If there’s one thing you would tell someone recovering from a heart attack what would it be?

[SimoneHU]

Please share anything you have learned from your recovery that might be helpful to others!

[Hidden]

In response to the question about recovering from a heart attack I would say this. For some time after your heart attack you will feel very vulnerable. The one thing you thought you could trust - your body- has literally attacked you and put your life in danger. That is a big issue to deal with. Every twinge will see you reach for the telephone to call paramedics. That, of course, is entirely due to anxiety in the vast majority of cases. But always better to be sure anyway. For at least 3 months I tried to stay awake at nights because of a gear that I would not wake up. That could not last, and I fell sleep anyway. But I woke up. And I keep waking up so far. Now, some few months after my attacks, I actively go to sleep at night again. That means the anxiety has also diminished to the occasional attack. So my advice is - have patience during your recovery. Dont rush it, dont expect a complete recovery in a week. Dont be afraid to call for help just because you dont want to disturb the doctors - that is what they are there for. In my case I found this site and have been an active participant since then, which I am very happy about. Part of being on here is about distraction from anxiety. The old saying that 'there is someone worse than you' is very true I have found.

[Mike11]

Keep fit. Keep VERY fit. This means walking long distances EVERY day, or something equivalent. Even missing one day will make matters worse in the long run.

[sca2013]

Change the way you were taking care of yourself before the heart attack, as it obviously got you to a heart attack. In my case before mine I had completely changed to a really good diet, and exercising routine for the six months before my heart attack. And then had the heart attack. I thought afterwards what the hell is going on? There was one other BIG thing that I had really ignored, managing my stress level. Working way too much as the workaholic I was. I thought I could rest once I retired, but until then it was full speed ahead. My life was so out of balance it was pathetic. So I would say get a balance of the things in your life.

[peter270]

ive had 10 heart attacks since 1990....and 2 cabgs,in 92 n 2007..since my mum died 15,mnths ago ive become a nervouse wreck..i had some sort of panic attack n awoke in march n lifes nvr been the same since,,,ive been in hosp 3times in aug,17times in july,17times in june and 3times in march,,they say there is nothing wrong,but my heart is beating oddly,i was told off for using an ambulance by amb control..im sure I have had at least one MI but they don't take me seriously...infact the cardiologist discharged me,,,i have a extra beat somebeneath my chest un der my nipple the cardio sed it was nothing do with my heart,,yet went for pacemaker check up n up it showed..he gave me antacids which my gp found out that they stop clopidogrel from working effectively...im at my wits end,,my body feels turned indside out,it feels like my last graftmmthe lima graft has become electrically active and sends odd msgs to mt heart,wen telling them this they think im off my rocker,,im just fed up with it all,,ive now have anthropphobia since march,,fear of people,,,mental health don't help,,,im just passed around from pillar to post...

[CultureVulture25]

It gets better. Give it time. May not seem so at the time, but it does.

[Andyman]

Dont think it wont happen to you.

Also after talk about it to everyone and anyone its good therapy.

Seek help for the head if its needed. It helps.

[bobski1]

The biggest thing you have to overcome is the fear ,every twinge ,ache,and I had the tendency to feel my heart beats more which increased the stress of "is it?" But as time got on I found I could get on with my life ,you have to really or you become your own victim.

After about 2 years unusually, I reacted against all my medication (had to be me!!) ended up in intensive care with all my organs starting to fail ,but hey ! who cares !! I was taken off all heart medication except asprin and statins. The statins did not agree with me ( I tried a few different types/manufacturers doses ) so talked to my doc and we agreed to stop them.

Now all I take is asprin and stomach tablets (cause I can`t seem to stop the weed) but I feel lots better,I garden about 1/4 acre for veg ,rotovate it,cut another 1/4 acre of grass with a strimmer.

I take life slower now so cut down stress levels ,a job that would take me 2hrs will now get done in a day, I watch what I eat ,but a lot less fatty foods ,my exercise is my garden, and cutting wood for the fire .

So, The 2 main things are, getting rid of the fear and cut down if not eliminate the stress by any means possible,stress to me is THE killer .

[Andyman in reply to bobski1]

Yes the fear of the next one takes along time to go. I was happy also to play the victim role because I was enjoying or looking for attention I suppose. Time went by and I realised I had a life to get on with.

[lainygeo]

Hi I would definetly recommend going to cardiac rehab,I have found it very helpful,especially helpful just knowing there's other people going threw similar heart problems ☺

[bobski1 in reply to lainygeo]

I agree with the rehab,but it seemed to me to be not long enough and nothing after it to help you. when I was finished I realised how much I enjoyed it,just meeting people and made friends with some there.

One thing I did notice with me after the rehab was the feeling of being alone hard to put into words,I found that hard to cope with. Don`t know if anyone was in same boat.

[Shelleysgirl]

Two years on, heart attack and stent fitted age 51, and still learning, sometimes it's been one step forward and two back but more damaged by the emotional shock than the physical part. Took 18 months before I found the correct medication combination but I got there eventually

[henbowalker]

Learn to live with your condition! I'm 73 years old! Avoid anxiety cos It wont help! If you need to speak with someone about your H/A make it a friend! not someone who has had a H/A unless, that is, you want to relive yours again! After almost two years since mine in April 2015 I am still the one in charge! Calling an abulance is still my last resort! Talking to the CRT team would be a waste of my time & theirs most likely but you please yourself! Going to sleep at night shouldn't be a problem unless you are a hypocondriach! Make every day count but don't endanger others!

[Kerryy]

Number one rule , do not be afraid to ask for help or guidance . During our unfortunate episode you have engaged with many cardiac healthcare personal , all of them all though busy will not turn you away . I read from time to time of GP practices given appointments days and weeks in to the future . Go and sit in the surgery and make it politely clear you need to see someone NOW !!! .After all the. Great majority of the people sitting there should be in a pharmacy.

[arty_sax]

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