I am wanting to connect with anyone who has recently or maybe some time ago had a heart attack. Am 47 years old and had a heart attack last Friday. I had a blood clot removed from my artery and a stent fitted Friday night. I have been discharged from hospital came home Monday eve. I am so so scared it is going to happen again. I am on my own during the day. And today I feel like I have a pain in my back and my chest but feel it could be just as am worrying and anxious. I took my spray and it seemed to calm down. Does anyone have any advice to how I can move forward. I feel upset all the time but mainly just so so scared. Thank you
They did an angiogram and stented the only blockage so you are now in the clear. They will get you to cardio rehab to improve your fitness and confidence. Are you on any medication now?
Sharon,
Just as Derek says, you have had the problem area fixed with a stent. Whilst they did I'd they also check out the rest of the heart, had they found another blockage they would more than likely stented that as well.
I had a silent heart attack, no pain back when I was your age. A single stent fitted and I too worried just like you. The worry no anxiety does cause physical symptoms, try to relax, take deep breaths and calm yourself down. I suffered what were called after shocks, where the heart is healing after the attack.
Cardiac Rehab is a must and the best thing you'll do to get moving and improve your confidence.
Chase anyone for the service, consultant, GP. You should automatically be invited to a club run by th cardiac team, but worth chasing.
You should be on Asprin to thin the blood and I'm guessing statins. Make sure you take them and I hope all goes well for you
Matt
I was surprised when I went to cardio rehab after my heart valve replacement that most of the others were ladies in their 50-60's who had stents. None had exercised before and went every where by car and were overweight.
Thank you and yes on lots of meds. Just hope in time I won’t be terrified of being on my own. I used to love my own company too. Thank you for taking the time to reply.
Thank you Matt
Yes have the appointment to start it from the 14th March. I just pray in time I will stop being scared.
Sharon,
It takes time to trust yourself, but you will. Rehab is the best thing you can do, you'll be monitored by cardiac nurses, so make sure you push yourself. By the time you finish you'll be amazed just how much you can do.
All the best
Thank you Matt
Today has been up and down and will take each day as it comes. Just don’t want another clot to form in the stent which I know can happen. I’ve stopped smoking it’s my 4th day changed my diet slightly as it was 90% healthy and am off work for about 6 weeks. Just scared to be on my own in the house which I know sounds stupid
Find someone to walk with, it will do you the world of good. Stopping smoking is the best thing you can do for yourself. Keep an eye on your cholesterol, you should have regular check ups within the first year, then an annual check up.
The Asprin and Statins will work against the stent clotting. You do need to trust that your heart has had a good check up and if there was any sign of a narrowing, they would have dealt with it.
From my experience, those who dont it take the heart attack seriously, fail to exercise, fail to stop smoking, fail to adjust their diet suffer problems.
Off work for six weeks seems way too long. Six weeks after having my chest opened to have my aortic valve replaced I was pretty much back to normal and I was in my mid 70's.
Clot risk in stents is very low and you are on an anti platelet medication.
Sharon,
I was 45 when I was diagnosed with an cardiomyopathy. GP thought my ECG showed I had had a heart attack & I had to wait four weeks to see a cardiologist. That was two years ago & that four week wait period was terrifying. It was equally scary for a good few months following diagnosis too. I noted down every pain, niggle or slight increase in heart rate & my anxiety was off the scale, which in turn was probably why I was getting those pains, niggles & increase in heart rate!
Looking back, I still have nervous days. Finding a support group online specifically for my heart condition helped enormously. Helped me to realise I was not alone. The other bit that helped was changing my diet. Yes I still cheat occasionally when I absolutely crave a marmite sandwich, but the rest of the time salt is off my diet.
You've had the stent fitted & have had a full cardiac check so the chances of anything happening to you are low. Now it's a case of taking it day by day & focusing on all the other things in life that are out there for us 47 year olds. I'm off to a spa tomorrow!
Thank you very much for taking the time to respond. Diet has changed though was kinda healthy before the attack. Not smoked since before it happened. Will never smoke again. Yes I have been looking for a support group. Thank you and glad your all well. Enjoy the spa x
I can commiserate with you, I've had 3, but mine were vasospasm induced and they occurred years apart, first one at 37, 43 and 62. I've recently learned that LUPUS is most likely the driving factor for my events, this disorder can cause inflammation of any vessels, including the coronaries. I have had caths done which didn't show any demonstrable plaque formation and it doesn't show until you get to 50% anyway. While rehab is helpful for most people, what I needed more
was pulmonary rehab, because my lungs ( as far as forced expiratory volume is concerned) measure in at 29% and I was told I should be at 100%. I find this hard
to believe because I'm still functional, but it's reduced. I'm glad you quit smoking, my father started smoking at 14, but quit when he was 28, however the grim reaper claimed him at 62 with a MI. We were told damage was done to the lining of his coronaries even though he quit. I don't smoke, but I can understand how difficult it must be to quit. I find different distractions quite helpful when my mind starts to drift to reacting to palpitations and other cardiac symptoms. I wish you the best with your diet and overall health going forward.
Hi, I received 2 stents in Nov 16 following heart attack, aged 56. Odd chest feelings I still have today and I’ve calmed down worrying as this can’t be serious now. However, I went through the nhs rehabilitation course - I can’t recommend this enough to you as it’s run by pros and you’ll feel so much more confident whenbon the course and after it ends. Go for it without delay. Also, cut out fatty foods and head for a Mediterranean diet. Best of luck. D
Don’t worry. Make sure and get on nhs rehabilitation course. Head for a Mediterranean diet and plenty brisk walks - outside or in the gym treadmill.
Bullet points Sharron
First year will be s**t
go to cardiac rehab
accept you are mortal
stop smoking
watch WHAT you eat
loose weight if you need to
if you think your meds are wrong say so
walk walk walk walk but not up steep hills
join heart watch exercise program after cardiac rehab
things will get easier after one year
always look how far you have come NOT how far you need to go
enjoy your family and your life
this is the begining not the end.
ask if you can reduce your meds. You will know by now which ones.
be positive you will start to feel better
be patient
don't start smoking again
don't drink to excess again
don't eat s**t anymore
LIVE TIL YOUR 100
Thank you Matt I have stopped. And am adjusting my diet. Salt fat sat fat sugar. I am out of breath just talking wich is hard. Rehab starts 14th March
Thank you. I wish you well
Thank you David. Good to hear you are all fixed. Yes I am very much looking forward to the rehab course. It’s mentally for me atm as well as physical. Can’t seem to get my head around the fact that I’ve had a heart attack. Am out of breath even when I talk. And have gone from being 100 miles an hour with my career etc to not knowing what to do with myself. Am slowed down completely. Am also really emotional. Angry sad scared to be alone during the day.
Thank you Rozy.
Will/am doing all the points apart from the meds. It only happened on the 2nd Feb so don’t know yet. Best wishes