I had a heart attack about 4 months ago, I also quit smoking at this same time.
I just finished cardiac rehab.
here’s my question… physically I feel good. And recently something changed and my chest area just feels different and better.
however, recently I’ve been getting a lot of what I call anxiety chest… it’s where my anxiety typically presents in my chest… but this hasn’t really been accompanied by anxiety as well… I also exhibit no other symptoms of angina or heart attack.
I’ve also had some lungs sensations… where I describe it as it feels like a smoked 20 the night before… but my breathing and everything feels better than ever.
so I’m wondering, and thinking, is this all just still part of the healing process? How long till I just feel normal?
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Purple_Dino
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If you have just finished cardiac rehab they might be the best and easiest people to get hold of. They will know what medication you are on and how well you responded to the rehab.
They will also have experience as to what is normal for your age, heart condition and level of fitness.
yeah I spoke with them yesterday. They have absolutely no concerns… so I just need to get myself sorted mentally it seems.
I was doing great mentally, but not sure if it’s spring or what, but the last week or two haven’t been great mentally and it’s been brought on by various body sensations… could be allergies, could be normal things I just never paid attention to before.
I would say anxiety is mentioned in these numerous threads as often as physical concerns. It might be that some medications cause it but many people seem to be naturally anxious whilst some become anxious following their treatment and imagine every twinge is a heart attack.
I am not particularly anxious myself but keeping busy helps as well as knowing that because your condition is known about and treated, your physical health is probably better than many apparently healthy people walking round, not knowing they have a serious medical condition that one day will cause them problems.
Pollen levels have soared and humidity have been very high recently, either of which is likely to cause breathing problems.
I gave up smoking long before my heart trouble but think it took 6 months before I totally stopped thinking about it. Gets a bit easier and easier every day. Just never put any nicotine onto your system ever again. Gave up once before for 3 years. Had 1 cigarette and was back on 20 a day in 2 weeks. Carried on for another 2 years. Gave up second time 10 years ago and never looked back.
I gave up smoking long before my heart trouble but think it took 6 months before I totally stopped thinking about it. Gets a bit easier and easier every day. Just never put any nicotine onto your system ever again. Gave up once before for 3 years. Had 1 cigarette and was back on 20 a day in 2 weeks. Carried on for another 2 years. Gave up second time 10 years ago and never looked back.
i have my MI in March and also stopped smoking but I’m finding myself having the odd one or two so not doing too great on that front. I also feel much better most days but some days feel a bit breathless and pressure in my back, will we ever feel normal again or is this now the norm.
good morning. I think ‘normal’ changes after a heart event. We’re aware of all kinds of sensations but we don’t know whether they’re ‘normal’ or not. This causes anxiety while we monitor what we’re experiencing at the same time as trying to decide if we need to do something about it. 4 months isn’t very long ago and you’re still getting over the shock.
It is a recognised side effect that some of us quitters get, sadness, anxiety, depression. Our brains are not getting the daily fix of nicotine, so, like any addiction, withdrawal kicks in.
You may not have noticed it so much to begin with, due to your event and concentrating on recovery but now, physically, things have quietened down you are focused on it.
You have been through an ordeal so be kind to yourself but if things get tougher your GP surgery should have a cessation nurse, if not local council or even NHS stop smoking service, although you have stopped they can still give you advice and support to help you cope with the mental health side of qutting.
Good luck, sure you will be fine and just think of not only your body but how much healthier your bank balance will be
I can't add much but I wonder if some of your anxiety comes from having finished rehab and feeling the loss of support. Maybe havexa look at stage 4 cardio rehab courses which will help give you a sense of continuing support. Just an idea as it helped me.
I was anxious for about 6 months after my heart attack then it slowly subsided. I contacted cardiac rehab nurses several times and they were always reassuring and patient. I referred myself for CBT on the NHS. I felt less anxious after 6weeks of face to face hourly sessions. This is 5 years ago so I imagine there will be a longer waiting list now. I also relied on this forum for advice and support. You will start to feel less anxious, just give it time.
Thank you! I know it’s a process… a marathon and not a sprint, and it’s really helpful to hear stories like yours.
Good question. It's something I thought about a lot after my heart attack in Nov 23 ie when will I feel normal.
So 6 months on my personal view is " what's normal, was I ever normal?"
Pre HA I was always stressed, constantly switched on, work on my mind, busy busy ,trying to fit in too much in a day all the time. I looked at others and wished I had a more normal relaxed, less stressful job blah blah blah.
Had the heart attack.
Then all those things pre that became none existent, irrelevant and then my thoughts went to "will I recover, am I doomed, will I have another, is this it?, will I be able to be an active dad,husband, person? , will i be a weak person, is my life as I knew it over?
It took time, I was anxious about every pain in the chest area, I would monitor my blood O2 and blood pressure, 3 times a day, any change would worry me, I would only drive to the very local shops ( just in case something happened), I wouldn't go shopping by myself or like in the past with my young daughter ( just in case something happened), I didn't go anywhere which involved long journeys, visit people outside my home town, go for walks alone, do anything strenuous, didn't want to excericse like i used to, eat a takeaway, drink a beer, didn't like wife going out and me being alone with my daughter.
God there were so many things which made me so anxious it was disabling.
BUT slowly I chipped away at these things, got back to doing things I enjoyed, being a dad, being a husband and being me.
I do have very very rare moments of being anxious but I believe every human has these. My O2 oximeter and blood pressure strap are now gathering dust. I go to gym 4 times a week, I drive, shop, go out with family or myself , been on holiday, back to work, without even a thought.
Yes I'm mindful but not in a way that now impinges on my life. I am a newer version of me , with some new things I need to be mindful of but I have and am learning to accept it and just get on with it.
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