hi guys I’ve just had the letter confirming I had a “little” heart attack in December, I don’t know why but part of me was hoping it wasn’t that but something and nothing.
My cardiac MRI was normal and no heart damage or any blockages but it has completely made me so scared now that it can happen again.
I’m scared to leave the house or if I do I have to be back very quickly I don’t know how to move on.
Had anyone else experienced this?
I think, personally, that you need a better explanation from either your doctor or the cardiac team. I do not understand “little heart attack”. My understanding is that an actual heart attack means there has been damage to the heart because that muscle has been deprived of oxygen for a certain length of time. Other posters might disagree with me and have a better view of what a “little” heart attack with no damage” might be.
And if you have had a heart attack you should have received some advice and either cardiac rehabilitation or a promise that cardiac rehab should be provided when there is a space.
If you have been discharged from the hospital, you could talk to your doctor. Or, you can call the cardiac nurses - full details of number and their hours on the BHF website.
While you are thinking about what to do, have a good read of the BHF website: this will tell you about diet and lifestyle so that you can get in control of the things that YOU can be in control of.
Hi happy Rosie, thank you for your reply, I’ve just finished cardiac rehab and I am going to continue in their gym classes.
The letter said to continue with all medication until I have my follow up appointment which I don’t have a date for as yet
You've had a warning shot from your body! Your lucky to have survived and no doubt you will have been given plenty of advice from the doctors and nurses. As shocking as it is, you have the power to change things. So it's up to you to be brave and get stuck in, it's the only way forward!
Keep going with your meds and above all create such a healthy lifestyle that it vastly reduces the odds of a repeat, very good luck
Thanks!
Can I ask if you were already seeing anyone about your heart or what symptoms you had before and after your little heart attack? I am surprised by the word 'little' too but I have a suspected one from late last year with no (known) family history of heart issues, abnormal ECG but normal(ish) Echo. Glad to read you are receiving help and attending cardio/gym and looks as though you are on meds too. I hope you can remain positive - you are doing all the right things it seems. Wishing you all the best!
Hi Guinness Guinness I wasn’t seeing anyone previous to my heart attack the confirmation came from the high troponin levels.
I am on all the medications until my follow up appointment but I don’t know when that is yet.
How are you getting on?
Hiya, I didn't have that blood test as I didn't go to hospital. I have had the other blood test which shows I am not in heart failure which is good but I think the troponin levels are something done at A&E (only)?
It was an abnormal ECG that highlighted a likely heart attack but when I saw that I know exactly when it was as I can remember being confused and scared by the sudden pain and at the time (not knowing much about the heart at all) I thought it was Pleurisy which is not that unusual for me to get (due to Scoliosis / my lungs are a bit squashed so I don't get full capacity). I was confused however as it differed but I still thought the issue related to my lungs. I was sent for the ECG due to my suffering from shortness of breath, unexplained cough and extreme tiredness.
I am currently awaiting the results of a 24hr ECG/Holter from mid Jam.
I felt at my worst during December but thankfully feeling a lot better now which is why I was wondering what your symptoms were before and after if any?
All the best with your follow-up appointment!
Yes, I had a 'little' heart attack a couple of years ago, that is to say, I had symptoms, pain etc and a blockage but it didn't damage my heart as far as I know but I had two stents inserted. Was it a 'real' heart attack? Who knows?
If you are following the advice given to you at cardio rehab, perhaps backed up with information on the BHF webpages on lifestyle, as well as taking your medication, there is not much more you can do, except be glad you are aware of what has happened and your heart health risk is now being reduced by these measures. So embrace it all and just enjoy each day as it comes. Unfortunately no-one can predict the future but it is fact that many people survive heart attacks and live long and happy lives, including my aunt who survived three heart attacks and lived to her mid 90s.
State of heart after heart attack
"Mild heart attack"
Unknown cause of heart attack
Heart Attack
recent heart attack
