Heart Attack Support Group
Heart attack is a serious, sudden heart condition usually characterized by varying degrees of chest pain or discomfort, weakness, sweating, nausea, vomiting, and arrhythmias, sometimes causing loss of consciousness. It occurs when the blood supply to a part of the heart is interrupted, causing death and scarring of the local heart tissue.
My dad suffered a heart attack the other day. At only 48 years old this is his third heart attack, his first attack after quadruple bypass. After running some tests they decided to give him two stents. He's still in recovery but I can't shake this feeling of anxiety.
Backstory: I am 25 years old. My dad has had health problems since I was a little girl. When he worked as a Fireman he survived cancer. He has diabetes, Lyme disease, rumaroid arthritis, a genetic clotting disorder, and circulation problems. (He also smokes 2-3 packs a day) He also lives in a different borough.
I guess the reason for this post is to ask if its wrong of me to expect the worst? I have severe anxiety and haven't been able to get a good night's sleep due to everything that has gone on. My dad doesn't like to talk about his health problems and doesn't want visitors I'm assuming because he doesn't want to be seen in a "weak state"
I guess I'm just scared that his next hospital visit will be his last. He used to joke about the doctor saying he won't survive another one. This is another one. What happens next? I've always had this immense fear of him not being around for the biggest days of my life (marriage/kids/etc). I finally decided to cut the negativity out of my life and enrolled in college in hopes to better my future, and now this happens. I'm just afraid of what's to come. Am I overreacting? I seem like the only one who is truly concerned and scared about all this in my family.
The worst part of it all is the fact that I found out last summer that I have a heart murmur. My Mom also has Wolf-Parkinson's White disorder. I'm just scared. My family doesn't open up often about the truth. Does he have a chance to live a long life after all of this? I really want him to quit smoking and take care of himself.
I can't lose him...
-Crystal
(PS: Sorry for the rant. I don't know who to talk to.)
Backstory: I am 25 years old. My dad has had health problems since I was a little girl. When he worked as a Fireman he survived cancer. He has diabetes, Lyme disease, rumaroid arthritis, a genetic clotting disorder, and circulation problems. (He also smokes 2-3 packs a day) He also lives in a different borough.
I guess the reason for this post is to ask if its wrong of me to expect the worst? I have severe anxiety and haven't been able to get a good night's sleep due to everything that has gone on. My dad doesn't like to talk about his health problems and doesn't want visitors I'm assuming because he doesn't want to be seen in a "weak state"
I guess I'm just scared that his next hospital visit will be his last. He used to joke about the doctor saying he won't survive another one. This is another one. What happens next? I've always had this immense fear of him not being around for the biggest days of my life (marriage/kids/etc). I finally decided to cut the negativity out of my life and enrolled in college in hopes to better my future, and now this happens. I'm just afraid of what's to come. Am I overreacting? I seem like the only one who is truly concerned and scared about all this in my family.
The worst part of it all is the fact that I found out last summer that I have a heart murmur. My Mom also has Wolf-Parkinson's White disorder. I'm just scared. My family doesn't open up often about the truth. Does he have a chance to live a long life after all of this? I really want him to quit smoking and take care of himself.
I can't lose him...
-Crystal
(PS: Sorry for the rant. I don't know who to talk to.)
There is always a chance he can live a long life but he IS going to have to take some responsibility for his care and overall health. He must quit smoking. Besides being bad for your lungs nicotine increases heart rate and constricts blood vessels. Diet, exercise as well as the proper meds are key to increasing his chances of living a normal life. I know how hard it is to quit smoking I smoked 2 packs a day for 40 years and quit cold turkey. It was the worst 9 months of my life but I now have been smoke free for 5 years. It is wonderful that you care so much about your father but you must accept what you can't change and let go of it. You can be kind and supportive but you cannot force him into doing anything. Let us know how you are doing.
Also I am a heart attack survivor of 5 years with two stents.
Take care
Jeff
Thank you so much for your response and kind words. Congrats on quitting cold turkey. That's amazing! I smoked about a pack a day (two if I was drinking) for about ten years. Decided it was time to kick the habit so I did cold turkey as well. It's really hard to accept that there is a chance he won't quit smoking and take care of himself. Last I heard he was on his way to pick up an electronic cigarette. I'm hoping that his girlfriend quits as well. She just survived breast cancer. I am thinking about giving him some time to recover and having a heart to heart with him. You are right, it is ultimately up to him to take control of his life. I can only wait it out and hope for the best. Thank you again.
Crystal