What Is My Life Expectancy After A Heart Attack
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What is my life expectancy after a heart attack, that was the thing on my mind as I lay in bed 2 weeks after getting out of hospital but although I had survived I would always carry the stigma of being a heart attack victim.
The world wide web is a wonderful thing but it can also give you too much information as well and sometimes that information is not always correct. As I sat before my laptop my fingers typed out what was on my mind " What is my life expectancy after a Heart Attack?
Risks After A Heart Attack
Once you have had a heart attack for the first year you live in constant fear of having a second heart attack and with good reason. Statistics show that 25% of men and 38% of women who suffer a heart attack die within the first year. After the first year the figure drops to 10% and then to about 3% every other year after that.
When I first read this I nearly passed out as it was like someone telling me I had a 1 in 4 chance of kicking the bucket in the coming year of a second heart attack. I was scared, in fact it was all I could think about for months afterwards. It was like a loaded gun to my head in a crazy game of heart attack russian roulette.
But the recovery begins 48 hours after a heart attack, within days the tissues of the heart start to heal. As weeks turn into months any damaged muscle is replaced by scar tissue and this normally takes 12 weeks. But let's take a close look at those life expectancy statisics shall we.
Can I Avoid A Second Heart Attack
Ok firstly the stats include every single person that has taken a heart attack so one night I lay and thought about it. About half of those in my ward were over 65-70, I know for a fact a quarter discharged continue smoking or drinking, guilty as charged on the last count. I also know of those that don't take the medication they are given plus loads that refuse to exercise or lose weight. Dealing with stress and anger and having your blood pressure checked on a regular basis also helps. Please before you read on watch all of the video to the right, it could save your life.
The crazy thing is like most things in life people get over the initial scare and fall back into old habits like smoking, drinking, sitting about or going to bed late. I should know, I have done it but I have now got my act together because I don't intend to become a statisic of heart disease. So I think the proper stats for life expectancy after a heart attack once you take out the above mentioned is that one has a great chance with modern medication of living for many years afterwards. I found a few quotes from people who either had a heart attack or someone they knew had, read them and see that having a heart attack doesn't mean you have one foot in the grave.
Quotes From Fellow Heart Attack Victims
" Get your ass of the couch and exercise or sit there pissing about and die "
" I just live each day as it comes, I am getting on 70 years old and had a heart attack 7 years ago, how long before you drop dead?, nobody knows so get on with your life "
" Many people go on to live long productive lives after a heart attack and quite often it has a lot to do with your mental attitude"
" My father had a heart attack in 1977 when treatment was not as advanced as it is now, had a triple bypass in the 80's and has just celebrated his 81st Birthday "
" Do what your Doctor says, take the drugs and get a little exercise, you will feel better and do better than you did before the heart attack, a heart attack is not a death sentence "
If you are reading this after just having a heart attack I know exactly how you are feeling, my first year after it I felt like a walking time bomb. It is only now coming up to 2 years after it that my confidence is coming back. But and this a big but, don't get too cocky, it really is too easy to fall back into your old habits and forget that dreaded day. Stay safe, do all the right things and the Grim Reaper can go a calling somewhere else, I wish you luck. !!
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Comments
Cheers Scott I actually learnt a lot myself writing this hub in particular and deff that video is spot on. I had my heart attack 1st thing in the morning and I also had severe heartburn in the months leading up to my heart attack. If I knew then what I know now I could have had a heart scan or treadmill test and avoided a heart attack. I am hoping these series of hubs actually do help someone in the future, cheers for your comment my friend !
another winner, as usual! i loove the quotes...btw. praying you have a looong life so u can go on writing forever and making us all smile...xx
More great info and another fabulous hub, I think you have finally found your home on hubpages.
Myownworld I thank you for your lovely comment and hey a good prayer goes a long way so squeeze in a 2nd one ; )
Nelle thank you very much, I think I have not only found my home on hubpages but am also starting to find myself, thanks again !
That truly must have been scary, almost sitting and waiting for the next one. So glad your doing some of the healthy recommendations but also cut yourself some slack, you are only human. Thanks for another great HUB! Kimberly
Kimberly you are a real diamond and I for one am glad you joined Hubs as you bring a ray of life to the site. Your hubs both help and inspire people and your forum posts are second to none. Jeeez can you work out I am a big fan lol, thanks for the comment mate and I will ; )
Congrats for a great series Art. =) any clue on your next plans for hubs =)? Uhm, I just have one request - you mentioned something about a heart burn, how exactly is that related to a heart attack? In short, can you write something about the relation between these two? =)
I only have 2 Heart Hubs left Emi, one tonight on Exercise after a Heart Attack, then Life after a Heart Attack. I then intend to widen my scope and write about everything. Re the heartburn watch the video above, that guy had the same experiences as me but I will do a heartburn related hub just for you on Friday ; )
Art these are wonderful - but my they're scaring me. Though I agree with your pragmatic attitude. Debunking the stats and creating some reality around them. My old boss had a shocker of one. Don't know how he survived but he did. f I remember correctly it was his chain smoking that caused it. He stopped for a while but soon got back into it. He was great with his diet, pills etc. But not the smoking.
I need to stop reading these and flapping. I do, honest. I'm amazed how you and others that have had one didn't out and out fall apart mentally.
Well done Art :)
I did fall apart mentally lol, but I will cover all that in Life after a Heart Attack. Believe it or not having a heart attack is so avoidable and also if you have one the technology now is way advanced than it was years ago.
So please flap not FD, and I thank you for the comment ; )
Eating healthy and exercise are the two easiest to prevent a plethora of health problems. Even if you have abused your body in the past you can renew it by walking, which I truly believe in. Sometimes I feel energized after a three mile walk, and that is the best feeling in the world. I am even starting a new blog about my penchant for walking over driving, which I hope shall grow :).
wonderful hub! don't be afraid...you're educated now and doing all the right things. and that's great advice - get off the couch and LIVE. i'm a BIG believer in the healing powers of the mind. it sounds like you are on the right path. i'm pressing the UP button on this hub. xox
Sweetiepie I totally agree many people come home from work tired or depressed and just flap out on the couch wheras a good long walk makes you feel better mentally and gives you energy. I deff would like to read your Blog and when you start it let me know and I will put it's link on my profile here and also on my webite, besides looking at your pic just shows how great walking can make you look ; )
Ahhhh my great and loyal friend Cosette how nice to see you, I am getting my lazy ass off the couch, jeeez I tell you girl with walking and my mini trampoline I am one fit dude lol. I agree with the power of the mind though, and hey take a kiss back my inspirational friend xx
Always very informative, entertaining and inspiring, my friend. Great hub and keeps us all positive and encouraged. Keep them coming. xx
Why I thank you Viv, was telling someone about your hubbys swim joke in work today, deff got a lot of laughs. I thank you for your comment and trust me they will keep a comin, lovin the kisses xx
hello there having suvived a heart attack and a stoke myself I know exactly what you are talking about. your hubs are awesome
TrudyVan having survived a heart attack yourself your comment means more to me as you do know what it feels like. I am sorry to hear you had a stroke as well but am glad you are ok, many thanks again for the compliment, really appreciate it. And you take care !
This is so true and lets hope we all live long and prosper. I nearly had a heart attack myself with those figures.
Helen you just watch that ticker of yours, just keep fit and don't smoke ; )
My God, talking about death and heart attacks in such a witty and funny way :) Me likey this hehe :). Be well my good friend.
Hi HealthTip,
I started my blog and I will email the link if you like. It is called the divergentamerican because unlike many of my compatriots I am a lifelong walker and do not drive :).
Shamel even close to death I will be cracking a joke ; )
SP deff do post the link, I will link it on my funny videos site.
Never had a doubt about it :)
Very informative hub! Good writing!
Sigh--I hate it when you write reality hubs! Although told with much finesse (which I love) just be sure to take care of yourself. Don't go making me worry now -hugs-
Godslittle child - Thanks for that, appreciate it.
AIDY fear not because I intend to write both as HT and the Captain, so you get the best of both worlds, loving those hugs ; )
BC, so glad to hear you're on a good path now. I've thought about you a lot since the drama a few weeks ago. It's easy to ignore stress, try to drink it away etc. It's hard to take care of ourselves. We both know this well. Stay well friend and keep the great info coming.
Scary, but, great hub. I've not suffered one yet, but having seen this hub, I see how shockingly close I actually could be. Thanks a bunch. Be well.
Wow, a 1 in 4 chance. I know someone who had a heart attack in the past year. I guess it is important to get off the couch, though and enjoy life. I wish you the best and many years to come.
Great hub, HT. My mom had a heart attack at the age of 78, and she lived 10 more years.
Great Hub! My sister was only 20 when she first had her 1st minor heart attack then 2 years later she had another minor one. It's good to know a little about what I should look for to keep my eye on her going forward. Thanks again and great hub writing!
Sorry you guys, just saw your comments on this older heart attack hub. Jeeeez 2 heart attacks before you are 23 is awful, I hope shes ok now, thanks for all your comments, means a lot !
Scott.Life says:
6 weeks ago
Good advice Captain, my captain. I wish people would heed these words before having a heart attack. I know eight people that have suffered numerous heart attacks but refuse to succumb, sometimes I think they will probably outlive me even though they are 20-30 years older.