Silent Heart Attack Diagnosis.

[FestivalVibes]

sorry me again! I’ve yet to speak to my GP, but my cardiologist sent a letter to my GP yesterday (found on my NHS record) following my Cardiac Perfusion scans … the results show ‘fixed subsegmental apical infarction with no inducible ischaemia’ … Google tells me that this is permanent damage from a heart attack, but that my blood flow is fairly good: EF 58% at rest, 49% under stress.

That I’ve had a heart attack and not known about it is terrifying! I’ll need to chat to my GP about the recommended drugs (which includes Bisoprolol), but I’ve already put on weight since September and now my hair is falling out … I’m resigned to living with a heart I need to take care of, but weight gain, hair loss and anxiety are not things I want to resign too 😢 Feeling jolly sorry for myself this morning 😢

[Happyrosie]

you are not alone - I’ve come across other people in my life who had a heart attack without knowing.

My suggestion is that you have been given a little warning, and need to look at your lifestyle and diet. What needs tweaking? If anything.

You had the scans for a reason and I’m assuming your surgery will ask to have a consultation, perhaps with a specialist nurse, a pharmacist or EVEN a doctor.

[FestivalVibes in reply to Happyrosie]

Thank you Happyrosie … I’m going to contact my GP surgery on Monday and ask for an appointment to discuss things, the letter on my health record is a clinical letter from one clinician to another so be good to have a chat about what it means in layman’s terms and discuss my options with drugs, I’m not a big fan of pharmaceutical drugs, but will concede they are a necessary evil sometimes. My diet and lifestyle are pretty good, plant based mediterranean diet, never smoked and I’m fairly active, I do like a wee drink though 😉 … I’m away in Scotland at the moment so will chat to the pharmacist when I get home about the hair loss and what might be causing it. Thank you so much for replying, bit of a roller coaster the heart journey hey? … have a good weekend x

[fishonabike in reply to FestivalVibes]

one of the side effects of Bisoprolol (a beta-blocker) is hair loss - you could ask your GP for an alternative - hair usually regrows aafter bisoprolol is stopped

[PadThaiNoodles]

Your EF is still good; I wouldn't be surprised if they just recommend a low dose of Bisoprolol as a protective measure. (I've been on 1.25mg since my valve surgery; I'll get to go off them if my 1-year-post-surgery echo shows that my atria have returned to normal size.)

I hope you're feeling better soon. 🤗

[FestivalVibes in reply to PadThaiNoodles]

Thank you … yes I think once I’m back home I need to chat to my GP about my drugs in general … might be the Ramipril as I too had read that it can cause hair loss, but as you say fairly rare 🤔 I kinda know the lifestyle changes I need and mostly I’m on it, but perhaps need to up my game a bit!

I’ve been referred to Papworth for a CT scan; I haemorrhaged after my angiogram a few years back so my cardiologist wants to go down the non invasive route. I’m thinking that if I can keep the status quo as it is now that’s a good way forward ☺️

Thank you for replying, have a good weekend 😎

[Goonerboy6661]

Totally get why you’re feeling overwhelmed—what you’ve just found out would rattle anyone. But just to reassure you:

“Fixed apical infarction” means a small scar from a past heart attack (which lots of people don’t even feel at the time).

“No inducible ischaemia” is actually really good news—it means your current blood flow is fine, even under stress.

Your EF is still in a good range, especially at rest (58%).

As for the meds—yes, Bisoprolol can sometimes cause things like fatigue, weight gain, or hair thinning. But there are often options: dose tweaks or alternative meds, so definitely worth chatting to your GP.

[FestivalVibes in reply to Goonerboy6661]

Aw thank you so so much for your reassuring words ☺️ … it’s been a up and down weekend since getting the news, but you have summed it up in such a positive way; small amount of damage and good that my blood flow is ok … I’m due to have a cardiac CT scan to assess what’s going on with my arteries … I’m feeling better today, will see my GP next week and discuss my meds, guess this whole heart journey thing is getting your head around each new turn … so very grateful for the support here … thank you so much 💗

[SuddenShock]

Goonerboy6661 comments sound very positive, it appears that you are getting a check up at papworth to confirm the initial (positive) findings. I hope that is correct and everything works out well for you. The contents of the letters are usually very scary but it just means that they want you to be impressed at their standard of vocabulary.

My GP has had lots of letters from the heart surgeons but has not contacted me about any of them. I have tried to contact the GP several times to discuss symptoms and medication but cannot get an appointment.

[FestivalVibes in reply to SuddenShock]

Oh I love your comment on ‘being impressed by their vocabulary’ 😂 I’m fairly lucky with my GP surgery in that they have an online triage facility, so I normally get an f2f appt / telephone appt quite quick. Sending best wishes and kind thoughts for your own heart journey 💗

[Alfy53]

Hi. I had a silent HA too but felt ill the day before with hot sweats no pain but didn't feel right somehow. So how was your silent HA diagnosed

[FestivalVibes in reply to Alfy53]

Hi … I was referred for a Echo following a BP test with my GP Surgery pharmacist which then led to a Nuclear Perfusion Scan (Echo showed extensive regional wall motion abnormality) … now waiting for a cardiac CT Scan. I can’t remember feeling unwell at any stage, but 2023/ 2024 was a very stressful time for me, so guessing my mental heath hit masked any physical symptoms 🤔 Hope you are doing well now 💗

[Alfy53 in reply to FestivalVibes]

Thank you for your reply. 12 months on I feel OK.thankfully. its a very scary thing to happen to anyone very scary but have got over the shock now and we are the lucky ones I am told constantly ! as we are still here!

[FestivalVibes in reply to Alfy53]

Yes now I’m processing it, albeit slowly, I’m realising that I’m lucky really, now I know I can be more aware going forward and be prepared if needs be. Sending best wishes for your own heart journey 💗