Hi
Had myocardial infarction 5 years ago this month.. I haven't been back to see anybody since being discharged re medication, health etc... is this normal or should I be seeing somebody. Not had any problems (so far) but heard i should be getting an annual check up at least...
you should have had cardio rehab but I expect Covid got in the way of it all.
Regardless, your doctor’s surgery should be reviewing you annually with blood tests. Often this is a nurse or the pharmacist. Your receptionist should be in possession of all the facts and should be able to slot you in with whatever system your surgery uses.
Thanks for quick reply, nobody has contacted me at all, I take it, it's up to me to make the 1st contact... didn't want to make a fuss as I know they are stretched..
I thought the rehab was only for people who had surgery? I was diagnosed nearly 3 years ago that I had had aad a silent HA. Numerous tests followed and initially and although borderline it was decided I should have a triple by pass but an infection stopped it and it's never really cleared. Following an appointment last month it was decided that I would not have the surgery but continue with the medication as I hadn't had any real symptoms such as pain in the chest etc.. Should I have been offered rehab at some point?
Hi Ironfloor, possibly not - in my rehab I only saw surgical cases and stents. It was called stage (or phase) 3. I think stage 1 is the surgery and stage 2 is the hospital based recovery. After discharge we were offered stage 3 rehab. So my stage 3 was attending a group class in hospital, closely supervised, 30mins of light exercise plus warm up and cool down, twice a week for 6 weeks. They made us wear a heart rate monitor and a badge stating the maximum heart rate we were allowed.
After stage 3 you might find you have the option to go onto stage 4 which is a private exercise class in the community, groups of perhaps 20 with a single supervisor, and these often include heart attack cases. Some do these once or twice a week for years. I still go to mine, typically £7/session, if you google cardiac rehab you may find one locally.
Perhaps it varies according to the hospital. And maybe my ideas are out of date!!!
You should have an annual check up with your doctor. Blood tests and cholesterol checked. You should also have had a medication review with your pharmacist, to see if any medications you are taking need changing, reducing or stopping etc. Sometimes we have to take control and push for what is required, whether they are stretched or not! Book those appointments. Good luck.
Hi Digeo, you're clearly a patient patient and old school in terms of not causing a fuss! I see your only other post was three years ago on the same theme.Anniversaries are strange events in that they relate to a calendar, but they are very significant dates. Like you, my health anniversaries are up there in not being able to forget them, like my mum and wife's birthday etc. I have two heart health anniversaries and like you following discharge received no aftercare or follow up, but I am monitored remotely as I now have an implanted device. I was expecting to go back to the hospital after 6 months and my appointment letter arrived. However it said you have an appointment but we don't need to see you. We will look at your data on the appointment day and contact you if there is a problem! Otherwise here is your next appointment we won't see you in 6 months time!
I do think the advice you have received above and you suggested in your first post, having an MOT, is sensible. I can't say for your surgery but they have changed a lot in the last couple of years in having a whole load of skill sets in the practice other than GP's who can perform annual health checks.
An MI isn't a static event in that it is a scar on an ageing heart. Clearly, the medication and your general health have settled after your heart attack and that's really good news, you're doing something right for the last 5 years.
But getting a general health check is something I will be doing annually and my GP practice sees it as part of preventative health care. It found gallstones in me which were severe. I was unaware of before the check out my heart health stuff! I needed a fairly urgent operation as a consequence and was seen in 6 weeks. Who knew, but sepsis was a real possible outcome so I for one will still be having health checks.
Avoid an emergency is my mantra, emergency departments are not good places and much worse 5 years on from your last event!
Yea think I'm old school and don't like any fuss... your right in the anniversary thing, 5 years this month has flown by and I feel fine... suppose I'm just looking for reassurance somewhere but also suppose I should book an mot. Hopefully I've got a few more Decembers to look forward too... thanks for the reply 👍
Had my heart attack March 2021 and apart from an echocardiogram a couple of weeks later I haven’t seen anyone. Mind you I am under the “care” of Royal Shrewsbury. With COVID they even closed cardiac rehab.
Cholesterol check
Annual health ( Cardio ) Check
Check ups after surgery 
Vascular health check 
Heart check up
