Had a heart attack on Monday.
Discussion
pidsy said:
Well, it’s in.
Had a 2 lead system in the end. Took just under 2 hours.
Got quite a cut under my collar bone - which is now incredibly painful. I feel very beaten up but it’s done so I’m very glad. Great team in the cath lab at Watford - can’t fault them in any way.
Paracetamol (lots) over the coming week and my chest should calm down.
My unit isn’t set to any particular parameters as yet - they just want to see what it’s having to do over the next 4 weeks then they’ll implement a regimen based on that.
Bet you are glad that is over! Hope the pain is manageable and they get you calibrated soon!Had a 2 lead system in the end. Took just under 2 hours.
Got quite a cut under my collar bone - which is now incredibly painful. I feel very beaten up but it’s done so I’m very glad. Great team in the cath lab at Watford - can’t fault them in any way.
Paracetamol (lots) over the coming week and my chest should calm down.
My unit isn’t set to any particular parameters as yet - they just want to see what it’s having to do over the next 4 weeks then they’ll implement a regimen based on that.
pidsy said:
Well, it’s in.
Had a 2 lead system in the end. Took just under 2 hours.
Got quite a cut under my collar bone - which is now incredibly painful. I feel very beaten up but it’s done so I’m very glad. Great team in the cath lab at Watford - can’t fault them in any way.
Paracetamol (lots) over the coming week and my chest should calm down.
My unit isn’t set to any particular parameters as yet - they just want to see what it’s having to do over the next 4 weeks then they’ll implement a regimen based on that.
That must be a weight off the mind. We’ll done!Had a 2 lead system in the end. Took just under 2 hours.
Got quite a cut under my collar bone - which is now incredibly painful. I feel very beaten up but it’s done so I’m very glad. Great team in the cath lab at Watford - can’t fault them in any way.
Paracetamol (lots) over the coming week and my chest should calm down.
My unit isn’t set to any particular parameters as yet - they just want to see what it’s having to do over the next 4 weeks then they’ll implement a regimen based on that.
As mentioned previously, had an ICD fitted 20/10/22 and while the chest/wound was pretty sore at first, it now seems to be '' settling in ''. Pain seemed to get worse after the first week but after the second week not so bad.
Unfortunately had a phone call from the cardiac unit last Thursday to inform me the ICD had corrected an abnormal heartbeat the previous evening. Heart rate went to '' above 225 bpm and rising fast '' but the device corrected it and sent a report to them. I did feel a little weird that evening it happened , as though I was going to faint / very light headed for approx 30 secs but them felt OK again. I didn't realise VT was about to happen again, just that I had maybe stood up too fast or something similar - until they rang and I then put 2 and 2 together. So, while not good, the device did it's job this time and prevented me going into VT with the life threatening symptons. Beta Blockers have been increased again and not sure how this episode will affect the '' resume driving '' date - if there now is one ! Am back at the hospital next week so will have a few questions to ask then and decide if/whether I can ever drive again. The main thing is the ICD worked so the pain is worth it .
Good luck to all here with these health issues.
Unfortunately had a phone call from the cardiac unit last Thursday to inform me the ICD had corrected an abnormal heartbeat the previous evening. Heart rate went to '' above 225 bpm and rising fast '' but the device corrected it and sent a report to them. I did feel a little weird that evening it happened , as though I was going to faint / very light headed for approx 30 secs but them felt OK again. I didn't realise VT was about to happen again, just that I had maybe stood up too fast or something similar - until they rang and I then put 2 and 2 together. So, while not good, the device did it's job this time and prevented me going into VT with the life threatening symptons. Beta Blockers have been increased again and not sure how this episode will affect the '' resume driving '' date - if there now is one ! Am back at the hospital next week so will have a few questions to ask then and decide if/whether I can ever drive again. The main thing is the ICD worked so the pain is worth it .
Good luck to all here with these health issues.
pidsy said:
Well, it’s in.
Had a 2 lead system in the end. Took just under 2 hours.
Got quite a cut under my collar bone - which is now incredibly painful. I feel very beaten up but it’s done so I’m very glad. Great team in the cath lab at Watford - can’t fault them in any way.
Paracetamol (lots) over the coming week and my chest should calm down.
My unit isn’t set to any particular parameters as yet - they just want to see what it’s having to do over the next 4 weeks then they’ll implement a regimen based on that.
Well done - and thanks for the update... I did wonder how you were getting on.Had a 2 lead system in the end. Took just under 2 hours.
Got quite a cut under my collar bone - which is now incredibly painful. I feel very beaten up but it’s done so I’m very glad. Great team in the cath lab at Watford - can’t fault them in any way.
Paracetamol (lots) over the coming week and my chest should calm down.
My unit isn’t set to any particular parameters as yet - they just want to see what it’s having to do over the next 4 weeks then they’ll implement a regimen based on that.
I tend to forget I have such a device, although I did hear this strange 'tone' coming from somewhere recently. I had moved some loudspeakers and got too close to the magnets. It was an alarm. Coming from inside me! It was rather unsettling.
Day 4 - I definitely underestimated the discomfort in my shoulder around the incision site - the first couple of days were really painful. It has got better though and I’m getting some sleep now.
My Medtronic base station seems to be doing its thing by the bed so just got to wait a month until they set some proper parameters for it then go from there.
Got a couple more appointments in the next week where I hope they have some proper answers for me re what the real issue is - at least I’ll have a name for the condition I have.
Feeling much more positive about it all now. Still scared of the unknown but I know the team at Watford will come up with something.
It has brought a lot of feelings up about how my dad died - it’s a long story but he collapsed while the two of us were half way up mount Snowdon back in 2002, he was a serving fireman and only 42. At the time, the death was noted as massive heart attack but testing for genetic electrical faults wasn’t routine - my cardiologist has been clear that more than likely he had the same condition as me and basically suffered sudden cardiac death - the way it all happened does also suggest that this is true. It’s all made a very dark memory of mine much more clouded. Lots of what if’s and other thoughts of how he could’ve been helped but it’s in the past and something I live with day to day.
I’m pleased with how well “hidden” my device is - some of the pictures id seen were really obvious and although my days of self conscious top off strutting about on holiday are long gone, I didn’t want it to be something really apparent every time I looked in the mirror.
My Defib1 form has been sent off to the DVLA - I can’t drive for a month say the hospital but do I just jump in the car on the 28th and carry on or do I need to wait for a response from the DVLA? The way they work, it could be months.
Wound is yellowing nicely:
Thanks again to everyone on this thread - you’ve made a rubbish time much more tolerable.
My Medtronic base station seems to be doing its thing by the bed so just got to wait a month until they set some proper parameters for it then go from there.
Got a couple more appointments in the next week where I hope they have some proper answers for me re what the real issue is - at least I’ll have a name for the condition I have.
Feeling much more positive about it all now. Still scared of the unknown but I know the team at Watford will come up with something.
It has brought a lot of feelings up about how my dad died - it’s a long story but he collapsed while the two of us were half way up mount Snowdon back in 2002, he was a serving fireman and only 42. At the time, the death was noted as massive heart attack but testing for genetic electrical faults wasn’t routine - my cardiologist has been clear that more than likely he had the same condition as me and basically suffered sudden cardiac death - the way it all happened does also suggest that this is true. It’s all made a very dark memory of mine much more clouded. Lots of what if’s and other thoughts of how he could’ve been helped but it’s in the past and something I live with day to day.
I’m pleased with how well “hidden” my device is - some of the pictures id seen were really obvious and although my days of self conscious top off strutting about on holiday are long gone, I didn’t want it to be something really apparent every time I looked in the mirror.
My Defib1 form has been sent off to the DVLA - I can’t drive for a month say the hospital but do I just jump in the car on the 28th and carry on or do I need to wait for a response from the DVLA? The way they work, it could be months.
Wound is yellowing nicely:
Thanks again to everyone on this thread - you’ve made a rubbish time much more tolerable.
amongst various faults with my heart is one you might have - who knows? But put on here just FYI!
I have a 'blocked bundle branch' which led to a low ejection fraction and ultimately the ICD, which sort of repairs this function.
The bundle branches are essentially the electrical filaments that surround the heart (my apologies to any cardiologists who might know better!) . When they are blocked (broken) it means the heart does not contract as well as it should - this means that the heart doesn't eject the all the blood that it should. That's my vague understanding!
As I mentioned earlier, both you and I were caught early and have had preventative measures taken.
I also have a Medtronic device and am regularly probed by people in a basement in Guildford somewhere.
I have a 'blocked bundle branch' which led to a low ejection fraction and ultimately the ICD, which sort of repairs this function.
The bundle branches are essentially the electrical filaments that surround the heart (my apologies to any cardiologists who might know better!) . When they are blocked (broken) it means the heart does not contract as well as it should - this means that the heart doesn't eject the all the blood that it should. That's my vague understanding!
As I mentioned earlier, both you and I were caught early and have had preventative measures taken.
I also have a Medtronic device and am regularly probed by people in a basement in Guildford somewhere.
Met my new default consultant today - they still don’t have my scan results and the genetics team are still waiting for results too. She couldn’t give me a definitive diagnosis but she did say they’re not expecting to see anything abnormal on my PET scan and that she firmly believes that it’s an issue with the electrical system of my heart.
If that is proved to be the case - the implant is the only treatment I’ll need. No other drugs or anything to take.
If. If the scan does come back abnormal - I have a form of cardiomyopathy- this can be dealt with using medication for the time being and as time passes, there are stronger treatments in due course.
I’m going back to see her at Hammersmith in 4 months when she should have reviewed everything they’re waiting for and can then tell me what the score is.
She has put my mind at rest to some extent but it would have been nice to get a definitive answer and plan today but it’s out of my hands.
I’m healing well and the pacemaker is doing its job so far based on a weeks downloads but that will be monitored by the physiologists going forwards.
I explained that I’ve had a hard time dealing with everything over the past 6 weeks so her decision to see me at Hammersmith is based on the fact that there is a strong support group based there that is solely for “younger” people with implants and she thinks it will be beneficial for me to get involved.
I can see a bit of light at the end of the tunnel but I’ve got a way to go yet.
If that is proved to be the case - the implant is the only treatment I’ll need. No other drugs or anything to take.
If. If the scan does come back abnormal - I have a form of cardiomyopathy- this can be dealt with using medication for the time being and as time passes, there are stronger treatments in due course.
I’m going back to see her at Hammersmith in 4 months when she should have reviewed everything they’re waiting for and can then tell me what the score is.
She has put my mind at rest to some extent but it would have been nice to get a definitive answer and plan today but it’s out of my hands.
I’m healing well and the pacemaker is doing its job so far based on a weeks downloads but that will be monitored by the physiologists going forwards.
I explained that I’ve had a hard time dealing with everything over the past 6 weeks so her decision to see me at Hammersmith is based on the fact that there is a strong support group based there that is solely for “younger” people with implants and she thinks it will be beneficial for me to get involved.
I can see a bit of light at the end of the tunnel but I’ve got a way to go yet.
All fun isn’t it. Back in March my wife had her 12 week scan on the Monday, on the Wednesday my cardiologist told me I was having surgery. I’m 38. Had previously seen the GP as I thought I was having an anxiety attack. Murmur present, Echo, mitral valve needed at least repair, but likely replaced. I had no other symptoms. Angiogram then a TOE. Saw surgeon and OP was scheduled, it was certainly rushed thought to give me time to recover for impending baby. All scheduled, then pushed back as we caught CV for the first time. Both suffered badly. The extended wait was torture.
I was amazed at how well I thought I was coping, but inside I was petrified.
I had the operation on 1st September. The team at Nottingham Trent Cardiac Centre were superb. Sternotomy of course. 8 hour surgery but they managed a repair they were happy with. There’s no point glossing it over. The second night in intensive care it was thunder, lighting. It genuinely could have been hell. Wires and pipes coming out of me everywhere. But I did everything they told me to and I was out after 7 nights.
One thing i was surprised about was the absolute lack of pain. Just discomfort. The mental aspect was much harder to contend with.
I cannot stress how great everyone has been. GP, cardiologist, surgery and nursing team.
Had an echo was week and it was a total success. They say yearly echo moving forward which I’m good with. 7 pills a day. Back with the cardiologist Monday for a review.
Best of all I’m sitting here with my 5 week old healthy son. And treating myself to a Ducati.
I was amazed at how well I thought I was coping, but inside I was petrified.
I had the operation on 1st September. The team at Nottingham Trent Cardiac Centre were superb. Sternotomy of course. 8 hour surgery but they managed a repair they were happy with. There’s no point glossing it over. The second night in intensive care it was thunder, lighting. It genuinely could have been hell. Wires and pipes coming out of me everywhere. But I did everything they told me to and I was out after 7 nights.
One thing i was surprised about was the absolute lack of pain. Just discomfort. The mental aspect was much harder to contend with.
I cannot stress how great everyone has been. GP, cardiologist, surgery and nursing team.
Had an echo was week and it was a total success. They say yearly echo moving forward which I’m good with. 7 pills a day. Back with the cardiologist Monday for a review.
Best of all I’m sitting here with my 5 week old healthy son. And treating myself to a Ducati.
''One thing i was surprised about was the absolute lack of pain. Just discomfort. The mental aspect was much harder to contend with. ''
Glad to hear you're on the road to recovery .
You are correct in my opinion, the mental aspect gets over looked . It is a big shock to the '' system '' / your normal life when something like this happens. I suffer from anxiety anyway and it has definitely been made worse ( was terrible while in hospital wanting to do the 'flight' aspect ) especially with the fitted defibrillator going off 4 weeks after being released. I seem to be waiting for it to happen again now even though I know I am in a better situation physically than 3 months ago , I have to try and not let it dominate my life . Easier said than done though.
There are hospital mental health teams though if you need to talk with someone - I have accessed one through the Cardiac Rehabilitation Team there so maybe it would help to have a chat with them sometime ?
Thanks classicfred. Im doing the cardiac rehabilitation sessions. I missed the pre gym chat which last week was MH. I took a leaflet with contact numbers.
I think I’m good now. It was more pre surgery while waiting for confirmation of the surgery date. Then being cancelled due to CV. That gave me only 8 weeks to recover before my wife’s due date.
The night before I of course got no sleep. But when they were wheeling me to the theatre I was strangely calm.
I think I’m good now. It was more pre surgery while waiting for confirmation of the surgery date. Then being cancelled due to CV. That gave me only 8 weeks to recover before my wife’s due date.
The night before I of course got no sleep. But when they were wheeling me to the theatre I was strangely calm.
Good luck with full recover.
Must be an age thing (for me) but I'm starting to worry about heart attacks and stroke. Been t1 Diabetic since 7, now 51 - albeit well controlled. Younger bro had stroke, he's 2 years younger. I suspect covid jab contributed...like a couple of other guys who had stroke and heart attack within days of the jab....I had my final one in October and won't be having any more. Untested s
te. Its amazing what you learn from research!
Dad also had minor tia 2 years ago. So I'm a clear candidate!!!
Whats worrying is living on my own. I know I shouldn't but its there at the back of my mind.
Must be an age thing (for me) but I'm starting to worry about heart attacks and stroke. Been t1 Diabetic since 7, now 51 - albeit well controlled. Younger bro had stroke, he's 2 years younger. I suspect covid jab contributed...like a couple of other guys who had stroke and heart attack within days of the jab....I had my final one in October and won't be having any more. Untested s
te. Its amazing what you learn from research!Dad also had minor tia 2 years ago. So I'm a clear candidate!!!
Whats worrying is living on my own. I know I shouldn't but its there at the back of my mind.
Edited by bonerp on Thursday 8th December 08:18
colin_p said:
Out of interest, those with an ICD or pacemaker, where are you all?
It would be good to get together.
Me, I'm near to Chesterfield Derbyshire
I am a bit far away unfortunately, top end of North Yorks and am not able to drive now . I was actually born in the very northern part of Chesterfield although it became part of South Yorks/ Sheffield when the counties were redrawn in the 60s ? It does say Chesterfield on my passport though It would be good to get together.
Me, I'm near to Chesterfield Derbyshire
What a day.
Just about to start cleaning the log burner out and all hell broke loose. Heart went mental, I got down low and safe as fast as possible (have previously broken teeth not doing that), lost consciousness.
Came to feeling disorientated and slowly got up.
I then did an upload to the hospital server from the ICD and at the same time phoned the arrhythmia nurse number, answer machine, left message. They called back five minutes later and confirmed I'd gone into VF but the ICD paced me out rather than shocked me out. They didn't see any need for me to attend hospital but said if I had another episode to dial 999 and go.
I phoned the Wife who was a work, took a few 'chill-pills', calmed down a bit as dropping dead does freak one out just a little bit and then finished off cleaning out the log burner.
Still as edgy as an edgy thing on the edge of the edge, but at least I'm still here to moan about it.
Just about to start cleaning the log burner out and all hell broke loose. Heart went mental, I got down low and safe as fast as possible (have previously broken teeth not doing that), lost consciousness.
Came to feeling disorientated and slowly got up.
I then did an upload to the hospital server from the ICD and at the same time phoned the arrhythmia nurse number, answer machine, left message. They called back five minutes later and confirmed I'd gone into VF but the ICD paced me out rather than shocked me out. They didn't see any need for me to attend hospital but said if I had another episode to dial 999 and go.
I phoned the Wife who was a work, took a few 'chill-pills', calmed down a bit as dropping dead does freak one out just a little bit and then finished off cleaning out the log burner.
Still as edgy as an edgy thing on the edge of the edge, but at least I'm still here to moan about it.
colin_p said:
What a day.
Just about to start cleaning the log burner out and all hell broke loose. Heart went mental, I got down low and safe as fast as possible (have previously broken teeth not doing that), lost consciousness.
Came to feeling disorientated and slowly got up.
I then did an upload to the hospital server from the ICD and at the same time phoned the arrhythmia nurse number, answer machine, left message. They called back five minutes later and confirmed I'd gone into VF but the ICD paced me out rather than shocked me out. They didn't see any need for me to attend hospital but said if I had another episode to dial 999 and go.
I phoned the Wife who was a work, took a few 'chill-pills', calmed down a bit as dropping dead does freak one out just a little bit and then finished off cleaning out the log burner.
Still as edgy as an edgy thing on the edge of the edge, but at least I'm still here to moan about it.
Sorry to hear that Colin. Maybe they will change/increase your beta blockers ?Just about to start cleaning the log burner out and all hell broke loose. Heart went mental, I got down low and safe as fast as possible (have previously broken teeth not doing that), lost consciousness.
Came to feeling disorientated and slowly got up.
I then did an upload to the hospital server from the ICD and at the same time phoned the arrhythmia nurse number, answer machine, left message. They called back five minutes later and confirmed I'd gone into VF but the ICD paced me out rather than shocked me out. They didn't see any need for me to attend hospital but said if I had another episode to dial 999 and go.
I phoned the Wife who was a work, took a few 'chill-pills', calmed down a bit as dropping dead does freak one out just a little bit and then finished off cleaning out the log burner.
Still as edgy as an edgy thing on the edge of the edge, but at least I'm still here to moan about it.
I had another '' attack '' on Tuesday night . Didn't actually collapse this time but was really light headed and had to support my self on a draw chest in bedroom or I would have gone over. Hospital rang me Wed am to say I had had another ' incident ' - heart was over 230 bpm again but ICD paced me out of it as with you. Second time in 2 weeks and fourth time in 3 months now so doesn't sound particularly good .... Had a few conversations with various staff at the hospital over the phone today but they won't/can't increase my tablets any further without the surgeon's approval. Rang hospital back at 4.45pm but they had had no reply from him as yet so another anxious night with probably no sleep awaits. Being someone who doesn't like to bother them , I waited until they phoned me ( the next morning ) to say I had definitely had the VT attack . I thought I had at the time but was hoping it was something else. Am surprised the phone/app doesn't alert me to ring 999 or whatever when it happens - it just seems to inform them but not me and I don't want to ring 999 or go to A&E for a false alarm.
.
Fred, sorry to hear about your latest adventure, I know exactly what you are going through.
As for my Beta Blockers, I'm on Nebivolol and most people struggle to tolerate 2.5 to 5mg, I'm on 20mg and it doesn't seem to touch the sides. Also on Amiodarone and Mexilitine, which are both nasty drugs and the last line of chemical defence.
Still edgy, but I've been here quite a few times.
As for my Beta Blockers, I'm on Nebivolol and most people struggle to tolerate 2.5 to 5mg, I'm on 20mg and it doesn't seem to touch the sides. Also on Amiodarone and Mexilitine, which are both nasty drugs and the last line of chemical defence.
Still edgy, but I've been here quite a few times.
For those of you with VF / tachycardia can I ask what the prognosis is?
I had SVT at 180 - 220 daily attacks over a 4 month period; every time it came on it felt like the lift had just dropped and I was falling through the floor. Beta blockers were having no impact at all.
After 2 - 3 overnight stays in hospital and heart “re-boots” I had a 4 hour ablation operation going in through the groin.
Is this a common resolution? Since then I have not had the SVT issue, although a few other challenges continue.
Interested in others’ experiences…
I had SVT at 180 - 220 daily attacks over a 4 month period; every time it came on it felt like the lift had just dropped and I was falling through the floor. Beta blockers were having no impact at all.
After 2 - 3 overnight stays in hospital and heart “re-boots” I had a 4 hour ablation operation going in through the groin.
Is this a common resolution? Since then I have not had the SVT issue, although a few other challenges continue.
Interested in others’ experiences…
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