Back to work

[BC4ever]

Hi

I had a heart attack nine weeks ago and have had five stents fitted. Had some problems with side effects with all the new drugs I'm taking, and anxiety through the roof, but generally, I'm beginning to feel much better, provided I don't do too much, or push things too far

I'm worried about going back to my job (my sick note runs out at the end of this month). It's a very physical, fast-paced job, on my feet all shift (no break), with lots of lifting.

At the moment I'm knackered if I do simple things, like hoovering the carpet etc, and I have to sit down and rest for a while. Will I ever get some energy back?

I'm attending Cardiac Physiotherapy, but it's very gentle exercising, and I'm constantly being told not to 'push it too much'.

At the moment I don't feel I'll ever reach my original levels before all this happened. Yet I'm told people can go back to work and lead a relatively normal life! How long does this take?

Any help, advice or similar would be very much appreciated.

Thank you.

[MyHF]

Iv never had a heart attack. Completely different heart event!! October 2022 I was diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy and severe heart failure aged 36. I spent 11 days in high dependency and was told I would never work again!!

4 months of rest and amazing medication and I was told I was as good as out of heart failure!! I’m now 18 months back at work, in a scrap yard as a labourer and feel like I’m shining!!

I’m sure others who have had heart attack will reply soon but the handful of people I know who have suffered a heart attack spent at least 6 months recovering!!

Maybe you should consider taking a little longer if you can?

[Comfycousin1]

I'm not in a physical job but I was off completely for three months and then back on half days for another three months after a heart attack and one stent. Get the gp to extend your sick note. I did. They only give you a short term initially but mine had no issue extending mine.

Are you attending Cardiac Rehab? My nurse advised me to extend it until at least that finished.

Take the time you need!

[Quesswho]

Hi I had a heart attack nearly 4 years ago, I was 63 years old, still at work and pretty active. I had 3 stents, I now also have a leaking valve. I didn't return to work partly due to covid shut down and I could not of done my job. (I worked in a laboratory). I still am struggle with my breathing, and get tired quickly. This may be due to my cocktail of drugs. I'm definitely not me any more. You should talk to your GP, maybe a tweak with meds might help, Also your Doctor can recommend a return to work on reduced hours. I wish you all the best in your journey. ❤

[FakeNews]

I had a heart attack and 1 stent almost 4 years ago. I do a desk job and was off work for about 2 months. It took me a year before I started to feel myself again. Get your note extended.

[fedupoffeelingtired]

speak to your employer they can arrange a staged return to work for you. Starting at a low number of hours with restrictions on what you can do and building up over a few months until you feel more confident and able. This is available for all employees if they tell you it can’t be done take further advice. Good luck with your recovery.

[MountainGoat52]

I would speak to your GP about your concerns. A staged return might be a possibility, it might not. It depends on your actual work and your employer.

It would not be right to return to work without being fully fit as no-one, employer and fellow employees, will cut you any slack.... I'm afraid that's modern society today.

[Cee-Cee1]

Hi BC4 - first of all, a very big welcome to the forum. You'll find lots of information here and some very knowledgeable and lovely people who are more than willing to help with any queries or worries you might have.

After having a heart attack in January 2022, I was admitted to hospital and stayed there until having a triple by-pass five weeks later in February and was able to return home just four days later thanks to the skill and expertise of the amazing surgical team.

I do a desk job, so not very 'physical' and was off work for three months in total, going back in a staged return (four half days a week for a month), and now, two years later, work full days Monday & Wednesday and half days Tuesday and Thursday. If you have a word with your employer, I'm sure they'll do their best to accommodate you in a similar way.

Also, I'm positive your GP will have absolutely no problem in extending your sick note until such times as you feel more able to return to work. Please give them a call, you probably won't even have to arrange an appointment, my GP's surgery organised mine over the phone and posted it out to me. It'll be one less worry for you once you do this.

I feel absolutely fine now, in fact genuinely much better than I did for a few years before the operation. I hadn't actually realised how weary and sore I'd been feeling prior to it and was just putting all the symptoms down to normal aging. It took a good six months for life to feel relatively normal again and really notice how much better I felt. (I actually feel a bit of a fraud still working part-time now, but I'm loving it😆and at 64 have no intention of ever returning full-time! I'll just keep my fingers crossed that my employer doesn't notice how much fitter I am!😂)

It might feel like a bit of a slog for a wee while, but you'll get there, it just takes a bit of time and patience and getting used to the medication! Sending you every best wish for your full recovery. Carol 👍

[Rickstarr]

Hi there, well I had my HA on good Friday this year, I had 3 stents fitted, really didn't feel too bad at all in fact I fel better doing the rehabilitation classes and my own fitness plan ie walking football, as for work I'm an HGV driver I'm 63 and got the all clear to carry on driving again which I'm really looking forward to, the cocktail of tablets I have had no side effects, I maybe lucky, my advice do what you feels right do the rehabilitation and you will be fine, I seem to have more energy these days. Best of luck for you.

[Maisie2014]

if you’ve had a heart attack nine weeks ago you’re expecting too much of yourself going back to work so soon. The cardiac rehab nurses will be able to advise you re Physiotherapy but you should not push yourself too hard. It will take time to get back to the normal you (although you don’t give your age ). I had my HA five and a half years ago at age 68 and it took me ages to get back to normal but I have arthritis so I’ll never get back to normal physically. The cardiac rehab is not only physiotherapy. They give advice and guidance on what happens next and I can really recommend it. Take care.

[Fministry]

Hi, I don’t know which country you live in but could you ask your employer for a ‘phased return’ to work ie working shorter days initially; or ask if tasks can be allocated that are less strenuous; gradually building up. Important to seek your consultant’s or doctor’s advice. Stay positive.

[Jedi14]

I had 6 x stents (2 at a time x 4 visits, first one was just examination). After cardiac rehab my back to work plan. At work I was sent for a phased back to work assessment by the company.

Quite shockingly, I could not lift a10kg weight (no problem before). Immediately a ban on lifting heavy stuff (5kg max), at work, staff made sure I was not lifting on my own! My own thinking was that everything would be fine after 6 months, not so at the assessment! They told me at least a year.

15 months later, the weight ban is still in place, I have had several phone calls to the GP, 3x visits to hospital-now on a new set of meds following various chest pains. I think nearly settled now, but waiting fo a cardiology appointment/review.

[Grassmower]

I was off six months after one stent following uncontrolled angina. I am fine now. Some of that time was probably anxiety slowing my recovery down but I needed that time to calm down and also recover physically.

Its very variable in recovery time. I found the best advice was from the cardiac nurses and the cardiac rehab nurses so I suggest talking to the cardiac rehab nurses next time you go to rehab exercise class.

I'd ask for another sick note from you GP and ask to talk to your manager or HR person at work. HR will know the law and be familiar with dealing with this. It is not unusual to take up to a six months off after serious illness. A staged return to work seems worth talking to your manager/HR person too. Don't rush it, I'd do the whole rehab course before returning to work and do other exercise on other days to see what you capacities are without pushing it too much.