Getting back to work and life expectancy

[Krazeuk]

I had a heart attack and cardiac arrest 8 weeks ago and was put into an induced coma for 8 days. I was discharged 3 days after coming out of the coma. I went back to work as a site manager 4 weeks after that. I have been doing half days for the past 2 weeks. I have been doing as much as possible to lead a healthier life. I have stopped smoking, eating healthier and enrolled onto a cardiac rehabilitation course. I am suffering with my memory, feeling tired and unmotivated. I've always been highly motivated and this is a surprise to me that I feel this way. It's left me wondering if I have gone back too soon! My wife thinks that I should not be working but getting back to work was getting back to normal.

I recently read that suffering an out of hospital cardiac arrest could mean that my life expectancy is potentially reduced to having another 15 years ! I'm only 40!

[iansHealth1]

Hey bud.

Don’t think your symptoms are particularly unusual. From my own perspective, the HA’s were like being run over by a small family car - several times!

I only started to feel better once my meds were tweaked by my cardiologist, but in saying that, I didn’t go back to work for nine months.

So, everyone is different, you’ve also packed the fags in (as did I) and that won’t be helping, but you must persevere with that.

Never heard the life expectancy thing, but I have heard that surviving an out-of-hospital HA is pretty rare, so that’s a tick in the plus column.

For every positive thing you read or hear about your condition, they’ll be three negatives.

Stay away from Dr Google, make 111, your GP, BHF helpline and ultimately, A&E, your go to friends for proper advice and guidance.

It does get easier, but time is needed and the fantastic thing is you’re still here to feel a bit crap occasionally.

Good luck and keep the worrying to a minimum.

[Krazeuk in reply to iansHealth1]

Thanks for the reply mate! I am so grateful to be here and take everyday since the rebirth as a blessing! 9 months off work! maybe I may have gone back a bit soon! Earning money to keep the family goin was key to my fight to recover and feel normal. Work was my focus as we are only a few months away from finishing the 4 year project I managed from the start and desperately want to finish!

[iansHealth1 in reply to Krazeuk]

Sad to say, but I saw guys in my cardiac wards discharge themselves to go back to work in order to keep earning.

I’m fortunate to work for a large, well-unionised, transport provider in London where the sick time is generous.

I don’t have a solution for workers less fortunate than me - especially the building game. You gotta do what you gotta do.

[Lezzers]

My husband had a massive heart attack & cardiac arrest at age 42, he'll be 68 in May this year. I've never heard of a life expectancy issue after a cardiac arrest and I belong to a few health support groups.

Everything you're feeling at the moment, lack of motivation, tiredness memory loss etc is completely normal & will improve over time. The cardiac rehab is brilliant and will definitely help with your recovery going forward

As a wife I would say listen to your wife occasionally, we care about our loved ones & we too are coming to terms & trying to deal with everything that's happened.

Good luck with your continuing recovery

[Krazeuk in reply to Lezzers]

Thanks for the reply and kind words. Thats comforting to know. All the best to you and your husband x

[TracyAdmin Partner]

Welcome to the Forum, I am positive all the members here will welcome you and offer their support and advice based upon their own experiences. You have been through a huge ordeal recently, and everyone's recovery period varies so it is important to ensure you are not pushing yourself too soon and taking your doctor's medical advice about returning to work. It is completely natural to want to move on and get back to a normal routine as soon as possible, but equally you do need to allow time for your body to recover enough to cope with everyday life again. You are making a big difference by making your lifestyle changes and all the extra effort will help in the long term.. It is not unknown that many experience memory loss following the trauma-of a SCA, so please discuss this with your doctor to see if they can offer any additional support.

You may be interested in downloading our patient booklet from the Arrhythmia Alliance website (see attached) api.heartrhythmalliance.org...

If you would like a chat or further support, please contact our Patient Services Team: heartrhythmalliance.org/aa/...

Kind regards

TracyAdmin

booklet

[Krazeuk]

Thank you x