I had a heart attack (Inferolateral STEMI, Primary PCI -OM) and stents fitted three months ago. I just don't feel that I am getting any better really. Have maybe one or two good days a week (if I'm lucky), the rest of the time I feel totally exhausted. And doing any sort of task seems to wipe me out. Is this now the norm for the rest of my life? I read on here of people saying they feel like they have a new lease of life, exercising, playing golf, going to the gym etc! My Cardiac Nurse says I'm doing well - blood pressure and pulse rate consistently good. But my chest feels tight (no pain) and my energy levels seem to be zero. It's very depressing and is beginning to affect my mental health. I'm beginning to wonder if it's my medication, as I've felt pretty rubbish since I started taking it all, to be honest. I'm on: Asprin 75mg, Atorvastatin 80mg, Bisoprolol 1.25mg, Eplerenone 25mg, Ezetimibe 10mg, Pantoprazole 40mg x twice a day, Clopidogrel 75mg, Ramipril 2.5mg x twice a day and a Glyceryl Trinitrate spray.
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I was thinking the same! They are all for my heart, except the Pantoprazole (Hiatus Hernia). I'm coming up to my first full blood test check after my heart attack, so I will discuss it then. Thank you.
After your procedures, were you offered and took part in a local NHS rehab course ? If not, see if there is one available. I found it so good, for general fitness building, so you knew what you were able to do and what you should not do exercise wise.
But, also they went into so much detail about heart attacks, what causes them, what to expect during recovery and what the long term outlook is.
Apologies if you have already taken part in one, just thought I would mention it
Oh, that's a shame. Every week we had a different subject, with videos and questions and answer sessions.
It may be worth speaking with your Cardiologist about the meds and seeing if they can tweak anything. I do remember being very tired in the first 3 to 4 months, but feel much better now. Whether that is me just getting used to the new me or not I am not sure.
I know on the rehab course they explained my new max heart beat is now 30 less than before due to meds, so to protect my heart from being over exercised. This really took some getting used to while recovering. For me it was just a case of learning the new limits and working around them.
Hello there, some of us make a much slower recovery than others, myself included. Take the walking targets they suggest: I was lucky if I could stagger round the garden and needed a long sleep to recover afterwards! But get there you will. We are all different and must listen to our bodies. Plod on
Maybe a review of your medication is due. Quite a few of those you are taking could affect your energy levels. I worked with my GP and later with the Pharmacist at the GP practice to adjust the dosages and actual medications to get a mix that suits me.
I understand where you are coming from when you ask "is this it?" I think the answer is probably No. It will get better, though where you end up, none of us can tell you. Just keep positive and as mesally says, "plod on". In my case I plod up mountains... maybe in time you will too. 😀
Hi, I take aspirin 75mg and bisopropol 2.5 mg in the morning after breakfasts and Losartan 25mg and Atorvastatin 80mg before bed and I had quad bypass in June. I feel quite well. I know we are all different but you seem to be taking a lot, ask for a review.
Hi. All these drugs will definitely cause issues such as tiredness (ezitembe) Atorvastatin Bisoprolol Ramipril Asprin combination gave me pain and was not nice. Do you really need to take so much. You need to talk to your GP. Although it is too early yet as only 3 months have passed. It will get better one they reduce some of them. But you will have to fight your case with the GP if your heart health BP are all good to reduce the dosage.
My STEMI and cardiac arrest was 3 years ago. I like you wanted to be back up and running straight away. The advice I was given on this forum was as follows.
Be patient with yourself it can take 12/18 months for you to feel comfortable with yourself. Over that time you’ll gradually improve and not stay as tired as you are now. Remember if you badly hurt your leg you would rest it. Your heart can’t rest properly so can take longer to recover than other parts of your body. Do what the doctor/ cardiac nurses say, take your meds and accept where you are at present. Go to cardiac rehabilitation. Most of all be kind to yourself and as I say be patient. Good luck.
Talk over your meds with your GP. In my case he total exhaustion was caused by bisopralol. Everyone reacts differently. There are alternatives for everything. It's highly likely to be one of yoru meds causing it. By eh end of he first year I'd had every tablet changed and a lot of hem stopped. I now only need aspirin and a statin. So the answer to your question is NO, that's probably not h ow it will be for life. Your tablets can be tweaked.
Really on Atorvastatin 80 mg and Ezetimibe 10 mg, that's a lot of statin and another cholesterol lower drug. I was on Atorvastatin 80 mg, but caused me awful stomach problems. So the put me on crestor 20 mg along with Ezetimibe. You should get your meds reviewed .
Been there, seen that, feel generally miserable! Now almost a year post stents just getting to grips with leading near normal life. Still got a cardiology review coming up in November as heart condition is still changing.
Compared to people before our time, we get a second chance to live again! Modern technology and meds makes all this possible, but with a catch, ongoing continous monitoring, dietary and lifestyle changes.
Hi, check out the Atrovastatin. I took myself off it after two years. It effected my muscles so badly I was practically home bound. Only off it for 3 weeks and I feel so much better. Perhaps your doc can change it to a statin that suits you better. Check with doc before doing anything.
I’ve had a STEMI and 3 stents 6 years ago. Everything depends on how extensive the damage to your heart muscle is. Mine is very limited, so I started rehab training immediately and was back at my normal exercise level within a month. I take Pravastatine, Ezetimibe, Bisoprolol and Lixiana. Plus supplements Ubiquinol, D-Ribose and L-Carnitine. I feel fine most of the time.
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Has this happened to you?
I'm joining the gym today...
Low Heart Rate (Bisoprolol)
Statins sleep terrors 
Not good in the mornings
