mooglewulf
100994
1380
54
First night home after being discharged from the hospital after my heart attack days ago. I am totally scared shitless for some reason. Is it normal for this feeling?
Edit: I would like to thank everyone for the words of encouragement. This following morning, still scared, got out of bed to start my day. After eating a bowl of non-gazed mini donuts, I looked on my phone and saw what everyone has written, to know that people who don’t even personally know me, care about my health and wellbeing, made my scareness almost disappear. Thank you everyone.
Swankypanky
Probly feel helpless.Take back some control and plan your new healthy diet and lifestyle.Make a plan,and stick to it.Stop eating donuts…
CanuckleheadChick
I'd be scared too. I'm sorry @OP.
BoxZ
Yes. heart attacks are fucking scary
inkslinger089
It’s been 20 years now and I’m still kicking, you’re going to be scary for a while but in time one you fully process it . It gets better .
LiarLiarPantsUntier
Yes. Anxiety and depression are quite common after a heart attack. As in very common.
nibler35
Yup https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11825102/
cybored
100% normal.
PanamaCanal
Yes it’s a trauma response.
cre8majic
It's eerie to contemplate one's mortality for the first time...
Norben1
Yes, certainly. Try to go on a walk, even if it's just in your house or backyard. It helps with the stress and it's healthy.
softsuit
Rinse and repeat. Layoff social media for a month. Really. Drink water.
ProfessorDumbass
Very very light exercise
klean9
Retired internist here. Make sure you take your statin
Veraatje01
Absolutely. A friend of mine still has sleepless nights, and this is perfectly normal. Take your time.
CopperDotTop
Dude, it's okay to be scared, period. I had one a few years ago and it still haunts me. It's a traumatic experience.
lostlittletimeonthis
You were betrayed by your heart it's normal to be on edge especially at home away from docs. Find something that reassures you (doc number)
burningcouchwv
Hey @op, had open heart surgery 3 months ago. Better now
dpat13
That’s pretty normal..cousin had a pacemaker put in and was terrified it would stop working. He got over it with time.
sureasyourebornyourenevergoingtoseenounicorn
Oh yeah, anytime you nearly escape death it stays with you for a long while. You gotta find a coping style that works for you.
jethz
I fell down the stairs and bonked my head pretty good this morning.
ElbowDeepInUserSub
coffeebaby
Sounds like anxiety attack.. I would say that is normal
Mbcb350
I was scared for the first few days. I hated the hospital but there was comfort in the monitoring. I really needed someone to tell me
Mbcb350
What to look out for or what I needed to do & I felt like they’d just cut me loose. My chest kept hurting. It was hard. So I called my uncle
Mbcb350
Chris. He’s really funny. And I survived laughing a lot for an hour. After that I felt better. I did go to the ER again but I was okay.
Mbcb350
I just needed reassurance. It’s scary. You can be scared. You’ve been through a lot. Your body has been through a lot. It’s okay.
theyallwenttoMexico
@Mbcb350, your reply has almost as many fake internet points as the original post. Thanks for the info and honesty. :)
badcaseofthemondays
Whenever I take the bandage off my patients I usually say, "Look at your battle wound and far you've come." Remember that 1/2
badcaseofthemondays
It's okay to be scared...take your meds, watch your diet, live your life. -Cardiac nurse 2/2
d0o0o0d
Yeah. A cousin of mine had one a few months back. He was wound up for weeks after.
JoeT85
that feeling doesn't really go away, It'll always be there at the back of your mind
d0o0o0d
It definitely got his attention. The only thing I've seen him eat since then has been salad.
rabidCOVIDphysician
I’d say this is a normal reaction of a healthy human mind. Think of it like surviving a car crash, you’ll be a little shaken for a while.
rabidCOVIDphysician
Might not seem like anybody else was reacting the same way, but it’s just pretty mundane to all those healthcare workers
ProfessorDumbass
Afraid to sneeze or fap
d0o0o0d
... yeah, the doctors gave him some advice about 'strenuous activity', and it was "cool it until we get the test results back".
PrizmRed
@OP I was tweaked for a few weeks after mine. It’s been 8 months and I’m still having emotional moments didn’t have prior
Polymathena
Did they not give you an aftercare plan? Take care of yourself, listen to your body, and focus on your breathing. Comedy helps too.
inkslinger089
I had the widow maker at 28 yrs old, survived amazingly, a year later had a pacemaker/ defibrillator implanted. I’m now 47.
IAlwaysUpvoteSunsets
DEFINITELY OKAY. Natural, even. Hang in there!
Zorrodidnothingwrong
It is but it surely doesn't help. Has someone else said, go for a walk, it helps a lot.
Zorrodidnothingwrong
As*
Terevik
I was in the same spot you were in a 2 1/2 years ago. Yeah, it’s scary and you are going to feel paranoid about every thing you’ll do for 1
Terevik
A bit. My cardiologist said that sudden sharp pain that goes away is good and if its dull, that’s bad. It definitely gets better as long as2
Terevik
You make an effort to get back on track. Don’t overdo it, though. The first few weeks before cardiac rehab, just do baby steps like getting3
Terevik
Up and walking a little bit every hour. Long time lurker, but your post hit home for me and you shouldn’t be afraid to reach out and talk 4
Terevik
About how you feel in this situation
Silkyninja1
New RN blew out my vein trying to start my IV with my MI. I'm here if you need to chat @op.
Silkyninja1
Take things very slow and easy and you will be fine
mooglewulf
Where my IV was done, my arm does hurt, but I know it is just bruised blood vessels trying to heal.
DeVermisMysteriis
My Dad had a heart attack at age 40. Cleaned up his diet, got on a cpap and quit smoking. He is now 72 with 0 heart issues….
DeVermisMysteriis
Listen to your doc and follow all suggestions and you will be right as rain. I’ve seen it. Good luck, friend
spaznur
cpap? how does that have to do with heartattack? sorry im dumb
DeVermisMysteriis
https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/sleep-disorders/sleep-apnea-and-heart-disease-stroke
textilelover
Turns out if you stop breathing many many times an hour it fucks up your heart.
martysmoon
apnea super bad
DancesWithHippos
How do you know you are scared? If you are going by physiological symptoms (racing heart, sweating, hyper awareness) call 911 or emergency
DancesWithHippos
Line in your area now! If you are going by psychological symptoms (feelings of fright for the future/dread), probably talk to a therapist
DancesWithHippos
/counselor, but that's probably normal depending on the circumstances.
PirateRubberDuck
You know you can get many of the symptoms of a heart attack from anxiety, right? They should follow their doctors advice.
DancesWithHippos
Yes. I also know you shouldn't play your own doctor. If there are physiological concerns, better to have them checked out.
Feralkyn
Agreed, but it kinda doesn't sound like they got advice. Or if they did they haven't mentioned it here. Doc shoulda told them what to be
Feralkyn
watching for, what to monitor etc. which should also help a lot with the anxiety.