Me.

Hi. I am Karl. I had a heart attack this year - two actually. Had stents put in and then had a small stroke later. So far, no problem with my heart, but general health seems to be in decline. Depression has set in in past few days - but hopefully that will pass.

[Andyman]

For me depression of sorts was my hidden problem. I had fixed the lifestyle problems and lost weight stopped smoking and drinking. Thought I had cracked it. But the remind were in my head. I went to a shrink in the end and with talking without judgement and learning Mindfulness on the side I have kept it at bay. It was harder to shift than the weight. Good luck. We are still alive so all is not bad.

[holdenap]

I had stents fitted last Feb and I'm still trying to get me head around it , its good to see that it not just me , I think it's what comes with it and its all part of the process , some will cope better than others , I just keep saying to myself I can't turn the clock back I haven't got any control of what happens going forward, so fook it live your life and try to forget what happened . it's hard but that's how I cope

[rachel-claire]

Hi Karl sorry to hear that..I had my heart attack ten years ago and I think the shock of the heart attack and having emergency open heart surgery actually left me with a mild dose of post traumatic stress disorder as it took me at least 3 to 5 years to feel like myself again..I have now just went through my third open heart surgery 5 weeks ago to have a mechanical mytral valve and I feel great..it's all still at the back of my mind what if I have another heart attack or a stroke but I think it's a case of really counting it as you are Alive stay positive..I'm now 42 and intend to grab the rest of my life with both hands ..I hope you can to😀Rach

[Hidden in reply to rachel-claire]

Thanks Rach. No doubt as time goes on any residual depression will disappear. The anxiety will be there for a while I think, but I would be surprised if I had no anxiety at all given the shock of 2 heart attacks and a stroke all in two days. To be honest it is not as bad as it was as I have a partner who is also a doctor specialising in mental and emotional health - so that was fortuitous to say the least. I am also a therapist myself which is also helpful. I hope that your health will improve and that you wont have to deal with any more heart problems. Thank you for taking the time to write - it is appreciated.

Karl

[Mariann]

It is a mind game some days..... I was told most heart attack patients go through depression. Sounds like you are no exception. Hang in there, Karl! It took me a good year and a half to start feeling half-assed normal again.

[Hidden]

Thank you for the advice and support

[Londonerdee]

Hi..

I also had a heart attack recently, March 15...to my utter surprise I needed a flipping heart bypass! Then 3 months later I needed stents too. I really did not see that coming but after a lot of strange feelings of shock, feeling like a broken toy, anger and sadness, I think i have no choice but to come to terms with what's happened and try to keep as fit as possible. I walk a lot now eat mostly fish and chicken and try to see the positive that I am still here. There are some terrible things that some people are facing that are worse than a heart attack. We will be here for many years to come don't worry. I imagine you are on medication. I take 5mg bisoprolol, 75mg aspirin, 1.2mg ramipril and 8mg atorvastatin. I also take omega 3 6 and 9 and cq10 vitamins. I hope you are ok...it's not easy but I don't have a choice I can either curl up or live my life and I choose the latter

[Hidden]

Hi. Thanks for your post. I am ok. I think I was feeling a bit down when I wrote my original introduction post