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Worried about a heart attack?

lvfrogs
1 Recommendation

I am posting this because I think that you all will understand and I feel like my family doesn't. Since being diagnosed with the heart spasms and the blockage, I have been worried about having a heart attack. When I have the spasm, I wonder, could this be a heart attack? Will it lead to one? I hate that I think this all the time, but am not sure how to get past it. I think that maybe when the medication starts working better, that I will also stop thinking about it. Any suggestions? Thank you!

Explore topics in this discussion:

Exercise Pain Heart attack Stress Verapamil

3 replies

Yatchzee

I was quite scared and depressed after my heart attack and diagnosis of cardiac spasms. It lasted several months, but I was able to go to cardiac rehab classes which gave me confidence. You exercise while on a heart monitor. The calcium channel blocker works well for me and while I do get the spasms and some pain at times, I know I can always take the quick nitro if the pain gets bad. I am not worried about having a heart attack at this time, mainly because I have clear arteries by taking the statins and the spasms are not as likely to cause closure with clear arteries. It has been almost 5 years now since my heart attack and I am comfortable with my treatment and my knowledge of how my body feels and reacts. I know that I can have slight pain and pressure and get moving and it goes away. I feel like exercise if MY cure most times, but not always. I believe that stress is my trigger for spasms, so try to reduce it. Relaxation techniques can help, too.
I hope you can learn what works for you and not be worried all the time. Do you have the nitro
quick? Joyce

gracie62

I know it sounds cliche`, but time really does heal. Each day that you are on your new meds and you go to bed without having had in incident, waking up the next morning will get better and better. It is very normal to worry like you are when going through what you are. We lose some of our blissful ignorance. Unlike many, we know full well what lurks within our arteries and it is like being in the jungle knowing you are being followed by the enemy. You never know when or where it may come from. However, in time, you will begin to trust your body more and more as it earns your trust once again.

I have days where I wake up with pressure and pain and feel like the big one is coming any moment. But then I get through that day. And the next and the next. Time will help ease your fears. When it seems overwhleming, turn on a comedy and laugh. Laughter really does heal.

Take care -
Dianna

lvfrogs

Yachtzee,
Thank you for answering. I have found it very helpful to talk to the women on here. It is hard for friends and even family to understand. Last night I had a horrible spasm, really thought I was having a heart attack and as nice as my husband is, he doesn't understand. I am grateful to know that this feeling will pass. I do not have the quick nitro, but am going to the doctor on Thursday because they dont' believe the Verapamil is working as it should. What med do you take, if you don't mind me asking? I am happy that you haven't had any more attacks in the last 5 years.

Dianna,
Thank you for your advice as well. My biggest fear right now is not knowing whether it is a heart attack or a spasm. My spams have been fairly mild, but last night was bad. I guess that scared me. I will do my best to live each day at a time. Thanks for the support!

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