to the HA but i was vaping a hell of a lot and this is a stimulant so probably was keeping me awake a lot longer.
I'm trying to get into that F$%^& it attitude , I'm exercising , eating more healthy not vaping or drinking (which i will do eventually, drink that is) I'm doing everything i can to eliminate risk , my friend hes about 12 years older than me had a full blockage, stent fitted and is back socialising , hes soooo normal, however us over thinkers this is our worst nightmare .. but should it be... we had a warning, we were repaired and also checked out and no other work needed, some slight furring but nothing out the ordinary at 45, i was once a ticking time bomb like so many others must be, so surely we should be thinking phew ... we are cool, we know whats going on and we should just move forwards in life enjoy time with loved ones and friends as we all know life can be very different at the drop of a hat ..... have a good day and weekend and long healthy life Stent2024 .......
Lets keep this thread going , it helps with recovery , low times and moments of doubt , also great to hear any stories of huge success in regards to exercising, 2k,5k,10k,marathons post away
It sure does . I’ve never been a person who struggles with mental health , always just crack on with things , but get some Mornings where I don’t feel great and get fed up of taking the meds I could have a cry , as well as the constant fear of it happening again , but than have a get a grip conversation and move on . My brother had stent 5 years ago and slight stroke year after but he’s still here , so gives me hope
im the only person in my whole family to ever have a stent , so not genetics, i think its stress but i dont understand how stress causes a heart attack , i could google it but no thanks...
Hi Matt, I had Nstemi heart attack and quadruple bypass surgery july 2023. Was fit and strong prior , frightened the hell out of all my mates as I was the fit one 🤦🏼🤣.. aged 61 I was still lifting weights , only started agrd 56.. in the 8 months post surgery I’ve had a great recovery for about 4-5 months. Then had aches and pains, cognitive impairment, felt cold , ED .. felt awful . GP agreed to stop taking statin for a trial period , felt great for a month , resumed my rehab and 5k training , even did a 10k trail run. Back on a 2nd statin and within 2 weeks similar side effects , now trying a 3 rd statin. Rehab isn’t always linear . I also felt that I’d let the side down after my heart attack. Even though I was fit and strong I think I drank too much when I did drink , loved going out with mates having a day out on the lash or sitting round my farm drinking and playing music into the night outdoors, brilliant. I’ve made small tweaks to my lifestyle, focusing on cardio rather than Jim Wendler 5/3/1 weight training , physically work hard round my farm , sweat every day , challenging yoga classes twice a week . I have turned into food police , no ultra processed foods , make my own breads , less salt and no sugar than mass made packet bread . Cook meals from scratch , occasional meal out when celebrating with family birthdays etc. No binge drinking , 4 pints in a day max , it doesn’t go well with the meds anyway , feel shite after and I dint want that anymore. I was back on my motorbike after 3 months , taking my big bike lessons at the moment. Life goes on and I’m rinsing it. Rugby matches , live music gigs , plus taking it easy and trying not to stress about stuff . The fukc it bucket gets used quite a bit 🤣. Also , my daughter told me to generate my own weather system , make it as sunny as possible , that resonated with me and made me realise that I have to own my situation and not make it miserable for others . Talking about it is very therapeutic.
You are certainly amongst a great group of people here , all on different journeys and finding our ways but sharing some great experiences and information that may help. Here’s to your rebirth Matt, that’s how I see it. Don’t rush back to the kebabs and booze 👊🏻👊🏻👊🏻
Love this mate, im a big biker too sold mine for now though but looking again fancy the CB1000R --- mod 2 tests are easy mate ... i have literally just got back from my first training session outside of the hospital, feel great worked hard and going to stick with it for a couple of months until im ready to start introducing weights again... same here though weekends on the lash upto all sorts, did it for years, haven't touched a drop for 3 months apart from the zero's .... which i cant fault the guinness my tipple... im hoping my recovery keeps going this way as im really starting to feel the benefits , ive erased google from my life unless im searching for something that can only end with a happy result ...
I’m in Headcorn , Kent Ride out to the Marsh & coast. , through the rural lanes to Rye, Hastings , Dungeness, Folkestone, Deal etc. it’s cracking . Also love the Guinness zero 👊🏻👊🏻👍🏻 But enjoy a good ale every now and then 🍻. Sounds like your on point now Matt, it’s been a good thread , plenty of positives all round . Let’s keep it going as you suggested earlier 🤣👊🏻. Been looking at the T120 Bonnies , Speedmaster but not sure on fireard controls , can’t wait to throw a leg over 🤣
Wow you've had a journey. I found I couldn't take any of the statins as they made me feel awful. I went through them all, I am on Bempedoic acid now which is similar but not a statin. I also might be going on Inclisiran which is an injection every 6 months.
Thanks so much for sharing , I will keep all this in mind if I struggle with Rosuvastatin 👍🏻👊🏻
Omg, I'm a bloody numpty.
Massive Apologies Matt, I read your title as 45 and stent, the HA bit just didnt register, so Apologies as my response said consider yourself lucky you didn't have a heart attack.
The positive points of my post still stand as I today I did gardening with my daughter, potted flowers, sat in garden with a beautiful IPA and was forced to listen to Taylor swift ( actually shes is good).
A well respected cardiologist on YouTube who actually phoned me one morning said to me when I was thinking about my wife, my daughter ( 9 years old) , my dad who had just had his second heart attack, thinking to myself is this it? am I doomed to a crap life?
he said
"don't think of this as the end of life, doom and gloom, look at it as a car accident in which all occupants walked away, with no life ending injuries but with the capacity to recover ,live on and continue driving , you could die tomorrow from anything, a car, a fall, an asteroid, but you don't dwell on it, move forwards, take this as a blessing, a second chance and make positive choices in life, enjoy life, love life, take notice of life"
have a solid recovery Matt and once again apologies
That's a very normal reaction. I had a heart attack 5 years ago totally out of the blue, no warning signs, just horrific indigestion for 3 days before my arm started to tingle and I rang 999. Two s tents fitted. I still have two blockages around 65% that didn't get stents. Although the initial fear has stopped, any indigestion or chest pain starts me wondering. If you are getting rehab, that's the best thing there is for your confidence. They wouldn't even let me try because I use a wheelchair. Have you tried counselling like CBD? It doesn't wo rk for everyone and depends on the person you speak to. I would suggest first, a talk to your GP and ask him to explain everything like how your other arteries are and how your medication is helping. Once you understand how and why it happened you should find it easier to deal with.
They've found a problem and you've been given a second chance to live a much better life.
Thank you - yes a second chance indeed , im walking , training and getting on with life, cholestoral is now down to 3.2 was 5.2 , still normal i know but just to be on the safe side, ive had 2 glasses of wine in 3 months , so desperately want my old life back now so just going with the attitude , it is what it is and crack on.
there must be upper body cardio you can carry out to get things moving
Tried to find that 5 years ago. It took 2 years to find a group that did seated rehab but they weren't qualified in cardiac. It was the mental side of it I wanted- to know I could do things without having another HA. I found out just last year when I spoke to the head of rehab, the reason I wasn't allowed. It was purely the personal bias of the nurse I saw. If I'd seen someone else I'd have been fine and allowed to try at least to see what I could manage.
That is shocking , I'm now at extended rehab and had my second session last week, whilst I'm 40 years their senior they are very fit elderly individuals, which one did let out , not everyone comes here or is asked to carry on, which i found a little odd. so maybe it is biased and personal... however i was always pushing myself as hard as i could , yet being in a wheel chair really shouldn't limit your options, "When" i have my lottery win , i will set up a funded rehab charity that open up these places all over the UK, ive spoken to many who just don't have the facilities near them to accommodate them or there rural locations.. maybe an online course that's broadcast once twice a week live from a facility ... whilst im grateful for the care and work they did on my , i do feel the after care a rehab facilities are lacking .
I completely agree.For me, it's not so much the keeping fit but the mental support that's essential. Being able to do things under supervision does so much for your confidence and allows people to move on from what was a traumatic incident. To realise a heart event or operation isn't necessarily the end of the world, but a chance for a new start with probably less risk than they had before. Luckily, after the shock in the first week , I was able to get my head round it and coped better than my husband did. Cardiologists do their job a bit like plumbers unblocking your pipes but that's where they leave it. So much more is needed.
I had a 100% LAD Stemi and 3 stents at 44 and was someone who was always glass half empty. Post HA, it was the one area of my life where I went glass half full.
I really pushed myself to getting back to good fitness having left it lapse for over 15 yrs. Starting running and completed runs of 10k within 7 months.
The anxiety will subside over time. I remember regularly getting tearful when I was alone. This would happen multiple times a week, then weekly, monthly and then lately hardly at all. I'm 11 years post HA and loving life. Still religiously taking my meds and after being in a desk based role for the previous 14 years since my HA where my fitness dropped off, I'm in a new active job where my exercise and fitness has been ramped up.
I feel blessed to have had such a good recovery and still listen to the words of the cardiologist who said that I must have had an angel.sitting on my shoulder when having the HA.
Don't fight the feelings, it's natural and they will subside and disappear over time.
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Singing After stent fitted.
Advice for s newbie post HA & Stent
First intervention and stent possibly not solving things?
Exercise post HA (four years ago)
Excercise love hate relationship since HA
