AIBU to ask for medical advice following my dad’s heart attack.

[SonOfJohn]

My dad has had a heart attack and has been told the damage to his heart is currently moderate to severe.

Does anyone have any experience of what this is likely to mean moving forward? How much improvement is likely to occur to the heart? Is there the potential to still have a good future ahead? He is only mid-60’s. I wasn’t there to speak to the medical team myself and have had limited information.

I’d appreciate any personal experiences that might help shed any light.

His medical team will make good plans
Medication for damaged hearts is amazing now!
An echocardiogram will tell you how much damage and it may be possible to bipass the blockage in the arteries that caused the heart attack.
Lifestyle changes like support to stop smoking, increasing exercise also make a difference.
Every patient needs different care ..Mary not to worry .. medicine is amazing in this area?

Cardiac rehab, arranged the the cardiology team, usually involves peer support, and information and education

www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/support/cardiac-rehabilitation/what-is-cardiac-rehab

Take advice from your medical team and as PP above said, encourage him to engage with cardiac rehab and continue it life long - it really will be the key to him having optimal quality and quantity of life.

the cardiac rehab team will pace him and make sure he goes at the right pace for him.

My dad had several heart attacks in 2015. He then had a quadruple bypass. He's 72 now and is being fitted for a pacemaker. He's going strong. Cardio teams are amazing now, try and put your trust in them 🙏

Yes, to add my dad lived 30+ years after a major heart attack.

Our friend had a heart bypass 10 years ago at 60, had a knee replacement 5 yrs, ago, and is still active, works at the church once in a while, though he's retired, plays in a band, kayaks, grow his own vegetables and makes his own wine. He can fix anything and knows everything too.

So life can be long and rich if he takes good care of himself.
Best wishes to your dad.

I had a heart attack a couple of months ago. IME the treatment and follow up care has been excellent. It seems to me that cardiac care in the nhs is pretty good (unlike gynaecology, but I digress). The cardiac rehab service has been excellent, the classes, the written advice all really helpful.
Encourage him to follow all the exercise advice, make sure he understands and follows the meal planning and cooking advice, takes all the medication correctly, checks his bp at home. A fitbit is a real help to monitor heart rate, steps and so on.
He can sign up to the British Heart Foundation website for continued support once the nhs rehab course is finished.
Counselling might be a good thing to do. I am finding the psychological effect of almost dying harder to process than the physical stuff. I have a stent now and my doctor assures me I am fixed and will be fine as long as I take my meds.
I wish you and your dad all the best.

My BIL had two heart attacks when he was in his 40’s. He’s fine now.