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Anxiety and Worry After Having a Heart Attack

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Posted 8/28/2005 2:00 AM (GMT 0)
After posting to another member here, I started thinking...how much anxiety, or worry have entered into your life since you've had your heart attack?!

 

Let us know how you've handled the different aches or sudden pains that have arisen and the thoughts that have gone through your mind when these episodes have happened. 

 

Perhaps something we've gone through, or how we've handled certain situations may help others that are going through these things!

 

My best to all of you!

 

Hugs, Teri tongue

Posted 8/28/2005 6:23 PM (GMT 0)
I never knew when I actually had my heart attack, so when they told me - I was pretty shocked! - Mainly because if I never knew with the first one, then how in the world would I know if there was a second one?! Then the angina started and they diagnosed it as 2 or 3 different types, one being unstable angina. So I worried a lot with all the new aches, pains in my chest, shortness of breath and I just knew I was having another MI!! :) I started eating healthy, walking on my treadmill daily! - I quit smoking, learned a little Tai Chi at home and well here I am over 7 years later and though I've had a few interventions such as stents and bypass, I'm doing pretty good!! :)

I wish you all the same!! Hugs, Teri :)
Posted 8/28/2005 7:04 PM (GMT 0)
   My heart attack and acompanying cardiac arrest hit me very hard...To realize that I had actually died and if I hadn`t been lucky enough to be in the ambulance when it happened I wouldn`t be here..If I had done any one of 5 different things just slightly differently that morning I would have been gone...When I first got out I couldn`t sleep with the lights off for almost 2 weeks..I started sleeping with a big stuffed bear I have just so I wouldn`t feel alone..In general I became probably overly preoccupied with info about heart attacks and health,diet,etc..I read countless websites particularly about cardiac arrest and ejection fractions etc..The worst thing was when I would feel dizzy or faint as that was the last thing I felt before going into cardiac arrest..Twice I felt like I was seconds away from blacking out and I got so scared and nervous because to me passing out meant dying..After the two false alarms where I went to the hospital once and my doctors another time (They felt I was over medicated) I had 3-4 other episodes of the same thing..I didn`t want to go to the hospital again for nothing so I decided to tough it out and see what happened..I usually would try and go and sit where people could see me in case I passed out someone would see me fall and be able to help me..But a few times it was late at night or no one was home and that was the worst time..I`d sit there and hope the feelings would pass..A couple of times I wrote hasty goodbye notes..Finally over time I was taken off more and more medications and the pains I would get became farther in between.
Posted 8/31/2005 6:14 AM (GMT 0)

SaraTG said...
   My heart attack and acompanying cardiac arrest hit me very hard...To realize that I had actually died and if I hadn`t been lucky enough to be in the ambulance when it happened I wouldn`t be here..If I had done any one of 5 different things just slightly differently that morning I would have been gone...When I first got out I couldn`t sleep with the lights off for almost 2 weeks..I started sleeping with a big stuffed bear I have just so I wouldn`t feel alone..In general I became probably overly preoccupied with info about heart attacks and health,diet,etc..I read countless websites particularly about cardiac arrest and ejection fractions etc..The worst thing was when I would feel dizzy or faint as that was the last thing I felt before going into cardiac arrest..Twice I felt like I was seconds away from blacking out and I got so scared and nervous because to me passing out meant dying..After the two false alarms where I went to the hospital once and my doctors another time (They felt I was over medicated) I had 3-4 other episodes of the same thing..I didn`t want to go to the hospital again for nothing so I decided to tough it out and see what happened..I usually would try and go and sit where people could see me in case I passed out someone would see me fall and be able to help me..But a few times it was late at night or no one was home and that was the worst time..I`d sit there and hope the feelings would pass..A couple of times I wrote hasty goodbye notes..Finally over time I was taken off more and more medications and the pains I would get became farther in between.

Sara. wow can I relate to you! I did not die, but was airlifted to the hospital which was only 20 minutes away. I had decided that I had to do something because I could not breathe (after days). By the time I got to the hospital my artery was 100% blocked and I had damage. I have second guessed myself, too. If I had only done this, or only done that. I've let go of some of this, but I still go back "there" sometimes. I was not able to sleep in my bed, and had to sleep in my recliner for months. Just up until a couple of months ago I still found it very difficult to sleep in my bed, and I'm still not sure where the fear lies with that. I guess I was scared no one would find me. I didn't say I had to be lucid or this had to make sense did I? LOL. My son just began a new job and is staying away all week. Soon he will get his own place. I find myself having a hard time again being here alone at night. Night time is the worst for me. I just got up because I couldn't sleep and took some sleep aids the cardi recommended. I have anxiety over not having typical symptoms, or the ones that I knew about. I worry that I might have another heart attack and not know. So, instead I worry about every little twinge I have. Your story sounds much scarier than mine, but I bet our anxiety levels are very similar. I am doing better....not so fearful. I find myself praying myself to sleep. I'm glad that Teri asked this question. I needed to get this off my chest (no pun intended).

Posted 9/2/2005 2:26 AM (GMT 0)

While I haven't had a heart attack, I can relate to the fear and anxiety that goes along with having chest pain, shortness of breath and other symptoms. Whenever I feel " strange" I always wonder...is it my heart, have my bypasses clogged up...and so on. They may be able to cure our diseases, but is there a 'cure' for the anxiety?

Hugs,

Claudia

Posted 9/2/2005 2:44 AM (GMT 0)

Claudia, to what do they attribute your SOB to?  I remember you mentioning this in the past? 

I've had a bit myself, but am not sure what the cause is either. :)

Hugs always, Teri tongue

Posted 9/2/2005 4:53 AM (GMT 0)
Claudia, that sounds very scary. What has your doctor said about this? I hope you check in with him or her, and get some information. That might ward off some of the anxiety. I know for myself anyway, that information does help decrease or eliminate it sometimes. I think your anxiety can be lessened. It's okay to talk to someone in addition to your doctor, like a counselor. Often talk therapy is one of the most effective ways to decrease anxiety and depression. Depending upon how severe the anxiety or depression is, medication in conjuntion with the therapy can be very effective. Hope you feel better! Hugs, Kathy
Posted 9/2/2005 3:45 PM (GMT 0)

Like Claudia, I haven't had a heart attack, I just have various arrhythmias. I'm waiting for a third ablation. Meantime I get the arrythmias, controlled up to a point by meds, tight chest, shortness of breath etc. 2 weeks ago my GP gave me 2 weeks off work for cardiac problems. The GP I saw today said he thought it was stress and signed me off work for another 2 weeks. But I don't think it's  stress! While I accept that stress probably plays a part in keeping me awake at night and making me tired, I feel really cross that because they haven't been able to cure me I'm being told that my problem is anxiety! I feel like being defiant and just going back to work. mad Childish really.

I do not mean to imply by this that anxiety is not a real and debillitating problem. Claudia I do understand how alarming it is when things seem to be going wrong and you have my sympathy, for what it's worth!

Posted 9/2/2005 5:48 PM (GMT 0)

I think anytime you first hear the words, heart disease, cancer, or you have a debilitating disease it automatically sends our bodies into that fight or flight mode and a certain amount of anxiety is quite normal.  It depends on the individual as to how affects each of us. 

It's real easy to tell someone that it's 'okay', 'I've seen worse'...or 'there are medications that we give you to help'...it just takes a while for the mind to grasp and understand what is going up and then for us to step up to the plate mentally and learn to 'try' and accept this and work with it to do the best that we are able to do.

It's not easy when it's a ongoing battle. 

So speaking for myself, I know first hand how the worry sometimes runs through your mind.  That's when I go outside and water my gardens and trim up a few bushes - just appreciating life a bit more. :)

Big Hugs, Teri tongue

Posted 9/2/2005 5:54 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Juliette, tongue

 

They are waiting on your 3rd ablation due to time restrictions?  That really has to be hard - I have a friend here on this forum that even after her 3rd ablation still has a few adjustments to make.  So I can only imagine how frustrating this is to you!!  Do you know when the ablation will take place?  Please let us know!

 

Hugs, Teri tongue

 

PS  Don't do anything that will harm your situation, we want you to come back here after that 3rd ablation and tell us how great you're feeling now!! :)

Posted 9/2/2005 8:53 PM (GMT 0)
Teri, it's sweet of you to reply - and so promptly! I just get fed up with it sometimes, as do we all. Next ablation should be December or January. It's just the way it is here, you get put on a list then wait until your name comes up to the top. Plus I had to wait for new equipment at the hospital, which has slowed things up.

Thanks for everything.

Posted 9/2/2005 9:33 PM (GMT 0)

Juliette,

I am so sorry that you must wait so long!!  That's terrible!  But we're here for you any time you want to talk, or vent! :)

Bunches of Hugs, Teri tongue

Posted 9/15/2005 12:57 AM (GMT 0)
Bringing this one back to the front... :)
Posted 9/16/2005 6:43 PM (GMT 0)
yeah  After reading the replys to this post, I decided to add my two cents here hoping others will not be as foolish as I was.  I had my first heart attack in 1997 at the age of 36 after having a stroke at 31 and a angioplasty when I was 32. 
Even with my medical history, when the heart attack begin to happen, I spent several hours fretting about going to the hospital because I had been to the er and dr's office and felt intimidated because my symptoms were minimized and attributed to stress or pms or other such things.  My pain began one evening and it got so bad that I eventually got up and dressed and decided that I would go on to er but due to fear of being treated as if I was making too much out of it, I talked myself into staying home.  I was lucky that the ensuing attack was happening slowly or I might be dead now.  I managed to go to sleep for a few hours and got up and drove to work the next morning, telling myself I must be imagining it because the pain was temporarily better (not gone).  By the time I got in my office and walked about 10 feet to the coffee room, my chest pain was so bad I could barely walk.  When I breathed in I got little oxygen and my left arm and shoulder felt like they were going to fall off.  Even at that point, I was afraid of being humiliated so I left work instead of calling an ambulance and drove myself 20 miles to Dr.  Meanwhile, calling my doc and they instructed me to stop, call ambulance and go to er.  At that point, I was not rational.  It is called DENIAL and a very real symptom of heart attacks.  I decided to continue driving to er and once there, instead of parking right at entrance, I went to parking garage and drove down two levels to an adjoining building which was about 200 yard walk to door but the closest place to park.  I was fortunate that I got there and was found struggling to breathe and walk, thru a tunnel to get to er, by a doctor who happened to be walking in tunnel as well.  He saw my distress and called er and got wheelchair and ran me there.  I had 3 arteries that were more than 95 % blocked and one was at 99%.  My DENIAL could have killed me and it is a special stress reserved for heart attack patients and maybe other emergency diseases.  I don't think this type of stress is what the Teri was talking about but it is very common and most often present when it is the real thing.  My message is please don't doubt your feelings.  If you think you are having a heart attack, assume you are.  Your life is worth a little embarassment if you are indeed wrong and even if you are not, it is most likely a warning of something wrong.  Don't be silly like I was.  Get emergency medical attention as soon as you think it could be a heart attack.  You just might save your life.
Posted 9/16/2005 10:04 PM (GMT 0)
>>>>My DENIAL could have killed me and it is a special stress reserved for heart attack patients and maybe other emergency diseases......My message is please don't doubt your feelings.  If you think you are having a heart attack, assume you are.  Your life is worth a little embarassment if you are indeed wrong and even if you are not, it is most likely a warning of something wrong.  Don't be silly like I was.  Get emergency medical attention as soon as you think it could be a heart attack.  You just might save your life.<<<<

   This is great advice and I am the best example of how true this can be..From the time I felt my first faint symptoms til the moment I suffered Cardiac Death was about 25 minutes!..I know many people who waited hours and even over night to go to the hospital

Posted 9/16/2005 10:48 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for sharing your experience - I'm sure glad that you are here to tell your story!!

Hugs, Teri
Posted 9/21/2005 8:00 PM (GMT 0)
Bouncing right along last year, thinking I was Wonder Woman. You know the type A personality, "I can do everything", & only I can do it, well that's past tense now.

Came off my HRT last year, mainly cause I was feeling on top of the world, plus my mom's family was plagued by strokes & heart attacks. In fact she passed from heart attack.

Feb. 05 my final dose of prempro was taken (weaned off slowly).
April, I was seen in the local er for tingling hands, feet, and mouth, chest felt heavy. Took x-rays and recommended a nuerologist for degenerative nerve damage.

May, I felt the effects of no extra estrogen. Made an appointment with my provider, seen at clinic. Explained, to the doctor about coming off prempro, took all my x-rays from er. Included, my menopause symptoms, he looked at me like I was the biggest hypochondriac. Mind you I was only seen when needed for pap's, & the very occasional sinus infection etc. Hardly ever sick. Kept telling me it had to be something else.
Handed him the x-rays from the er, he held them up to the light, says there is no problem... gave me a few exercises, take this premarin...see ya.
May, made an appointment with a chiro center, more x-rays to show the disk damage. Later in the month I made yet another appointment at clinic for: tingling & numbness still present along with tightness of chest. Regular doctor booked so saw new doctor. Blood pressure reading was high, plus no pulse was to be found in left arm (something my chriopatic doctor had found).
Doctor ran ekg, results normal, plus ran blood tests for high blood pressure. Monday, doctor to call with results and rx pick-up.
Come Monday no call...for the next 3 weeks no call.
He had actually gone on leave for 3 weeks after my visit, and left no one in charge of his cases.

Needless to say my blood pressure hit the roof.
June 05, on way to er the ambulance read out was 214/161. While there a ultr sound was done, normal. Shot of mama's little helper, and sent home.
No blood pressure medicine because the clinic had tests running...just no doctor.
Three weeks of blood pressure rising, clinic told me just go to the emergency room if bottom # reaches 110. Real close several times, but thank God I didn't have to go again.
Never been so scared in all my life, anxiety just took over, that raised the blood pressure all by itself.
Clinic doctor did made it back by the way....he sent me to the hospital for admitance.
There for a week, 2 cath's done on my left arm, blockage in left shoulder (reason for no blood pressure). First cath produced vasospasms, nitro used to reduce. Vaso surgeon requested to do second cath, with advance procedures, still no sucess.
Front heart arteries were wide open & free.
Coronary vasospasms were happening in back side of the heart all along.
So, medicine was given to cover the variant angina and high blood pressure.
Calcium channel blocker, beta blocker, aspirin, not to mention the nitro.

Blockers, had some side effects for me first and formost is the depression, lack of sleep, muscle weakness just to name a few.
Back to the clinic for the depressed feeling thinking maybe they could change med's.
Cardiologist said he was not about to change medicines , to try an ssri. Tried taking three of the different ssri prescribed...couldn't get past the 1st week on them. Felt worse than not taking them.

Days are better, well here and there anyways. Some days I still have to push my self to move and interact, just seeing the concerned look in my family's face pushes me along.

Aug. 1st was seen for swollen foot and ankle due to blockers, saw a new doctor who asked me if my uterus was missing. Strange question...
...no last time I checked do believe it was there. Then informed me the premarin should not have been prescribed. Quit right away....do you smoke? Yep, I had been smoking 20 years right up to the point of entering the hospital.
(Swollen foot and ankle....just another side effect).

Worry, anxiety they are alive and well here...think the main thing that freaks me most is the blood pressure reading that is higher than I think it should be. Not to mention the aches and pains, you feel anywhere around your heart area.

What really hurts is....people who seem to think, heart disease is a "catchy thing".

Just wondering do any of you have the side effects from your heart med's?

Thanks, for listening

Brenda
Posted 9/22/2005 12:43 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Brenda! tongue

 

That is horrible treatment you've received!!  It's so hard for me to fathom that it took that long for them to start treating you.

 

Medications like SSRI's need to be taken for more than a week.  I know if you are depressed, it's very hard to do that - I've been there more than once.  Trust me, though, if you really need to take them, unless you're having an allergic reaction - stick with them at least 2 wks. to a month.

 

Beta Blockers are notorius for making people tired, but once again, in most instances if you stick with them, it does get better -it may still seem like you are more tired than normal, but that high of a BP is definitely taking it's toll on you, too. 

I really do wish you all the best!!  Please let me know what happens with your med.'s and did you stop smoking? :)

 

Big Hugs, Teri tongue

 

Posted 9/22/2005 11:32 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Brenda..I can certainly relate as my heart attack/cardiac arrest was the direct result of HRT..I found out much later that at my age (Over 40) IF I was to do HRT I should have also been taking some sort of anti-clotting drug along with it (Even if just aspirin) and that a transdermal or injectable estrogen was preferable to a pill..Premarin was a definite no-no..That being said....My main side effects are tiredness and with the Lipitor some muscle aches
Posted 9/23/2005 8:13 PM (GMT 0)
Hi SaraTG & Teri16...

You know I think we all should have gone to medical school. Talk about naive...I really thought doctors "actually" looked out for your best interests.
That was something I believed growing up, and still thought so, until the high Bp and stay at the hospital.
Sad, I will not be able to tell my kids the same thing. (Call them kids....but, adults).
You can better believe I will be telling my children and everyone else I know, or come into contact with....do the research yourself.

You know looking back I would like to tell you I thought just one doctor cared and was so concerned he actually asked me questions. But, I can't. The shock just took total control, and I couldn't function.
When I went back for the 2 week check-up with the cardiologist...I could hear him in the next room with a patient. By the time he reached me...he had about 10 minutes to spare before needing to be in the cardio ward. Asked about changing my med's...he actually refused. Told me to talk to clinic doctor about a anti-depressant. Is that to keep me shut up or what? Refuse to be pushed to the corner. Maybe, that's why I couldn't get past the first week on any of those med's. Give you a anti-depressant but, don't take soy, vit. E or anything else. What's really scary is you have to check the interaction with everthing you take...I use a site on-line to do that. Hubby has a friend at work...who two weeks ago checked into the local er. His clinic doctor have given him a cough syrup that didn't react well with his BP med's. He stayed 3 days in the cardio ward of a local hospital, to see if any damage had been done to his heart.

Why are doctors not sharing their medical knowledge concering your health? Don't know about you... but, I get 30 minutes max at the clinic, if they have spent too much time with another patient...then much less than that. Any talks with the cardologist needs a referral, from the clinic. Try and get that.

(((SaraTG)))

You are only taking Lipitor for your cholesterol...not heart med's?
How long ago since your heart attack?
Actually, thought a couple of times, before controlling my BP...that I might have been headed for a stroke.
Did they check your BP? If, not ....get back in there and have them check it. Probably better to check yourself....do both arms.
Nothing to be messing around with.

Thanks, for letting me vent...again.

Looking forward to sharing more!

Brenda
Posted 9/24/2005 2:22 AM (GMT 0)
>>>(((SaraTG)))..You are only taking Lipitor for your cholesterol...not heart med's?<<<

  OH..No..I take heart medicines also..I just mentioned the Lipitor specifically for the muscle aches..I also take Toprol XL,Atacand and aspirin which accounts for the "tiredness" I mentioned...Actually I don`t really NEED to take the Lipitor as my cholesterol was never a problem since day one and now is really good..132 total..All the other numbers are well into the excellent range..My doctor wants to keep me on it because he said cholesterol numbers far below what is normally considered good have been shown to extent the life of people with damage to their hearts


Post Edited (SaraTG) : 9/23/2005 8:25:45 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 9/24/2005 7:54 PM (GMT 0)
So tell me Sara...

What life changes have you made? Change in diet, exercise more, meditation, yoga, etc.
Sounds if, you had the anxiety...do you still?. If, so was it med's, faith, family, friends etc. that helped you to overcome?
Somedays, I have such a hard time just getting out of the bed.
Then, other days...it seems like whole thing was just a bad dream.

Also, how often do you see your provider for tests and such?
Sorry, for all the questions. Trying to get some insight from someone who has gone before me.
Think, I'm just trying to put all of this in some kind of order, that I can accept.

Does it anger you, that your provider didn't explain all he/she should have?

Thanks, for sharing!

Brenda
Posted 9/24/2005 9:02 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Brenda! tongue

 

I'm glad to see you back!  Sara checks in periodically so she'll see your post soon. 

 

I also wanted to tell you that we have Cardio Chats on Thursdays at 8 PM CST - You are always welcome to join in there as well!! yeah

 

Hugs, Teri tongue

Posted 9/24/2005 9:40 PM (GMT 0)

>>>What life changes have you made? Change in diet, exercise more, meditation, yoga, etc.<<<

 

   Well I was always pretty mellowed out and exercised etc...My heart attack/cardiac arrest was caused strictly by my HRT and I had none of the normal health/diet problems that one needs to change afterwards. But just to be on the safe side I`ve gotten alittle more strict on my diet as far as fats,cholesterol etc

>>>Sounds if, you had the anxiety...do you still?. If, so was it med's, faith, family, friends etc. that helped you to overcome?<<<

 

   Most of my anxiety was from when I would have symptoms that were similar to those I had the morning of my attack and I`d get scared. Then of course I would play the events of that morning over and over in my mind. It was such a close call. I was actually clinically "dead" for several minutes so that had a big effect on my attitude in life and I think just the thankfulness of still being here and having a second chance kept me from getting to depressed and helped me have a positive attitude. 

 

>>>Somedays, I have such a hard time just getting out of the bed.
Then, other days...it seems like whole thing was just a bad dream.<<<

     A few people on some of the boards I`ve posted on wanted to "forget the whole thing" etc but I`m of the opposite belief. I never want to forget what a close call I had or lose that feeling of happiness and joy I felt at the littlest things when I first came home from the hospital. I used to get angry over little things but when I first got out I was smiling all the time and didn`t care about traffic or whatever. I think lots of people feel that way at first but slowly the slip back into old habits and that feeling of having a second chance fades and that`s sad to me

>>>Also, how often do you see your provider for tests and such?
Sorry, for all the questions. Trying to get some insight from someone who has gone before me. Think, I'm just trying to put all of this in some kind of order, that I can accept.<<<

   I go and see my doctor on Nov 1st and if all looks ok I won`t go back for a year. Other than taking my medications there really isn`t anything else they can do for me at this time or no need for any tests unless i have some sort of problem. When I first got out I was seeing a bunch of people as I was in fairly bad shape and was on a bunch of meds but I recovered pretty good and in that respect I am luckier than most. It`s odd in a way. I had a pretty bad heart attack but my health problems afterwards are a lot less than people who had milder heart attacks. I guess because theirs were caused by a lifetime of poor diet and poor over all health

>>>Does it anger you, that your provider didn't explain all he/she should have?<<<

      I don`t know if I was ever angry. Annoyed maybe tongue ..But I`m sure they do it all day and they`ve seen it all and heard it all so much that when someone asks a question they may know it`s not that important and treat it as such or shrug it off. The best thing we can do is make sure we go in there with any questions we have written down and get as detailed as we can about symptoms or concerns. Nurses are usually much more thoughtful and willing to spend time explaining stuff.

    Anyway please feel free to ask as many questions as you wish of anyone here. Also feel free to send me an e-mail anytime..My e-mail addy is in my profile..I know you are new so you may not have seen my long story about the morning I had my heart attack I posted awhile ago..You can search for it on here or I can e-mail you a copy if you`d like to read it..Have a nice day!  :-)     

Posted 9/25/2005 12:47 AM (GMT 0)
Sara, you just have a great personality and the way you are open and so willing to share things is very kind of you!  tongue

 

I'd like to respond to a couple of things that you mentioned and hope you don't mind (too much tongue ).

"But just to be on the safe side I`ve gotten alittle more strict on my diet as far as fats,cholesterol etc"

 

That's excellent advice for anyone - even before a Heart Attack - so I hope anyone reading this with other heart health issues sees this!

 

"I was actually clinically "dead" for several minutes so that had a big effect on my attitude in life and I think just the thankfulness of still being here and having a second chance kept me from getting to depressed and helped me have a positive attitude." 

 

As soon as I read that, I was remembering that when they sent me home from the hospital after my MI that's exactly how I felt, too!!  I came home, sat outside and just looked around at all the things around me that I thought I'd never see again. 

Thank you for reminding me of that - it was an ever so pleasant event!

 

"I guess because theirs were caused by a lifetime of poor diet and poor over all health"

 

That can be true, however, if you have certain hereditary factors, it probably wouldn't change a whole lot.  Both of us know someone, who was a vegetarian and very active prior to his MI.  Sometimes, you just never know.

"I think lots of people feel that way at first but slowly the slip back into old habits and that feeling of having a second chance fades and that`s sad to me"

You are right again, Sara!  It is very sad. yeah

 

Thank you for allowing me to respond.  Big Hugs, Teri tongue

 

 

 

 

 

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