I had a heart attack 28 months ago
i Am having anxiety dreams and nightmares and worries this is pushing my heart rate up in my sleep
eveynight I go to bed worry I will die in my sleep so when I do wake up get up because I think I can do something about it if I fail I’ll while awake
does anyone else feel like this
sorry 18 months ago
Yes, when I first came home after HA and stents I was afraid of falling asleep in case I didn’t wake up. I learnt to focus on people I knew (not read about, so first hand) who had overcome adversity. I guess to take my focus off myself.
I discussed this with my GP and he described it as self-administered CBT. Maybe you should think about CBT.
What is CBT ,please?
CBT - Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
there are several posts each month on similar lines to yours. And they all get replies that this is normal.
Did you have cardiac rehab? As far as I know every cardiac rehab has a session on this. If you were given notes (we were) on exhaustion session maybe you can find these, read them again?
Perhaps - and I stress "perhaps" - you might enquire about being issued with a Holter heart monitor for 48 hours or more. I had one in January after I'd mentioned occasional breathlessness to a cardiologist. I made a point of physically stressing myself twice (including a four-hour walk that took in a steep hill where I was glad to pause to admire the view) and recording these on the log. The cardiologist reported occasional short periods of increased heart rate but, annoyingly, did not say if these related to the stress.
As for dreams, I'm lucky to have mostly ones that seem routine at the time but which I quickly forget. They seem to occur after I nod off back to sleep after awakening around 6am.
Very early morning deep sleep is very normal - you worry about not waking up "on time" then when you wake up you take a few minutes snooze and relax enough to drop right off. Stupidly, it is more relaxing to set an alarm clock either so that you do not worry or so that you can have the few minutes extra! (yep I know this is off track from the original comment, but only a bit)
I get this too think it’s normal do you take anxiety meds I did before I had heart attack six months ago but still get these feelings I think it is more now cause we been through traumatic event maybe more cause of age and going through menopause also I see we are same age I suffer with heart failure type two diabetes anxiety and depression and also every menopause symptom going which now causes me unable to work anymore xx
Yes I do feel like that. I just cannot really sleep. I am fearful going to bed.I cannot really lay flat. I'm so breathless. Even if I do drop off a bout of breathlessness wakes me.
I am desperately waiting for my TAVI but have recently been diagnosed with Myeloma.
Worries about things always seem to come out when we sleep. And either wake up or have nightmares . It's only natural your whole world changed when you had your heart attack. And the fear of dying may not bother you during the day but our minds go into overdrive when asleep .
I take it you are on medication for your heart if so try and relax and trust in them doing their job . Do you sleep alone or with someone ? Why I ask is I have a rare hereditary neurological condition which gave me limb jerks even in my sleep and my husband used to wake me if I didn't wake myself up and hold me until I went to sleep . I have always had nightmares since a child. Since my husband died 21 years ago and the limb jerks were bad I woke up myself or if I had a bad nightmare I used to have my bedside light on so I could get back to sleep.
I didn't worry about dieing in my sleep until I had jaundice in 2017 and was seriously ill for 5 months . Then I worried as my neighbours wouldn't care if I had been dead a week. But my children text everyday to check on me .
Took moving over 100 miles to the north west to have my heart condition diagnosed my old GP never sent me to see a cardiologist. Found out I was born with small hole in the side of my heart in 2020/2021 and had PAF and on medication . My old neurologist could have had my whole genome genetically tested and put me on Clonazepam but didn't . Thankfully the healthcare here is excellent. My neurologist put me on Clonazepam January 2020 stopped my limb jerks within 2 weeks after having them since 1988 and no seizures .
I didn't know until my gastrologist discharged me in 2017 that people with my bilirubin levels normally died. Having jaundice was my wake up call my life had to change . Being so ill with jaundice plus my usual limb jerks constant pain I had been in since a child and my daily falls . Finally had no one dependant on me so I was free to live my life .
My husband died in 2004 from cancer aged 47 and half of me died to. I no longer had a life I just existed . My house was just a house no longer home . Had 3 parents to look after until they died but was on call 24/7 . Mom last to died in 2017. I didn't realise how much my health suffered. I got very ill 2 weeks after her funeral just thought my body needed to rest I couldn't see I was yellow. The jaundice was caused by 2 tablets I had been taking since 1992 to help with my symptoms. But my GP didn't bother having regular blood tests done and didn't see another neurologist until late 2017 after my jaundice.
I decided what I wanted out of life it was only 3 things ,move,lose weight I was over 19st and get fit .
Look on your heart attack as a wake up call and decide what you want out of life . Don't dwell on dieing but what do you want your life to be . Are there things you want to change in your life if so change them it's not easy but if you have a goal or goals then you focus on them . I always find a positive from a negative can be something silly but I always do it .
I won't live with what if's or if onlies since my move here in 2029 I live my life to the full. And I lost 7st ,moved like I said and do daily exercises since 2018 when I joined my first exercise class. I go to sit fit on Monday,today is move it or lose it class. Craft group once a month. Up to 400 rotations on my static pedals a day.
Had a week in hospital in January which meant I could no longer go to my weekly craft group as it was a 4 hours round trip including waiting times for buses and trains . So it wasn't worth it for 2 hours lesson . But found my monthly one .
I still grieve for my husband everyday and it's gotten worse every year but I promised him I would live the best life I can . Since moving here I do .
Live your life to the full it's not easy with health worries but I promise it's worth it . And if you are focused on doing what you want and achieve it you will stop worrying so much and sleep better.
I do ramble on and my mind does wonder about hence this is disjointed. Hope it makes sense . 😊
It makes a lot of sense. Sometimes we all need a good old ramble.
Sounds like your husband would be proud of you and very happy that you keep pushing upwards and onwards!
Just a quick ps, I hope that the move goes well in 2029!!!! 
Thank you . As usual what is in my head doesn't always end up what I write . I moved here in 2019. 🤦🤦🤦🤦
Waiting on bypass operation at the moment. Always wanted to move to the coast to improve my view on life - maybe I will one day.
Hope everything goes well with your operation and recovery . Moving to the north west changed my life for the better. I live now no longer just exist . 😊
If you are on Beta blockers they can cause nightmares
I was going to ask that…bisoprolol gave me the most horrendous claustrophobic nightmares…..
Hello! I’m sorry you are still feeling this way after 28 months. That’s a long period of suffering! Are you on beta blockers? They can cause nightmares. If you are, a change of drug may help. In the meantime there’s a fantastic book I read about someone who overcame a severe cardiac issue and is still alive today despite all the odds. It gave me hope and is extremely uplifting. You may like to read it. It’s called “The Unexpected “ and is available from her website KayteAlexander.com
Try to focus on the positive too. You have survived the heart attack, each day is a blessing. Try to find something fun to do each day and celebrate. And lastly watch or listen to comedy before going to bed. It works wonders. Have a lovely day. My best wishes to you.
anxiety is common with people after a ha. I was on edge until I got out and about.
Having other people around you helps, they can keep their eye on you.
You do realise that the meds we are given can cause us to have some wacky dreams etc. So best thing is to ignore those dreams.
Just to add my dreams are way more intense than before and sometimes leave me very anxious and it seems most likely caused by Bisoprolol. I am finding that regular meditation is helping a lot - maybe that is something you could explore?
I had bad dreams nearly every night, dreams that made me anxious , but one of the effects of the medication we are on is they can give you bad dreams!! Strange isn't it, you need to keep yourself calm and avoid stress yet the medication causes anxiety!! The doctor changed my meds, though still get dreams, not quite as bad . It's a known side effect
I had a ‘widow maker’ 7 years ago. EVERY night since then I have had crazy, horrible dreams. Unfortunately until research is carried out on this subject you’ve got to live with it. My cardiologist (more letters after his name than there are in Borrusia Munchengladch) claims that he’s never heard of it. My GP laughed when I told her! But don’t worry, I know it’s quite common and obviously something to do with our meds. It’s so unpleasant and you go to bed every night knowing it’s going to happen. But as I say, don’t let it get you down. We’re both still here to tell the tale ;))))
Vivid dreams / nightmares can be a side effect of Carvedilol if you are taking it. Best to try and deal with it first as it is the best med to be on - others can be worse if you are this way disposed. Anxiety I found was a bit of a left over natural after shock from the triple bypass experience - not that it was bad but it does take it out of you and leaves a touch of anxiety. I hade to sleep in a recliner for quite a few weeks after for a few reasons - back of the mind anxiety might have one but mainly pain in back from the drains. Just try to stop thinking too much and relax, try a natural sleep remedy or anything other than moving away from Carvedilol if you take it otherwise think happy thoughts the mind is the most powerful tool there is.
Yes you're not alone,like another forum member mentioned CBT will help (Silvercloud is good), it's helps with these normal but intrusive thoughts we're experiencing after a significant life event, it's helping me 3 months post HA. I have a very trigger happy hiatus hernia whose symptoms when it's upset mirror the symptoms of another HA. CBT has helped me recognise and accept this is what is happening in these moments, that rationally it's a digestive rather than a cardiac one, our minds are powerful things that don't always feed us the right information unfortunately.
How do you know it's pushing your heart rate up? Are you wearing a watch? If so take it off and hide it. Things like that only exacerbate anxiety. Constantly checking your heart rate will only cause more. Ask your GP t o point you in he right direction to get some counselling. Also consider that one of your tablets could be causing the bad d reams
Hey Disney1971,
I'm so sorry to read this, sleep is meant to be our restorative time of our 24/7 lives and I understand when that just isn't... but it has a knock on effect for our heart and all over body inflammatory etc conditions, as I'm sure you know...
I just wondered, are you on any medication for other conditions such as fluoxetine? Or similar? Reason I ask is I had the worst nightmares ever on it, when given for my Raynauds etc.. but I know it isn't good for those with heart conditions (although I was prescribed it with AF and aortic regurgitation!) but just thought I'd check.
Please contact your GP and/or Heart consultant asap to discuss what you are going through - and stress that you know this lack of sleep/anxiety etc isn't good for you at all.. to say the least. They must discuss with you urgently I think, rather than say "it's normal" (which I don't presume they'd say if they have any understanding of health and heart conditions, especially such as previous heart attacks), and make a plan for you to help you regain your restorative, much needed calm, deep sleep. All of the suggestions such as CBT etc are really helpful - and you can probably get some more advice from the Heart Foundation as they have a helpline, yes? Are you signed up with them to receive their regular magazine? Lots of useful articles from patients going through the same thing. You are indeed, not alone, but you really do need to get your sleep back on track of course - so please contact your GP and/or consultant today, and ask for an urgent review... In the meantime, there are tons of articles on this sort of thing on the web on Heart but why don't you call a Cardiac Nurse through the Heart Foundation website, presuming you are in the UK, of course? bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...
Hoping you get the help you need asap.
Best wishes
D
Hi Yes, I also had bad dreams after my heart attack two years ago. A friend recommended I try REIKI Treatment. Which is a safe no hands on Japanese treatment for anxiety and other ailments. I have RECOVERED from negative feelings. I was actually having panic attack that resembled heart attacks and had to go to A&E several times due to high blood pressure. I also learned how to meditate from this same lady who treated me. My sessions cost me £55 for an hour. I had one each week for 3 weeks, then I moved to one a month and now have one when I get the feelings come back. Its a very relaxing feeling and I now feel in control of my life. How I explain it is just lying in a warm room and you get some tingly feelings as she works around you but there is no massage or intervention at all. I highly recommend to try it, the Doctor offered me anti anxiety medication but I did not want to take more meds. Good Luck
I commisserate, anxiety and anxiety attacks are part and parcel of the illness and having a heart attack or similar are, in many ways, unlike any other kind of illness, even cancer as it's the unpredictability, not the illness itself that causes the anxiety. I've been living with it since 2012 when I had my first HA and all I can say is that over time, you just get to accept it as there's nothing you can do about it, except get on with your life, what other choice do you have? I think getting involved with other things, whatever they are, is really important and try not to dwell on it. Unlike you, my anxieties were all day time events, sleep, perchance to dream, is an escape.
It seems that you're most concerned that your heart rate will increase sufficiently to give you a heart attack in your sleep. Thing is, if you are on heart medication and it is working OK during the day, it isn't going to stop working just because you are asleep. It is important for heart health that your heart rate does rise when your heart is put under stress, that's a sign of a healthy heart, just so long as it falls quickly afterwards. So, a raised heart rate in itself is not a bad thing.
Unless your heart is in pretty bad shape, having bad dreams wouldn't be likely to induce a heart attack straight off. You would be more likely to be woken with discomfort or angina pains before you had a heart attack if your heart rate gets raised to dangerous levels. Obviously, that is my opinion as a fellow hearty, not a medical diagnosis.
I'm not discounting the overwhelming effect of bad dreams, goodness knows I am just as prone to them as any other hearty. But I recognise that it is partly my subconscious trying to make sense of what has happened to me. Any heart issue affects us on a really deep level, which we don't necessarily recognise.
I have to say that 28 months is a long time to try and deal with this alone, very tough. A number of people have mentioned CBT, and I have found it very helpful. We all come to conclusions about things that happen based on what our life experience to that point tells us is true. Something happens > we process it according to what we believe > we react emotionally.
Most of the time, this is subconscious, so our reaction is automatic. What CBT does is help us see that our experience has caused us to come to an unhelpful conclusion about something. We can then decide to change what we believe, and our reaction to it will change. Where this may help you is that you currently believe that you may die because your heart rate rises when you are asleep, which then causes you anxiety. If you no longer believed that, there would be no reason to feel anxious in case it happened.
In my area, Hampshire, I was fortunate that there was a CBT self-referral phone service when I needed it, although I was told about it by my GP. Hopefully, your GP can point you in the right direction. Sorry it's been so long-winded, I hope some of it helps.
Paul
It's completely understandable that you have been traumatised by your experience. Nightmares are a common symptom of on-going trauma ( read around PTSD). You really may benefit from trauma focused CBT ( as mentioned in previous posts). Contact your GP, they can put you in touch with your local ' NHS talking therapies ' services. It's free but there are always waiting lists. Your GP may be able to suggest some private options or you could look for a therapist using the British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists (BACP) Web site. You can resolve this but you will probably need to get professional help to give yourself the best chance. Start with GP. Hope that helps and best wishes 😊
hello , you’ve had a lot of replies and I hope there’s some good advice there for you , I’m 71 and had a few health problems over the years including the fear of not waking up and awful dreams , I received counselling from the nhs which although took a while to get was fantastic help , putting a lot of things into perspective and helping me deal with the past , health issues etc you can self refer for it on the nhs web site
I’m a lot older than you and obviously we shall all go sometime but not yet, I have a hospital bag in the cupboard ready and every night I put my keys etc where they could be picked up quick if required-to this date neither have been required in an emergency, it’s good to help relax knowing that if you wake up with a crazy heart beat ( mines 140 on and off ) there’s nothing to rush round for , you are safe in your bed , the phone is to hand if you need anything, stay still , breath and let your body know you are safe and let your heart settle , anxiety while sleeping is amazing what it can do to you
I’m a much more chilled lady now I’ve conquered relaxing I gave my self so many panic attacks 🤷♀️ it’s blooming hard but well worth a try 👍😊
Yup, been there, done that and got the flipping T-Shirt. When I first came out of hospital I was racked with anxiety, scared to fall asleep "in case" and could only go off with Radio 3 on quietly and a night light. I was offered anxiety meds but declined as I felt I was already on enough meds but did find going to Cardiac Rehab, meeting and talking with others as well as Talking Therapies and MIND a massive help. I still have the jitters at times during the day but, apart from very bizarre, but unscary, dreams (Meds related??), I sleep pretty well.
Your post mirror images how my life has been since my HA, I have suffered much the same as you, please get some help at least when I wake up now I have learned some coping mechanisms from the psychologist I seen when this all happened 3 years ago I had a HA out the blue no warning thought I had indigestion.
Please if you have not sought some help from your doctor then please do there is help out there, ask to be referred
I wish you well in your recovery 🙂
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