One afternoon while playing football, I suddenly experienced chest pain. To my surprise, it turned out to be a minor heart attack. Doctors later found a 95% blockage in one of my arteries, and I underwent a balloon angioplasty procedure. Prior to my event my diet was pretty bad and I didn’t really control my blood pressure to well. I also developed ectopic heartbeats. I am now on meds
Although the chest pain is now gone, I’ve been feeling quite anxious about the future. My doctors have reassured me that if I stick to my medication and make the necessary lifestyle changes, I should be able to live a normal life. Still, I can’t help but worry.
Lately, I’ve also been experiencing some abdominal discomfort, which I suspect might be a side effect of the medication or possibly IBS. I still also get the ectopic heartbeats when moving around or exercising
If anyone has been through something similar or has any thoughts to share, I’d really appreciate it.
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Asmokes1
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Hi Asmokes1, I cant say I have been through the same as I guess my issues are very different although both heart related, personally its taken me a long time to get my head around everything and some days are better than others, I guess you've been given a early warning here so its important that you listen to the advice that's been provided as this is only going to help you in the long run, the mind is a wonderful thing and will often play little tricks but also overthink something that you would have ignored prior to your health scare to now suddenly thinking the worse but that doesn't mean you shouldn't listen to your body, i have found this forum really helpful, whether that be responding to others or just reading other stories like yourself.
The way I look at it, there are many people who would love to swap positions with us all as they never recovered from their health issues.
Easy to say, not necessarily easy to do, and a bit morbid, but try and be grateful you've been given an early warning that others never got.
Your new project is to work on yourself; your diet, lifestyle, stress, exercise, sunshine, sleep, not forgetting to enjoy life as well 😀
Perhaps you can get diagnostic tests as well to give you some peace of mind, paying privately if that is your only option and one you can afford to pay.
I am sorry you are facing such severe heart issues at such a young age.
Please be rest assured that this is not necessarily a bad thing as you got an early warning and now know you are vulnerable to heart problems. Many people don't get that chance as others have mentioned.
You have done better than others as you are physically active. This will also help you recover better than others.
Your case has been treated well and there is no reason to believe you cannot have a normal life. Just take all the meds but do change your life style, especially the diet. You must emphasize whole plants for most of your diet as you have a tendency to develop plaques. Life style changes are the real treatment.
Your doctors have given you the best advice echoed by others on here. You are actually in a better place than before your heart attack given medication and your awareness of the lifestyle measures you should now have put in place. There is plenty of information on lifestyle on the BHF webpages. And if you have not been offered cardio rehab you should chase that up with the hospital where you were treated. But if you suspect you are struggling with side effects from medication especially gastro issues I suggest you discuss that with your GP or a pharmacist.
Hi, a lot of us will be able to empathise with your experience, albeit that you may be much younger than most of us that have had nstemi heart attacks. I was fit and strong on the outside and had 4 blocked arteries after my nstemi in July 2023. It knocked me , my family, friends and colleagues sideways . I was the fit one 🤦🏼. Thought that I might get a stent or two but when the team finished the angiogram and the doc told me I’d need at least triple bypass I was devastated. I was 61. Forward to 2025 and I look forward to my 2nd anniversary post heart attack and surgery. I’ve achieved so much in that time , reassessed my nutrition , made small but significant changes regarding salt/fats /sugar and ultra processed foods. Rehabbed well, continued to progressively overload my walking , physical work and returned to park runs , riding my motorbikes, swimming, working physically hard round our small holding and really enjoying what I call my rebirth. I still enjoy a beer or two but nothing like the volume I used to drink , I don’t miss out on foods either , a steak every now and then for example . However I am always trying to make the right choices the majority of the time . Medication took a few months to get right , I changed statins and settled on the 3rd change, had bisoprolol lowered from 3.5mg to 1.5mg, all my stats are good lipids , blood pressure perfect and ejection fraction up to 55-60% . The physical side is very good. The mental side is a little bit trickier I’d say. I’m sure I had/have a touch of PTSD post the event. I’m a lot better but I have definitely changed. A quote that resonated with me was “We have two lives, and the second begins when we realize we only have one.” Confucius.
Keep posting your updates and don’t hesitate to reach out for support in this wonderful group. You’ll find your way. 👊🏻👊🏻👊🏻
Sounds very similar to what I went through 2-3 years ago including the abdominal discomfort. At the time going the gym 3-4 times a week and dog walks virtually every day. Had a silent heart attack 3 years ago resulting in medication etc etc.
Didn’t change my diet and let a pretty unhealthy lifestyle thinking the medication was the answer, exercise dropped off a bit mainly due to working unsociable hours and family commitments (poor excuse really).
Anyway 7 Weeks ago I had a double heart bypass, so at the moment still recovering (I’m 53), I’m currently on the 1hr daily walks .
Diet, exercise and everything in moderation will be echoed on this forum and if you can prioritise yourself over work.
Everybody is different so make sure you go through the process and our fantastic health care professionals will look after you.
Hope your feeling better. I know a few people in their 60's they smoke, drink alcohol, just live on takeaway junk, beer bellies, tv, devices all day etc... yet they never seem to get ill ever. Though, many I know, eat healthily, zero smoke or drink, correct weight etc yet have suffered heart attacks, heart surgery and so on... I just don't get it how the slob mentality seems to bypass any serious health problems it doesn't add up.
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