Mr Andy Holden

[holdenap]

Would like to be in touch with people who have suffered with a heart attack, just to reassure myself I am one of many people who have experienced this and you can go on to live a normal life.

[Andyman]

Your in touch here. We all have problems adjusting after. But what is a normal life. Really we have to change a few things in our life as those normally were the things that gave us the heart attack to start with. So go back to how you were NO. But another life with hope and life itself is certainly possible.

[ladyhm]

All I can say is that it will be a new normal. I had my heart attack nearly 3 yrs ago now and the hardest part is the anxiety and adjusting to the medications. But hang in there, things do get better with time. Stay positive

[holdenap]

I have read some of the threads on this site and there are a lot of people that have suffered far worse than I have, so really I shouldn't feel crap about my situation. Wanted to gauge the kind of replies before telling my story so here goes. I am 53 and on Feb 4th 2015 I was ready for work ( night shift) and started to get chest pains, which I thought was indigestion, however they got worse, my wife rang the GP and he advised ring 999, but like most men I said don't be daft we shall go to hospital in the car and cut out the middle man, BIG MISTAKE!!! when I got there they put me on Morphine and took what seemed at the time a million blood samples, the next day I was informed that I had an heart attack at home that night...... Jesus am I going to die? mmmmmmmmmm maybe, but we are transferring you to a cardiology unit on the other side of the city. When I arrived they was waiting and within 20 mins I was on the operating table and had 3 stents fitted.

After 2 more nights I was sent home with a shed load of tablets for the rest of my life, I have had cardiac rehab and 2 check ups and all is well, I don't feel as strong as I used to but otherwise I am ok, can do brisk walks fro 4-6 miles and I am back at work doing my normal duties, after a phased return.

Now this is the bit I struggle with in my head, I'm 53 and never smoked, I like a few pints with the lads maybe once a month, I don't drink during the week and my wife and I will share a bottle of wine over a meal on my weekends off, I do a fairly active job climbing stairs and ladders and do quite a lot of walking, I am an active person at home doing stuff around the house and the gardens, not an athlete like but can still play a round of golf and have a kick around with the grandchildren in the park. I am 5 foot 8 and a peanut and weigh 13 stone ish........... then whilst on my walks I see some folk massively overweight, smoking their brains out and sat outside the pub drinking pints of beer in the middle of the afternoon..........you know what I'm thinking don't you and has anyone else felt the same??? or am I just bitter about my situation?? anyway I have rattled on bit now so hope whoever reads this can empathise with me and maybe share some of their inner most gripes.

Andy

[Rory in reply to holdenap]

First year is the hardest adjusting to what has happened. I considered myself a fit 58 year old non smoker. I had mine while out on my mountain bike and like you I cursed my luck.....Why me? why not the useless arseholes in the pub every night only exercise is leaving the bar for a smoke. Then you realise they don't get a second chance. One strike and they are gone. Because you kept yourself fit you will get over this and your job now, is to get back as near as you possibly can, to that person you were before the Heart attack. Its two and half years since my HA and I feel I am still improving. I will never be the carefree person I was but remember its a marathon not a sprint. After the first year start looking at your meds and how they effect you. Your doctor will work with you to reduce or change the ones that may effect you too much. Good luck and KEEP THE FAITH.

[holdenap in reply to Rory]

Rory its nice to hear someone that has felt the same as me, I don't wish anyone to have what we had but like you I still say why me . but life goes on I'm doing most of what I want and feel good some days but crap on others , the tired days are the worse I wonder where my energy goes , I just fall asleep and wake up feeling like a train ran over me . but I'm a glass half full type so I get on with things and I'm slowly getting there . cheers and thanks for the support

[gmp5 in reply to holdenap]

I have felt the exact same way, it's the tiredness that's hard when you're use to being active.

[gmp5 in reply to holdenap]

I hear you completely. Never smoke, very rare alcohol, active lifestyle, gardening, walking, canoeing, worked full time. Boom heart attack out of nowhere. I was left with severe heart failure and unable to work. I see people abusing themselves and no problems. Who knows why things happen. I say survivors aren't wimps that's for sure!

[Andyman]

Holdnap/Andy when I look at those people I just see the old me. Sure I wish I could do all that again, but only sometimes. You can't tell them to change as like me I never thought it could happen to me. I enjoy my new life which is completely opposite my old one. Occasionally I have a drink or 2 but now I feel crap the next day so I don't bother anymore. And smoking. I don't miss the 40 a day I had before. Not at all. They nearly killed me.

Each to their own. For me a different life now. Not happier but not unhappy either. Just different.

[Mariann]

I have adjusted to my "New Normal", Andy. It's just around the bend for 7 yrs. for me. Just get your butt out of bed every day and carry on...... I try not to look back because it just scares me. That ..."what if" dept. is endless.....

Absolutely, every now and then I have a bang-up pity party for one! Why me? but, it just never gets answered for me...... some things have no answer and Dr.'s have only their little black bags and they have no magic hidden in there.

[gmp5]

I survived a heart attack that I am told by 3 different cardiologist I am a miracle to have made it. I don't have the life style I use to but I'm here and functioning. I have a much slower life style and I take naps to make it through the day, which I never did before. I just tell myself I must be here for a reason and will make the best of what I have. I'm glad you are still here too.