A journey through a heart attack and out the other side
Discussion
Well,
I might as well do something positive as I'm here lying in a hospital bed recovering from a heart attack.
I had mine on Friday, probably about 12:30 or so and by 2:30 I had been a stented and was on my way to the cardio ward.
For many reasons I was very lucky; being in a large city that bypasses A&E for heart attacks and sends you straight to a specialist team who intervine immediately to try and reduce the risk of developing more debilitating damage.
I will more than likely make a full recovery.
So why the post?
Well, because, looking back there were signs over the last few weeks that I had ignored; headache, stiff neck, sudden changes in mood and symptoms that could easily be dismissed (like I did), as 'just a virus' or being stressed - you know, normal daily life.
So, if you feel the same, or similar and it lasts more than a handful of days, at least go see your GP and get it checked out.
Having a heart attack hurts, a lot. But it's nothing compared to the pain of them sticking a canula in your groin femoral artery and then afterwards when they plug it.
So please, don't dismiss the symptoms and think 'it's nothing'. Because there's few things harder than sitting in the back of an ambulance sending a text to your loved ones telling them how much you love them... thinking it might be the last thing from you they ever read.
I might as well do something positive as I'm here lying in a hospital bed recovering from a heart attack.
I had mine on Friday, probably about 12:30 or so and by 2:30 I had been a stented and was on my way to the cardio ward.
For many reasons I was very lucky; being in a large city that bypasses A&E for heart attacks and sends you straight to a specialist team who intervine immediately to try and reduce the risk of developing more debilitating damage.
I will more than likely make a full recovery.
So why the post?
Well, because, looking back there were signs over the last few weeks that I had ignored; headache, stiff neck, sudden changes in mood and symptoms that could easily be dismissed (like I did), as 'just a virus' or being stressed - you know, normal daily life.
So, if you feel the same, or similar and it lasts more than a handful of days, at least go see your GP and get it checked out.
Having a heart attack hurts, a lot. But it's nothing compared to the pain of them sticking a canula in your groin femoral artery and then afterwards when they plug it.
So please, don't dismiss the symptoms and think 'it's nothing'. Because there's few things harder than sitting in the back of an ambulance sending a text to your loved ones telling them how much you love them... thinking it might be the last thing from you they ever read.
Sobering read!
I can only wish you as most will a swift & full recovery.
My late father had heart issues for many years so I've learnt a little about these things.
You are still here which is the best thing. Follow all the medical advice you will be given.
Change what you need to change & don't look back.
Can I ask your age?
I wish you all the very best.
I can only wish you as most will a swift & full recovery.
My late father had heart issues for many years so I've learnt a little about these things.
You are still here which is the best thing. Follow all the medical advice you will be given.
Change what you need to change & don't look back.
Can I ask your age?
I wish you all the very best.
Mine started with pains in the arms - which I put down to overdoing things in the garden / waxing cars the day before.
I was much luckier with my angioplasty - they went in through my wrist - although the 2nd time, the compression band they put on left me in agony.
I also had to endure 6 hours of morphine and attempts to clear things with clot busters before being transferred to another hospital for a rescue angioplasty. Still not sure if this contributed to my reduced heart capacity now or not.
I was much luckier with my angioplasty - they went in through my wrist - although the 2nd time, the compression band they put on left me in agony.
I also had to endure 6 hours of morphine and attempts to clear things with clot busters before being transferred to another hospital for a rescue angioplasty. Still not sure if this contributed to my reduced heart capacity now or not.
Edited by Trabi601 on Sunday 5th June 22:35
Just picked up on you sending texts from the ambulance... you've only had a little one 
I was so full of morphine, I can't really recall anything about either ambulance trip! - one thing I do recall is shouting 'tell them to hurry up, I'm f
king dying' whilst the 999 call handler was telling my wife to find some aspirin. (I also recall her saying 'we've got Alka Seltzer, is that any good?)
I was so full of morphine, I can't really recall anything about either ambulance trip! - one thing I do recall is shouting 'tell them to hurry up, I'm f
king dying' whilst the 999 call handler was telling my wife to find some aspirin. (I also recall her saying 'we've got Alka Seltzer, is that any good?)It was a little one. It was bad enough. I can't imagine what a big heart attck is like.
It's been a wakeup call for lots of things.
But I also need to move on and learn to trust my body that it won't happen again. I think that comes with time. I can already see that that is going to be a nagging thing for a while to come.
It's been a wakeup call for lots of things.
But I also need to move on and learn to trust my body that it won't happen again. I think that comes with time. I can already see that that is going to be a nagging thing for a while to come.
Wishing you a Speedy recovery, makes me think that I may have been lucky so far. I turned 50 last weekend, drink too much, still smoke and run a stressful business.
I went for an MOT at the docs 3 weeks ago and have an appointment next week for the results of the blood pressure monitor I had to wear for 24 hours.
I went for an MOT at the docs 3 weeks ago and have an appointment next week for the results of the blood pressure monitor I had to wear for 24 hours.
drivin_me_nuts said:
I will more than likely make a full recovery.
Best of luck mate. Hope all goes well. It is a fairly rapid road to recovery for those with motivation. I volunteer for an organisation. We meet quarterly. At one meeting one member said he didn't feel too good and early the next morning he was carted off to hospital. The rest of us didn't hear of it for a week - the chap lives alone - and he phoned the chair when he got home.
At the next meeting, 3 months later, he was there, looking fitter and, according to him, feeling much better than he had for years.
It was a bit of a wake-up call for me as we were both the same height and weight. I don't smoke or drink, so that's a positive for me.
I'm exercising more, even being at a gym for the first time since 1979. It's never too late until, well, until.
As I said, best of luck.
Well I'll be home tomorrow and the damage that has been done is minimal. One stent fitted, no blockages anywhere else and a cholesterol level well within the boundaries of healthy.
So all good.
But what you don't realise is that afterwards the shock hits like a tidal wave. It's been the same for those around me - emotions up and down and all over the place with regard to the shock of the whole thing. That in itself is enough to send the BP up and the brain into a semi-meltdown.
I can see that the fear of it coming back again is going to be a work in progress. I can understand very clearly why people can lose their self confidence and 'trust ' in their body.
Mine seems to be just a case of being 'unlucky', but actually I feel very lucky.
The rehab people had a long chat with me this morning. Change those aspects that need changing, but don't change your life because what has happened. I think I understand what she means.
So all good.
But what you don't realise is that afterwards the shock hits like a tidal wave. It's been the same for those around me - emotions up and down and all over the place with regard to the shock of the whole thing. That in itself is enough to send the BP up and the brain into a semi-meltdown.
I can see that the fear of it coming back again is going to be a work in progress. I can understand very clearly why people can lose their self confidence and 'trust ' in their body.
Mine seems to be just a case of being 'unlucky', but actually I feel very lucky.
The rehab people had a long chat with me this morning. Change those aspects that need changing, but don't change your life because what has happened. I think I understand what she means.
drivin_me_nuts said:
Well I'll be home tomorrow and the damage that has been done is minimal. One stent fitted, no blockages anywhere else and a cholesterol level well within the boundaries of healthy.
So all good.
But what you don't realise is that afterwards the shock hits like a tidal wave. It's been the same for those around me - emotions up and down and all over the place with regard to the shock of the whole thing. That in itself is enough to send the BP up and the brain into a semi-meltdown.
I can see that the fear of it coming back again is going to be a work in progress. I can understand very clearly why people can lose their self confidence and 'trust ' in their body.
Mine seems to be just a case of being 'unlucky', but actually I feel very lucky.
The rehab people had a long chat with me this morning. Change those aspects that need changing, but don't change your life because what has happened. I think I understand what she means.
No one talks about the psychological impact. This will not be easy for you mate.So all good.
But what you don't realise is that afterwards the shock hits like a tidal wave. It's been the same for those around me - emotions up and down and all over the place with regard to the shock of the whole thing. That in itself is enough to send the BP up and the brain into a semi-meltdown.
I can see that the fear of it coming back again is going to be a work in progress. I can understand very clearly why people can lose their self confidence and 'trust ' in their body.
Mine seems to be just a case of being 'unlucky', but actually I feel very lucky.
The rehab people had a long chat with me this morning. Change those aspects that need changing, but don't change your life because what has happened. I think I understand what she means.
Facing one's inevitable destiny is difficult.
If you have kids then be sure to talk them through things and reassure them as best you can. Don't bury it - be open - it will help them in later life.
I turned 49 last month. I still think I'm indestructible. Reading things like this is sobering.Gassing Station | Health Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff