Heart Attack Support Group

I was 42 when I had my heart attack, like you I had 1 stent put in. Mine took place in august of 08 so its been almost a year for me. I never did cardio rehab, not even sure what it is, I'm thinking its not offered where I live. I went through bouts of depression , anxiety and anger. My doctor suggested seeing a therapist, which I did. She did help me alot, I learned different mental excercises to help me cope with my anxiety. I still suffer anxiety and fear. Joining this group has helped me alot, made me feel I wasn't alone. I don't know if any of this helps you, I just wanted you to know you're not alone either.

Try to take it day at a time!
Cindy

Thank you CindyLW it does help knowing that I am not alone in this struggle.....I am going to defiantly look into seeing a therapist. My husband returns this week and I really think that will help too. The night time seems to be my worst enemy right now! Right now my primary care doctor has me on Zanex for the attacks and Ambein to sleep but I don't want to have to depend on these medicines to make me function. To be honest I haven't met many "young women" this has happened to so it's really hard to talk to my "normal" friends because they just don't understand. Glad I found this group though!

Hi Missy,

I really feel for you in your fears and your anxieties, it is so hard to get your head around what has happened sometimes and I know with myself that I was almost embarassed to think I had a heart attack in my early forties.

If you are looking for alternatives or other resources you are lucky that you have one of the best MD's around to do with heart health practicing in Florida, and that is Dr Al Sears MD.

He runs a wellness research centre and his details are on alsearsmd.com.

When I had my heart attack one of the worst things for me was thinking I had to live the rest of my life on a cocktail of meds, and whilst sometimes meds are the only alternative, there are things that you can do to take control of your own wellbeing which I think you want to do. Dr Sears specialises in working with you to get the best outcome.

Unfortunately I live in New Zealand which makes it a bit difficult for me to go and see him, so I really envy you being able to get there!

Best of luck

Paul

Hey Missy,
You've found a great resource here at DS. I don't know what I would have done if I hadn't found it. Everyone shares their stories and info and it's inspiring and gives me hope. I am 50, had my MI while doing aerobics on 5/24/09. Always tried to eat right and exercise, and I still had a massive heart attack. I now have 2 stents. Like you I have a lot of trouble with anxiety: every twitch, every arm pain, every palpitation is frightening. I am currently taking Ambien to help me sleep and Xanax for the anxiety. My MD says that after I get back to work and into a more normal routine I'll 'wean off' the Xanax. I understand you don't want to depend on drugs, and only you and your MD can decide what works for you, but I am willing to take them for a period of time to help me get through it.

I go to cardiac rehab 3 times a week and I think it has done a great deal to help me. I am the youngest person there (all the guys really like me! HA!), but I don't feel out of place. Everyone is very friendly and we are all trying to overcome similar health problems. If it's available I would recommend it.

You are not alone in this. I feel confident in saying that anyone on this sight will be more than happy to share, give advice, and just be a shoulder to lean on.

Happy thoughts and prayers go out to you!
Pam

hello missy3 & everyone ,

i am in strikingly similiar state as missy3 as far as the heart attack part is concerned . i am 36 y.o. male . , married , 2 lovely kids .

26-05-2009 ........i wont forget it ever either missy..;-)) i had a bout of AMI (heart attack) . one stent placed in my LCX which was totally 100% blocked .
got out of hopsital in 5 days.. took another 10days rest & finished with the first follow-up visit with my cardiologist & then immediately joined the cardiac rehab progaramme . oh yes , i used to smoke.. i dropped the stick for good.. it's really evil .
exercising at the cardiac rehab center with the ECG monitors..etc. & trained medics around me.. gave me immense confidence .
now i am working out on my own.. maintaining whatever i learnt from the re-hab sessions & getting better .

what i am saying here is..
you really need & have to get over the scares & start doing something good for yourselves . getting all panicky will not help
i am 36 , quite fit & i still got a heart attack.. so soon !!??
now i am on 4-5 meds & i definately have to exercise everyday
that's the least i can do for my body after smoking for 15 years.

so get out there & you will feel good.. take a companion with you for the first few weeks . eventually u will be good . trust me !!

hi Missy
Having a heart attack at any age is very stressful. I had my first heart attack back in sept 2003 one week after losing my job. I had 3 blockages and they put in one stent. I was diagnosed with diabetes one week after getting out of the hospital. I too suffered from panic attacks and couldn't sleep. I would fall asleep and wake up gasping for breath. If you can get into cardiac rehab I would highly recommend it. There you will be put on a monitor and will do exercises like walking on the treadmill, riding the stationary bike and working the arm machine. You work at your own pace and are monitored through it all. It will help you regain you strength and relieve stress. I go three times a week. hang in there things WILL GET BETTER. You are in my prayers
rich

Missy,

I am a 40 yr old woman who had a heart attack on 4-1-09. I had a catherization and was put on a balloon pump for 5 days. I died twice. When I came to I was in a haze and it took days and days for me to fully comprehend what happened. It was weeks before my husband and mother told me why I had had the ha. I was on 2 narcotics for my RA and it killed me...twice.

I still have panic attacks, depression, and anger. I am on 2 heart meds and Buspirone for the panic attacks. I cannot do cardio rehab because I don't have cartilage left in my left ankle and have to have surgery once they say it is safe...about 5 more months.

I am upset that it happened and because I was trying to live thru another medical condition. Now I can never take another narcotic for any reason.

I feel for you and understand all you are going thru. Hang in there and get that therapist. If I could walk I would be seeing my psychiatrist!

I was 51 when I had my heart attack - I left the hospital with 2 stents . I struggled with anxiety brought on by fear -- I was afraid I was going to have another heart attack and die -- I went through 3 months of rehab which helped to strengthen my heart and lessen my anxiety -- I eventually sort a therapist to help deal with the emotional struggles of having a heart attack -- I wish I had done so sooner. I no longer live in perpetual fear of dying every day -- instead I count my blessings and thank God that I did not die from my heart attack like so many others have -- I caught pneumonia while I was in Intensive Care recovering from my HA and could have died -- Every day I tell myself I'm a survivor! We all are survivors -- don't give up it does get better day by day.

Hi Destinyschild
I had my first heart attack back in Sept 2003 one week after losing my job. I had 3 blockages and they put in one stent. I was diagnosed with diabetes one week after getting out of the hospital. all was going well until July of 2008. I was working on my car and started having chest pains. I went to the hospital and they said they couldn't find anything wrong. My cardiologist decided to do an angiogram. I had the angiogram on a Friday and they found a blockage and put in a stent. I was released from the hospital the following day. Monday morning I woke up having chest pains again and went back to the hospital and they told me I was having a heart attack. They did another angiogram and found that the stent they put in on Friday was already blocked.They thought it was because I wasn't taking the plavix over the weekend (had no money to buy it and the doctors aren't around on weekends to get samples). They cleared the stent and put in another one. I was released from the hospital on Wednesday. I took all my meds everyday but on Friday night I started to have chest pains again. Went back to the hospital and was told I was having another heart attack. They did another angiogram and the stent was blocked again.They asked if I was taking my plavix and I told them I was. They put in a balloon pump ( a catheritor with a balloon on the end pushed through an artery in my groin up to my heart and hooked to a machine to inflate and deflate the balloon and help my heart pump) for three days until they decided what to do. They decide to do a double bypass. When they did the open heart they ended up doing a triple. This was the second week of August and I started cardiac rehab in November. About five weeks into rehab I started having trouble being short of breath so the cardiologist did a stress test and found the heart wasn't getting enough oxygen. They did another angiogram and put in another stent. I finished the last six weeks of rehab in December. I would go for a walk everyday to try and improve my condition.The cardiologist wanted to put in a defibrillator because she said I was at risk for sudden death. In April she sent me to a arrhythmia consultant but he said it wasn't time yet. He told her that I was still having trouble with shortness of breath on short walks and having chest pains with on longer walks. In may she sent me in the hospital to have another angiogram and found that the veins used for the grafts had collapsed and they had do surgery again to replace the veins with arteries. I have started cardiac rehab again but I still having trouble.

What a testimony -- you have a strong spirit of determination -- many would have given up but not you. Your story has given me much needed encouragement. Best wishes with your rehab -- I'm praying for you.