A rather dramatic title, but In my case it was probably true !
Ok, so I now feel it is time to bring this out into the open.
The Admin team know about this .
Thank you to Oldfloss and MissUnderstanding for picking up the slack !
Only a handful of others have known about this
And to the ones who knew, thank you for your support and messages 💕🙏
I went out for a run on Monday 27th February
I had been building my short runs up again after 10 weeks off with really bad sinus problems.
Then Monday 27th Feb I did a gentle 2.5 or 3 k run , no problems.
Came back home , stretched, had lunch and started with chest pains and down my arms .at around midday.
After about 30 minutes I realised it was serious and rang 999
At this point it became obvious it was a heart attack!
I called my neighbour and she came in and gave me Asprin on the advice of the 999 call handler, we phoned 999 3 times in total and it was just over 2 hours before the ambulance arrived!
By which time I truly believed I would not survive this .
They gave me the spray under the tongue and also morphine and spent another 15 minutes or so deciding where to take me .
I was going to go by helicopter but they couldn't get one for an hour so they took me to Wolverhampton by road , another 40 45 minutes!
They were literally waiting at the door at Wolverhampton new cross hospital and within 10 minutes of arrival I was on the theatre table having an angioplasty with entry from the right wrist .
They nearly lost me while working on one of the arteries and I remember loosing track of what was happening.
They instantly then had to shock me as my heart went into what they described as a self terminating rhythm .
They didn't even have chance to warn me .
I remember feeling as though I had just hit the ceiling but as I felt I was coming down again I felt reality and awareness returning .
All this was done while being conscious but sedated .
During this procedure they fitted a large stent in one of the coronary arteries and said when I was stable they then needed to consider what to do with another 2 arteries!
I went back in theatre on the Thursday and had another 2 Stents fitted in another artery, and a 3rd artery was considered not necessary to stent but they opened it up with a wire under pressure!
I was warned by the anaesthetist that this procedure would feel like (in his words) 'impending doom'
And he was right !
All this is done while awake as well !!
Just sedated .
But what a team !!!
Absolutely incredible
I came out the next morning on 3rd march .
It's been one hell of a ride both physically and emotionally so far
But still here to fight another day and slowly getting moving again .
I was told by the consultant cardiologist that this heart attack was always going to happen (mainly genetic).
He told me I had been walking towards the edge of a cliff and just happened to arrive there on that day !
I have found out today that there is about 5% damage to the heart but this could have been significantly worse or possibly fatal especially considering the delay I had if my heart had not been strong prior to the attack .
It was suggested to me that this strength was likely down to the running!
So thank you to Couch to 5k and my running beyond the program!
So running may not just change your life
It could well have saved mine ! .
It will be a slow return, but a return non the less and it is expected I will be running again in time !
But of course I will take the time and advice from the cardiac rehabilitation team . 🙏
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There's so often a massive emotional impact (due to all the biochemistry and drugs as well as psychology) We're here to sit with you and jog gently alongside you when the time is right.
So glad you got through it. Words are inadequate - mine anyway.
My younger brother had an attack last summer, but was much luckier in the response. A little over an hour after his wife dialled 999 he had been operated on to fit a stent.
Oh my goodness, you have had such a shock (literally). Did you not have any warning signs prior to this heart attack?
Surgeons are just amazing when you think of what they can do to get your life back on track. I know the stent op is not very nice - my mum had it done recently but was told her arteries are abnormal so it’s not an option for her. She’s always been fit and healthy and looked after herself so I think it’s also genetic 🧬🙄😢.
Im so glad you’re on the road to recovery ❤️🩹 and you enjoyed that beautiful walk. Take care x
crikey Mikey! What an episode! Glad to hear you’re on the mend, being and ex ITU and cardiac nurse, gotta love an anaesthetist! The gas man (or woman 😉) with as you say ‘the good stuff’…..and usually a very good sense of humour….😉
Gosh! That all sounds very traumatic! Glad you are on the other side of it now. I’m not going to tell you to take it easy - you know what to do 😉 but I will wish you speedy recovery ❤️🩹
♥️♥️♥️So glad you're coming out the other side of this and feeling able to talk about it.
That sort of mental trauma is big. It may take time to get used to the idea of what's happened; you might find getting your heart, legs and lungs back in business is the easier fix.
Loads of support out there though. Use it! (From personal experience, BHF have some wonderful listeners)
Ian, thank goodness for the NHS, and what an ordeal, thank you for sharing this because it's important more people are aware of the importance of keeping moving, I'm so relieved you survived. Take care and heal well my running friend
That sounds like a traumatic and really scary experience. Hope your recovery is speedy and trouble free and that you get back to that life saving running very soon. Take care x
I wouldn't be the fit and running person I am without C25K but more importantly this forum and the support it provides. You and the rest of the team do a fantastic job advising and encouraging fellow runners. I was very saddened when Tim died and am so glad to hear that you are recovering from that traumatic HA. Very brave of you to share the experience here. Keep us updated on your progress back to running! x
Been there seen it, done it. Big shock but there's life after an HA and you will be running faster and better just takes a bit of time and the right mental attitude. Big Tip, family and friends will try and wrap you in cotton wool, that's one of the biggist hurdles to getting going again. So have an Excellent recovery and Rock on .....
I'm very glad, your on the upward trajectory, that must have been a frightening experience both mentally and physically. The guidance and support given by you and the rest of this great team is fantastic, and it is one of the reasons I feel we are all here and I'm very glad to read that you will still be able to continue.
I wish you a speedy recovery while you're having plenty of rest at the same time.. Best of luck.
💛❤️🧡💚💔💛 Sending you loads of strength physically and mentally.
My father had a heart attack when he was 43, it was a scary time for him and the family. Hope the scariness has somewhat faded for you already , and hoping that your next walking or running goals will help with that.
My dad lived until 90, and died last week 😢. So he lived for longer after the HA than before.
I’m so glad reading that running made a difference. I’m sure we’ll be reading increasingly about you being out there running or walking.
OMG, you have the heart of a lion to survive that! Thank goodness you are on the mend. My younger brother passed away 9 months ago in similar circumstances, we live in a rural area and the ambulance couldn't find the house - eventually three ambulances and a police car, plus a first responder made it, but too late. He had completed a 400 mile cycle ride the day before, and was the fittest he had been in his life. Life is such a lottery. Glad you are here to tell the tale, and still able to help us via a keyboard. Build those muscles up and soon you'll be on the road again.
so glad you are still here to tell your story. Sounds like you were lucky with the care you received and with your fitness from running to protect you. Inspirational!
Oh my goodness, what a scary experience, but glad to hear you are on the mend. This running malarkey really is a lifesaver! Thanks for sharing your inspirational story
Wow this is a shock to read. Writing this will inspire us the benefits of running and look forward to your recovery posts. Wishing you the best in your healing 🙏
OMG, I know Ive missed quite a quite posts because of work and not having time to log on, but didn't expect this!! You take great care, and easy back to it!! Running will always be there waiting.💝
Goodness me, I am so glad you are ok! What a thing to go through but it sounds like they took good care of you (eventually). I know from experience what a mental toll a sudden medical event can cause - take it easy and be kind to yourself x
So pleased you are here to tell the tale and remind us all why exercise is so important to our health. It’s certainly worth remembering when we’ve lost our mojo a bit. Wishing you a speedy recovery ❤️🩹
Well I’m so glad you lived to tell the tale but I’m so sorry to hear of your experience. Horrible and scary but so good that you recognised it was heart related and got help even though the ambulance took so long.
There is a BH forum here where people share their heart related experiences and there are definitely a few runners on that forum and many who are fitter after the event than before-not that I think that would apply in your case!
I haven’t had a HA but have some minor heart related issues. From my reading of posts on the forum, it does seem that rehab classes to regain confidence in your body are a very good thing if your Dr can get you on to a programme near you. Secondly, I think it takes a little while for you to mentally process what you have been through, so don’t be surprised at your own feelings but ask for help if you don’t gradually emerge from any overwhelming feelings.
I don’t know if you’re already a member but have a look at British Heart Foundation on healthunlocked lots of good support and advice. Look out for “thatwasunexpected” his journey is inspirational and got me into C25K during lockdown.
I had a stent fitted to the LAD on 3rd March 2011 but was “lucky” to have angina warning signs and no heart attack.
Also have a look at Cardiac Athletes Facebook page which I’m sure would interest you.
You’ve been through the wringer but you’ll soon notice improvements.
Thank you for your response , and yes I know "thatwasunexpected" from these forums!I am also a new member on the bhf group and already chatted to "thatwasunexpected"
"congratulations" might sound really strange thing to say but I believe it's the right word ... congratulations on putting yourself in a position to survive this. It can feel barely credible what medics and medicine can do and have done for you. But it's also wonderful to know that C25K and running regularly make such an impact. It's inspiring.
Earlier this week my wife and I were talking about someone who "went for a run and didn't come back" and were feeling rather maudlin about it. Your post is a good antidote to this. Thank you.
That sounds like a horrible experience but I'm glad you got through it in once piece. Hope you're running again soon.
Something sort of similar happened to my nephew who was then in his early 40s. He was a keen runner, did the London Marathon etc. After he'd had his stents fitted his first question was 'when can I run again?' The NHS staff were flabbergasted, normally they are the ones advising people to take up exercise not the ones saying 'slow down a bit'. (Thankfully he's been well ever since, must be about 5-6 years).
What an incredibly scary time for you Ian…so glad to hear about your positive outcomes…especially how being fit probably saved your life.
So, as you say, a slow return now to fitness under the care of the rehab team…I hope mentally as well as physically. PTSD can affect anyone after a traumatic event such as yours…and your family too.
It’s good to have you back…defo time to embrace your inner snail 😊🐌😉💙
Oh goodness. What a lot you have been through! Sounds like you had a great medical team and had put yourself in a great position to come through and recover strongly. We have heart disease in my family so whenever I do my slow runs I hope I am doing my bit to help myself. Your story really struck a chord! Take your time and be kind to yourself. Your turn to be on the receiving end of some of the TLC you give so generously to others!
Oh my goodness, I had wondered what had happened as you mentioned having been in hospital.Despite the long wait, it sounds as though the NHS took good care of you, but how scary and also it must have dented your confidence.
I'm sure that when you're ready and are given the green light, they will say continuing running will be good for you. Interesting that there was a genetic element to this, and that it wasn't the result of a bad lifestyle. It is a good job you were fit, as you say!
In the meantime, please take good care of yourself. X
Wow, I'm so sorry to hear you've been through such a horrific experience. Good luck with your recovery and thanks for posting about it. It certainly does offer the rest of us motivation to keep running.
Thank you !And yes, that was my motivation for writing what was actually quite a difficult post to put together, but I'm glad I did by the responses I have had 🙏
Jeepers! What an experience! I'm really glad that you survived and that's a really well written post. My experience is a walk in the park compared to that.
It's really helpful to see in writing how the fitness you gained from running helped.
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