recently had heart attack and feel alone and don’t know who I am anymore I came out of hospital yesterday after two weeks and I don’t know what to do with myself and feel so weak xx
broken ❤️ : recently had heart attack... - British Heart Fou...
broken ❤️
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Nanny1971
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welcome to the forum, I know it’s not a place you would want to be but it’s some where you can get support and understanding,
When we have a heart issue it’s as if the ground as opened up under our feet, and the life we had has flown out of the window. In a funny way it as, this new life flies in, we now have medication to take appointments to keep. Blood tests, blood pressure all being monitored. But you are here you have survived you have been given a second chance.
There are many members on the forum who have been where you are now, post your questions someone will always try to answer. You are now part of the Hearties community, there will always be someone to give you a shoulder to lean on you are not alone.
Sending you best wishes Pauline.
Hi Nanny! I wholly agree with 080311's beautiful reply. IT DOES GET BETTER! Please ask your GP surgery for access to talking therapy if you need 1:1 support. Keep reaching out, we are all here to help you and reach other. You have had a severe trauma in physical and emotional terms. The body, the mind and your inner soul need to reset to a place where it can feel SAFE and LOVED. Please accept a hug from this veteran of the journey xx
Hello 
I really do feel for you this feels so overpowering as I have been through it myself I had 3 heart attacks and a triple Bypass
I wonder did you have any stents or have you been alright to come out on the medications we mostly are given
At first it does feel like you do not know who you are any more as well as feeling anxious as something we may never thought would happen has and it can feel like your body has let you down and now what are you supposed to do and how are you supposed to live
First think how lucky you are that yes you had a heart attack but they got you and have got your heart maybe better than it has been in a long time
Next your body has been through such a lot and with the medications it has a lot to adjust to and it is quite normal to feel tired mentally and physically you are drained so you need to rest up and allow yourself time to come to terms with what has happened and get stronger
As you start your road to recovery you will be offered Rehab which will give you the confidence to get exercising as well as having the Rehab Nurses there for reassurance and people that have just been through what you have which so many benefit from this and I am sure you will to
With eating healthy and keeping fit so many on here say they feel and are better than they have been in years and there is no reason giving yourself time you will not feel that way to
I hope you have some family and friends who will support you and now you have this Community you will always have somewhere to come and talk and so I hope as you feel alone that now you will know you are not alone you are with others that know what you are going through
Take a day at a time , rest when you need to and allow yourself some time to get strong again and see this as a new start of a new you a better version as you get better
Let us know how you get on x
I see you are called “nanny”. So am I in the right circumstances. And being a nanny means you’ve got people who probably want to help you but are waiting to be asked.
Do confide in your close family about how you are feeling, they can support you emotionally if not physically.
Bless you, I remember that feeling well.I had a HA eight months ago and have a stent fitted. It's been a long, slow job but I'm back to walking around 8k steps most days, back at work full time and feeling better than I have in years.
Yes, there are days when still feel tired and on those days I am kind to myself and my mental health.
You will get there. Go to the Cardiac Rehabilitation classes, follow the advice and you will start to feel like "you" again in time.
Take Care.
C
Good morning nanny, I completely understand how you feel, as will many others here ,I'm 2 and a half years since my heart attack and my life has never been the same since that day .
I've let fear over take rationale thinking , there will be many people here that are happy to talk to you if it helps at all , don't be ashamed of being scared either that's perfectly natural.
Take each day a step at a time and in time you will heal ❤️ xx
hello Nanny1971 nice to meet you. I was 59 when my out of the blue heart attack changed my life. That’s 3yrs ago, I’m still me as you are still you a bit different maybe but time changes us anyway. I don’t work since my heart attack. It will take time for you to build up your strength and the journey is a roller coaster but don’t despair you’re not alone. The people on this site have helped me ( and continue to do so) along this journey.
Acceptance is key- of the new you and the pace that you now have in doing things. I was very frustrated initially as I’d been very active and fit but I gradually learned to do things a bit differently, pace myself and actually it’s allowed me to learn things about myself and life. Slowing down doesn’t mean stopping I’m still very active and what I believe to be fit. On this new journey I’ve met people I wouldn’t have otherwise met and done things I wouldn’t have done if this hadn’t happened.
I’m on holiday at the moment in 31 degree heat I never thought I’d cope with the heat but I am doing. Not my favourite but people here gave good advice on how to manage it.
Sorry for the waffling. Remember you are still you, a bit different and there’s new things to learn. I’ve never liked rollercoasters but I’m still here and giving them a go and most of the time enjoying things. Good luck
Nanny, give yourself lots of time, be patient with your feelings, let them come and they will go. Take the medication, make it a friend. Accept limitations but don’t stop trying. You will feel better in time and learn how to cope with your new you. X
Hi, I was a similar age when I had my HA out of the blue. Take it one day at a time, if you are feeling exhausted and weak, its because your body is healing. Read books, watch movies, do all those things you don’t normally have time to do. As your body adjusts to the trauma and cocktail of meds you are no doubt on, gradually your strength will increase and you will be able to go on gentle walks. Your mojo will return xx
I think we have all been there. You will have to change from your old self because the old self gave you a heart attack and you don't want to have another. Talk your experience out and you will feel better. Start walking daily a bit at a time and build up distance and pace. I remember my first walk hanging into one of my sons and doing about 400 yards. I can walk 10 miles now.
I had difficulties and had to seek counselling and that really helped me stop feeling a victim.
But you'll get there. Grandkids help.
I totally understand…. Am where you are now…. My surprise heart attack was 2 weeks ago (3 stents fitted) am still not doing much as the cocktail of drugs has given me real bad pains in my ankle/foot n knee, struggling to walk…. So laying lots, watching movies , n working with the overwhelming irrational thoughts(as this is an anxiety nightmare)
I’m really looking forward though to the cardio rehab, which I’m awaiting a start date where I’m going to meet others alike n hopefully be doing lots of swimming…
I keep trying to make sense of this all, thinking that my arteries have been clogging up for many years and therefore my heart has probably been struggling for many years without me knowing and then you have the dreaded heart attack…. As the surgeon, so kindly said when fitting my third stent you’re all fixed and you live forever now …. I’ve taken this on board as this is now the new me..
your not alone and this site helps tc
Welcome to our community. Like many of us you have been given a second chance, some are not so lucky, an acquaintance died on Tuesday of a heart attack after feeling ‘off’ over the weekend.
I know exactly what that means. I felt ‘off’ when I had my silent heart attack in May ‘23. I was lucky and I had two stents five days later. But that wasn’t the end, I then had AVR & CABG three weeks later.
Three months after my surgery I ran, for the first time in my life, 5k in an organised event. Eleven months on from then I’m doing a 5k every week and I’m 10 minutes faster. The instructor at my cardiac exercise class (phase 4 level) has said I don’t need to observe any heart rate limits as long as I feel ok.
So, at the tender age of just short of 72 I’m leading a very active and normal life. Not everyone will work as hard as I have to recover but it is amazing what the body can do. Stay positive ….
i can relate , anxiety through the roof. It needs time to heal. Give it a month. Talk to people . Take your time. Find something to do . You need support at this time.
When you feel time is right join in a local activity.
Hi,Having a heart attack is a scary thing!!! It's your heart!!! I've had 3 in the past 3 years then a double cabg last January
My issues were genetic. It certainly does change your life forever. It will take you a wee while to recover physically and longer to recover emotionally!! You will get there though. Just take it easy
Baby steps. One day at a time..just rest ,your still in the early days of recovery.
Yep you’re a Human! Sooo Sorry to hear your story - you’re with friends here and your story is all too familiar. Advise: Give yourself a break, you’ve had an event that challenges everything you thought about yourself and takes up all your thoughts- relax and give yourself some time, do all the right things, take the opportunity for Rehab and slowly you’ll realise you still have Life and the ability to live it - I’m 2 1/2 years on from mine btw - it gets better and you’ll get there - loads of people on here happy to help and support you 👍☘️☘️☘️
I know what you mean.Had a heart attack in March 2024.
Can't get away from the feeling of being in a waiting room, awaiting another.
Had terrible side effects from the medication I'm now on, really very dark thoughts.
I hope you get on with your meds without anything I've been through.
Yes the loneliness is because we are in a kind of Limbo, almost between worlds.
Hopefully for both of us, life will improve.
Xx
Hi it's quite normal to feel like that after what you've been through. It takes time to come to terms with all that has happened to you. Recovery also takes time but make sure you listen to your body and don't over do itI can assure you it does get better good luck
firstly well done you for reaching out. May I suggest considering support from your mental wellbeing tram. I reached out recently and have started working on coping strategies for those moments when “everything and everyone “ becomes juts too much. Early days for me but having opened up I already feel that I have another resource helping. Best wishes
I know how you feel. My heart attack was when I was 51 and the feelings I had following it were just as you describe. They passed and I got confident and started to forget Im not invincible. Im now 70 and had to undergo a triple bypass two years ago similar feelings returned but they are passing again. What I am saying is you will get better but dont ignore or forget what youve had. Try and live a healthy lifestyle and you won't look back I can assure you.
2 an half years post heart attack an stents this forum these guys are fabulous. Don't feel alone work with it listen to your body there's all sorts of shooting pains aches weird sensations. Meds make you run for the loo clog you up make you hot cold clammy. Just carry on being you take your time no rush eat well drink plenty water in time you'll feel so much better. I'm jeff I ride push bikes motorbikes drive coaches buses lorrys an play guitar an vocals in a band takes time nice an steady gentle exercise . I'm 62 have a 11 month old boy a 3 year old daughter two grown up son an daughter in there 30s an 5 grand children . Keep working with it good luck x
I know it's an enormous shock and probably completely unexpected. T O be suddenly faced with the fact that we're not immortal is massive. IT happened to me 6 years ago now. Then they send you home with a huge bag of tablets and absolutely no mental support. Over to your GP. I was lucky I had a lovely GP who sat me down and explained everything including the discharge letter which may as well have been written in latin. Certainly some of the tablets will knock you out but that should wear off. If it continues tell your G P. I never even spoke to a cardiologist. I still don't know who he was even though I had to go back for another angiogram. Please think how lucky you are.. You had a warning that something was wrong which can now be treated. You could have had a cardiac arrest which may have been fatal but you didn't. In about 3 weeks you will be invited to go to cardiac r ehab. You MUST go. It's by far the best thing you could do for yoru confidence and mental health. They won't just give you advice on lifestyle, diet, weight and exercise, they will supervise you closely while you do things and will prove to you what you can safely do. Don't think of it as a disaster, think how lucky you are that they found the problem. There are many people on here who are back at work after heart attacks and many living far healthier lives than they did before. Recovery takes time but you will get there.
We are the same age & didnt want to be a part of this club either. You are not alone & I hear you. Hugs from across the pond.❤️🩹
please don’t feel alone we are all here to support you
I is so hard to deal with everything that has happened mine was 15 months ago and I still struggle everyday
Just post on here someone will make you feel there are ppl out there
