hi all
I’m 42 years old and two weeks a go I had a heart attack. I’m still recovering and getting over the shock of what’s happened. I’m still feeling very scared and anxious about everything. From all the medication too a completely different way of living my life. I’m looking for others who are in a similar situation to me and some advice on how to get through this 🥰
bless your heart, your sore aching heart at that. I didn’t realise I’d had my heart attack until an ECG the day after feeling ‘a bit odd’. There’s lots of experience and wisdom and lots of friendship and understanding on here. Well done for joining. You’re amongst friends and will get lots of help and support for you and your family. Take care 🦊x
I think most of us have felt like that on finding something wrong with our heart,
Treatment is very good these days. If you are offered cardio rehab, take it. You meet others in the same position, and a chance to talk about all the issues of meds, diet, exercise, and how to cope with the whole business.
I always recommend looking at the case of James Lovelock. Heart attack in his 50s, died on his 103rd birthday}
Feel free to ask if you have any questions, we can't give medical advice obviously, but can share experiences. 💔
Hello 
I am so sorry to hear you had a heart attack just 2 weeks ago and so many will relate to how you feel including myself
You feel in a bit of a daze and have all these questions running around why me , what if what do I do now how will life be the same the list goes on that is when we need to put the brakes on as it is early days
Of course meds need to come I would say a first I got a pill box you can get them most places and we do my tablets for the week , each day in mine has a morning and evening compartment that way they are done for the week and takes less time every day when you have to take quite a few and also easy to kook and make sure you have not forgotten to take one I find this the easy way to deal with meds
Listen to your body gentle exercise but if you need rest then rest to
The anxiety you are feeling is normal you have had a big shock maybe feel your body has let you down sometimes the mental effects heart attacks can take longer to deal with than the physical ones but you will you need to give yourself time
Once you are back on your feet other than making sure you are eating healthy , try to stop smoking if you do , getting some exercise and if you drink try and stick within the guidelines things really what everyone should be doing everything else you carry on when you are ready just the same as before
You should be invited to Rehab classes at some stage and when you are they will really benefit you as the Nurses will be there and people in a similar situation as well which will help gain your confidence back
Let us know how you get on x
This is such a nervous time for you, but we are here to bring advice , support and tips to make things feel a bit easier in the days and weeks ahead.It can take time to get used to everything and for your body to adjust to the new medications and any lifestyle changes you might feel. So you will feel both physically and mentally wiped out for a while until things settle down.
At this point just take time to breath and recover and to remember how fortunate you were to survive your heart attack and get chance for a new lease of life.
Life doesn't stop after a heart attack and even after heart surgery or a diagnosis of long term cardiac conditions. It just takes a little time and patience with yourself to get used to your " New Normal".
Take some time to read through posts of the experiences of many of our members . Some still go on to doing exactly what they did before or even start getting into sports. Others , have an amazing quality of life doing the things they always wanted to do just with a few adaptions to the speed they live life at and with the medications to help them each day. And let's face it even the healthiest folks in the world usually need to slow down a bit to stay healthy too.
There can be some trial and error finding your right doses of medications, changing some habits and building yourself through rehab and relaxation but the future is still bright.
Take care and post with as many questions as you need to , or just to ask for a few words of support in these early days and you will get there , hugs , Bee
It's a lot to get your head around. You aren't alone, and I found the BHF helpline really useful in the weeks after mine. I was 40 (happened in Jan 23). Be kind to yourself, follow the advice you've been given and you can get through I promise!
Your feelings are totally normal. I had mine NYE and have had 2 stents fitted.
The first time I did normal things like going shopping felt really weird - like a major achievement - not from a physical point if view for me but more on the mental front, wondering if I would be OK. Same when I went back to the golf course, but I made sure I had a good friend pick me up and take me etc....all was fine.
My consultant just said do what you want, but listen to your body....
Good luck
Hi Little-gem42, you have posted on the right group as on here we all have issues one way or another with our hearts ♥️
There will be lots of different thoughts running through your head round and round lots of questions too I would imagine
Listen to your body, and listen to the advice your consultant team & heart nurses gives you
Ask about cardio rehab if you have not already been offered this, and to save time with getting medication together if you take day and night her yourself a pill organiser I have one with 7 days worth one side AM one side PM a lot easier than twice a day in and out of different medication boxes and I make them up once a week.
Please keep us updated on your progress 😊
Although I’m rather older than you my circumstances are similar in a way. Like Bingofox007 I didn’t know I’d had a heart attack.
I’d been in A&E with chest pains in Oct 22. They’d booked an echo for me in May 23. I had felt off during the night before the echo and it turns out that was a silent HA.
I was admitted as a priority patient on the same day and 5 days later had two stents put in. Come discharge and they said no, you’ve got a murmur. Turns out it was a regurgitating valve. Cue AVR & CABG 3 weeks later.
That was June 23. In September 23 I did, for the first time in my life, a parkrun (5 kilometres). Since then I’ve taken nearly 10 minutes off that first time and I’m fitter than I have been for years.
So, at just shy of 72, the bottom line is I’m leading a normal life at the very active end of the spectrum and enjoying every minute of it.
Hi, the way you're feeling is completely understandable.
I had my HA at 45, completely out of the blue. I had been relatively healthy and didn't have any real risk factors, so it was a huge shock to me too.
Spent a week in hospital, no stents, but started on a range of meds which everyone seems to be put on. Mine were blood thinners, beta blockers, blood pressure meds, cholesterol lowering meds, GTN spray and nitroglycerin patch for angina. It took a lot of getting used to. I never had daily medication before, but after a few months, taking the tablets just becomes a routine that is part of life. Over the following 12 months some doses got changed/decreased and some I don't need anymore.
I went to cardiac rehab, which is very helpful, it's good to ask them all your questions too.
I've had to slow down and change how I do some things, but I'm getting used to it.
The hardest part is the emotional side of things, heart events really do affect so much and the emotional impact is often overlooked by medical personnel. So don't be afraid to ask for help if you find that becomes a difficulty for you.
This is all so new for you and a lot to process, be gentle and look after yourself, give yourself whatever you need and come on here and ask anything you like, no question is silly here.
Take care
Hi, it's a really scary time for you right now & it's perfectly normal to be feeling that way. I was scared to go out on my own after I had mine. I live alone too, which made it worse. However, 12 months on I have learned to take the meds, & really try to focus on the lovely things that I can do. I love walking & get out everyday, I did a 9.5mile walk a few weeks back at my own pace & loved every step. I listen to my body & rest when I need to. You do get used to the new normal & hopefully you life will be as good now as it was before, if not better. Please let us know how you are getting on xx
Sorry to hear about your heart attack, but well done for joining this forum. I have not had one, but lots of people on here will say it's normal to feel scared and anxious afterwards, and I'm sure they will be along to say so. In fact, one lady had her HA last year and has just given birth to a bouncy girl!
Oh bless you, that's awfully young. No wonder you're in shock. I was 70 when mine happened completely out of the blue; unexpected, no warning and not even chest pain- just indigestion. I guess it doesn't matter what age you are it's still a huge shock. YOu will find that over the next 12 months your medication will change and won't be the huge bagful you were given. YOu may have side effects from some of them andhey'll need changing but it will all settle down. In about 3 weeks you shoudl hear from teh cardiac rehab team who will give you advice on lifestyle changes and you will go to he gym to do supervised exercise. It will do absolute wonders for your confidence. It will probably feel as if the hospital has just dumped you but it's normal to p ass you to he care of your G P. No one expects hat first heart attack no matter what age but try to look at it this way. You are very lucky. You've had a warning that things were going wrong and you now have a chance to correct it. Many people don't get that warning and chance to change. You will be advised to alter your diet,your weight, your exercise , any smoking or drinking. Not banning things completely but living a more heart healthy lifestyle.
You're one of the lucky ones. It is overwhelming at first to be faced with the fact hat none of us are immortal but you now have the chance to improve your life and live longer. It does get better- honestly.
lots of good advice and I agree with Callie 456 who's circumstances were similar to mine. Best advice I can give is take advantage of everything you are offered - esp Cardio Rehab and if available Talking Therapies - in the early months I had this 'what if it happens again fear' and it was useful to talk this through with someone. I didn't use the Talking Therapies for that long but am still doing my cardio rehab once a week - I love the fellowship and advice/discussions as well as the fitness. One other thing - make notes and keep a diary of your health, BP, Pulse etc in regard to the impact of meds. I started on 2.5mg of Bisoprolol which after a meal was seeing my heart rate fall into the high 30's. I kept a log and discussed this with my practice pharmacist and she changed my dosage to 1.25. Result I felt much much better! Speaking of practice pharmacist, find out if your surgery has one, they are much more attuned to the impact of the prescribed drugs on the body that the Dr's were. IMHO at least. Good luck, stay well and if you are given targets (weight/BMI etc) go for it. You'll feel better as well as feeling accomplished.
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