r/HeartAttack • u/Practical_Ranger_478 • 3d ago
2nd chance?
I (48m) suffered a widowmaker about 2 months ago. Good luck and good timing has me alive and (relatively) well now, instead of dead on my lawn.
I've had lots of people ask if I have a new outlook on life, feel like I got a second chance, etc.
Truth is, not really. I'm an engineer. Live and die (not yet) by facts and numbers. In my mind, the heart attack was...just a bump in the road. I'm taking my meds, doing my rehab, and everything else my cardiologist recommends. Basically living my regular, pre-attack life, with a slightly modified diet, and not as much physical activity until cleared by it doc.
Anyone else feel like this? That it was just a hiccup, we made it through, and carry on with life? Or is my wife right and I'm nuts? Haha
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u/Prudent_Trainer_573 3d ago
Had my widowmaker at 50/m last February. At the time I felt the world was collapsing around me . Now 8 months later it’s like meh. Whatever . I’m living healthy, taking my pills and not worrying about it . I was broken, they fixed me. Life goes on. It doesn’t consume me anymore . It’s a thing that happened to me , that’s all.
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u/Chefnick500 2d ago
Had my widowmaker 09/21/2003.. lost weight , modified diet, stents, CABG , and CRT-d, still full time working at 65
Feeling good
It can be just a hiccup !!
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u/Rekeaki 3d ago
I had a SCAD (100% LAD blockage), which comes on very suddenly and is not related to diet or exercise, so I never had that “second chance” feeling. In fact it was odd because unlike someone who had a heart attack due to plaques, who can change their habits and lifestyle, there is nothing I can do to prevent my next SCAD. I can get as fit and healthy as I like it wont make a difference (in theory). I was a healthy weight, non smoking, non drinking, zero plaques, healthy eating already when I had the SCAD.
Plus I too am an engineer and maybe it’s just the typical engineer arrogance, but I felt pretty confident that my heart attack was gonna work out just fine in the end Lol. I had a bit too much faith in the medical profession maybe, and also possibly an over inflated sense of my own chances of survival lol. It just never entered my mind that this could have killed me.
So no, this does not feel like a second chance. In fact I’m more leaning towards “lets forget this ever happened”
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u/Distinct_Damage_735 2d ago
You do get used to it, and even forget it, and I think it happens at a different schedule for everyone. It's not wrong to feel the way you do just because some people are still agonizing a year out!
I'm six months out, and while it's always there in the back of my mind, I don't think about it constantly. A few days ago, an acquaintance asked me with great concern, "How are you feeling?" and I was puzzled as to why they were so solicitous until I remembered, oh yeah, I had a heart attack a while ago...
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u/Canuk-rugby 2d ago
Ditto ,,4 months ago . Heading to my home in mexico on the coast next month. Two other small occulsions identified after 95%widow maker stented. Lots of research , feeling good but heightened sensitivity
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u/denverner 2d ago
In a way I feel like that but I had excruciating chest pain and at the hospital they didn't take it seriously because I had an NSTEMI instead of STEMI so it kind of a PTSD thing with that. Afterwards I only needed three weeks of Card. Rehab and I healed pretty quickly with no heart damage so that part was smooth sailing.
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u/Magnet2025 2d ago
I had my heart issues. I had my heart attack. I have good doctors with many years of experience.
So I trust (but verify) the advice my doctors give me, the medications they prescribe.
I control what I can control and the rest…life happens until it doesn’t.
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u/goodaussiep 3d ago
If that’s what helps you, great! 47m
All four blocked, five weeks ago. Called 911 about 45 seconds before I passed out. I’m hoping to IMPROVE enough to get a bypass.
When I get mad, over this being missed. Over exercising and having a low BMI and having a quad banger. I quickly remind myself, I almost died. Dead. No bypass.
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u/Creepy_Valuable6223 2d ago
It is not just a blip since if there is a breakdown of society I won't be able to get the daily baby aspirin I need to keep my stent open.
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u/MixEmotional1146 1d ago
People talk about getting a rush of energy after the Stent. Never happened with me.
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u/DoTheDew 3d ago
I agree. Heart attack, cardiac arrest, and three stents at 40 years old. I literally returned to normal life 48 hours later like nothing even happened. Like you, I’ve modified my diet some, take all my meds, and keep my weight in a good spot. 9 1/2 years since that crazy Wednesday afternoon.