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.
Hello All.....I've been reading the Daily Strength and decided to post my story. Today marks 6 months since my heart attack. I consider myself a very lucky person to have survived the attack. At 52 years old, the last thing I saw coming was a heart attack. I was having shoulder and back pain for almost 18 hours before I found out I was in the middle of a cardiac event. My LAD was 100% blocked, I was rushed to a Cath Lab, and two stents were put in. My EF was 35% before the procedure. Things have gotten progressively better. I completed a 12 week cardiac rehab program in 8 weeks and continue to do the same cardiac rehab routine at a local gym 3-4 days a week. I've turned my diet upside down and have lost 25 lbs. since the event. I've had two EKGs done since that show no abnormalities. An ECHO done in late November looked good and my EF was already up to 50-55 and could get back close to normal. My cardiologist said there was practically no damage to my heart - just a small spot near the lower tip. The last time I saw him, he listened to my heart and checked my blood pressure and told me I could go back to doing everything I was doing before the attack and he'd see me in 6 months. It has been a life changing event. I am a teacher and went back to work full-time about six weeks after the event. From time to time, I do suffer bouts of feeling extremely tired. I do not think I've slept through the night since the attack. I can go 2-3 days of feeling great, then a day of feeling exhausted. Anyone else experience this? How many hours of sleep per night is suggested after a heart attack? I am on a low-sodium, low cholesterol diet and am following it very strictly. Could this be a factor in my fatigue? I am fairly confident that this is not related to my heart since I complete my cardiac workouts even when tired. I am on a regimen of meds that I take between 10-11 pm. each night. Could there be some carry-over into the next day on occasion? On the other hand, it has only been six months and perhaps my body needs more time to recover from the attack. To those who read this, it seems to me that the mental part of the recovery is the most difficult and will take longer to overcome than the physical side of the heart attack.
I'm looking forward to hearing what other survivors have to share about my experience and questions.
I'm looking forward to hearing what other survivors have to share about my experience and questions.
Welcome to the group! I hope you will find it as supportive and encouraging as I have (I had a heart attack and two stents 8 months ago). I am now getting to the point where I feel pretty good and adjusting to my "new" normal. I agree that the mental aspect of it all can make things more trying but we have to try not to be consumed with worry and fear (I know, easier said than done). It takes time to figure out what works for you so just take your time. At first I struggled with the same things you do (but I am getting to the other side of it). First of all, I recommend you try to alternate your meds to see what works better in the A.M. and what works better in the P.M. (unless your doc says otherwise, of course). Also, the beta blockers were HORRIBLE for me. Like you, I still did my workouts but was completely exhausted. I would ask your doc about this...maybe a lower dosage or a different brand may be beneficial (there are so many out there)! Also, a cup of chamomile tea, lavender, or warm baths helps aiding in getting good sleep. Check with your doctor but melatonin and Valarian root also help with sleep (all natural). Also, if you have increased anxiety, there are herbs for that too (I take basil oil and it really helps)! It is very important that you try to get good rest. This was hard for me at first but I have given myself permission to rest and even nap if I need to. I had to get past the fact that some may just think I am being lazy but I know that I truly need a lot of rest now and I am ok with that. :) I am SO proud of you for losing 25lbs!! What a GREAT victory! Please share what you have been doing, I would love to know! And keep your head up, it DOES get better with time!