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Mums had a heart attack

(32 Posts)
Katyj Sat 16-Oct-21 15:13:56

Hello again. Mum 90 had a heart attack Thursday evening, she is in a cardiology ward. We’re not allowed to see her, I’ve tried to talk to her via the ward phone but unfortunately she can’t hear me.
Had anyone experience of a elderly relative having a heart attack at this advanced age. The nurses aren’t saying much just that’s she’s stable and her medication has been changed. Just awful not being able to visit ☹️

Shandy57 Tue 19-Oct-21 20:58:46

Great news! Best wishes for her continued good health.

BlueBelle Tue 19-Oct-21 19:11:17

Oh what good news KatyJ ??

V3ra Tue 19-Oct-21 19:07:54

That's lovely news! Your mum will probably rest and sleep better at home rather than in hospital.

Marydoll Tue 19-Oct-21 19:04:34

Great news, Katyj. You must also look after yourself!

Katyj Tue 19-Oct-21 19:03:44

Hi. Just an update. Mum came home today from hospital. She’s very tired but otherwise not too bad. She seems to be tolerating her new medication ?
Have to hope for the best now and try and keep her spirits up. Thank you everyone.

sodapop Sun 17-Oct-21 09:16:15

I agree with Nonogran I wish you well caring for your Mum KatyJ
Look after yourself as well. flowers

Nonogran Sat 16-Oct-21 21:21:14

KatyJ you will probably have some challenges ahead of you yet to be foreseen. Come back to us if & when you need a bit of consolation or support. Meanwhile you sound very grounded & sensible. Keep it up.
Sending a hug & flowers.

lavenderzen Sat 16-Oct-21 20:33:14

So sorry to read about your Mum KatyJ. Hope things soon improve flowers

Marydoll Sat 16-Oct-21 20:30:25

Thanks KatyJ, I certainly don't want to repeat that experience. When I had my previous heart attack before Covid, I was spoiled with visitors.
There are people who didn't get to say goodbye to family who were Covid victims, so I can't complain.

I was lucky, Coronary Care had just opened up after a Covid outbreak and I was put in isolation for my own safety. The staff were amazing in the face of great adversity. I'm sure your mum will be well looked after.
I hope you have better news tomorrow.

Katyj Sat 16-Oct-21 20:24:53

It’s all so difficult Marydoll. What a terrible time you’ve had, it’s bad enough being ill without all the other stress of covid. Hope your feeling much better.
When mum had COVID last year I was able to drop things off at the ward door for her, but at this hospital it’s not allowed .I’m going to see what Monday brings, I’ll think they’ll send her home after the echogram as there’s nothing more they can do.

Marydoll Sat 16-Oct-21 20:00:59

Our local hospital has suspended all visiting at the moment, due to a rise community based infections. It so difficult and sad for those, who cannot see their loved dones.

Marydoll Sat 16-Oct-21 19:48:49

Katyj, I'm so sorry to hear about your mum.

I had a heart attack in the middle of the pandemic, went in an ambulance on my own, as no-one was allowed in A&E or high dependency due to Covid.
When I was discharged, my husband had to stand in the car park outside the discharge lounge door and a nurse handed me over.

It was very difficult situation to be in, but the staff were kindness itself. My husband brought my phone and handed it in to staff through a window. Would your mum manage to speak on a mobile phone, with the help of staff.

I have just seen your latest post and pleased to see you have more news.
As I was sheilding, they wanted me home as soon as possible, but rushed all the scans first, to enable changes in medication. They were done in the ward to keep me safe.

I hope you are able to see your mum very soon.

growstuff Sat 16-Oct-21 19:43:07

I looked up visiting procedures for my local hospital.

No visits at all for the first 48 hours, then only pre-booked and visitors in pairs maximum must take an LFT test before the visit.

It looks as though it's standard practice.

maddyone Sat 16-Oct-21 19:41:57

I’m so sorry to hear about your mum Katy. I haven’t any advice as none of my parents or PiL have had heart attacks, but just sending you flowers

Katyj Sat 16-Oct-21 19:35:23

Thank you.nonogran that’s amazing, I do think their stubbornness keeps them going.
Just had a phone call from the Dr. What a lovely man spoke very clearly and answered all my questions. She has had a small heart attack, he’ll know more when they’ve done the echogram in a couple of days. There’s nothing they can do except drug treatment, she is severely frail with blocked arteries unfortunately, going to try and get her home ASAP.
I’ve insisted they make sure she is tolerating the new drugs first as she very rarely does. Also that she can walk unaided without becoming dizzy. She’s already unsteady, can’t see her being any better now.
He’s asked mum about DNR order mum agreed to it, but because she has some cognitive impairment he’s had to ask me too.I’ve also agreed but glad she’s said it’s what she wants too. Have to see what the next few days bring ?

Sparklefizz Sat 16-Oct-21 17:58:06

So sorry to hear about your Mum Katyj.
I can't add anything useful but just sending my very warmest wishes. flowers

Nonogran Sat 16-Oct-21 17:34:32

My mum had chest pain. She walked to the bus stop from her flat & caught the bus a short distance to her surgery. The nurse administered her planned Vit B 12 injection and gave mum an ECG! Mum had kept quiet about the pain in her chest until into proper conversation with nurse. Mum was in the throes of a heart attack! Off to A&E she went.
Mum was 94 at the time & is still going strong at 96. All is not lost. Keep the faith.

Katyj Sat 16-Oct-21 17:04:41

Thank you everyone , your all so supportive. I feel about as useful as a chocolate teapot ! BlueBelle how lovely that you were able to sit with your mum they sound very kind. Yes it because of Covid still, you’d think I’d be used to it by now, she has had five admissions during the last 2 years.
I hate being in A and E though so as cowardly as it sounds i was relieved not to be able to go ,developed a real dread of it but I can cope with the wards.
I’m probably being a bit impatient, she only managed to get a bed on the cardio ward last night so it’s barely 24 hours yet, she was on an admissions ward up until then.
I’m going to ring later, see if I can find out more ,the Dr will have been today. I’ll be back.

growstuff Sat 16-Oct-21 16:37:05

When I had a heart attack, I couldn't have visits when I was in the high dependency unit. Even after I was transferred to the cardiology ward, visiting was still strictly limited. There are some very sick people in a post-heart attack ward, so it's understandable that nobody would want to take risks with Covid around, so visiting is probably even more strictly limited.

BlueBelle Sat 16-Oct-21 16:24:58

How terrible for you both
My mum died from a massive heart attack at 90 the hospital were marvellous and let me sit in an arm chair holding her hand all night they brought me a blanket and offered me porridge they told me if mum lasted another 24 hours they would bring me a fold up bed …she didn’t
Is this because of CoviD still, why you can’t visit ?

V3ra Sat 16-Oct-21 16:22:28

Sorry to hear this about your mum.
My Dad had a CRT pacemaker fitted when he was nearly 88, so a similar age. He'd had a heart attack some years before.
Hopefully you'll get some answers from the hospital next week.

growstuff Sat 16-Oct-21 16:21:07

Katyj Have you been told how severe the heart attack was or what treatment is planned? As other have said, the nurses possibly don't know yet and will be waiting for a visit from a consultant. She would have been assessed by a registrar, but she needs a number of tests, such as an echocardiogram to find out how much damage has been caused. The fact she has survived it is a positive sign.

jaylucy Sat 16-Oct-21 15:58:12

Sorry to hear about your mum.
It must be so frustrating not being able to be with her and I am surprised that they haven't done much more for you to be able to have a two way conversation with her as they must be aware of her hearing difficulty.
Unfortunately, due to data protection they do tend to be a bit cagey with information over the phone as I bet they have had people call, claiming to be a close relative when they are not so will only give the basic info to everybody.
Weekends are hardest as considering that hospitals are 24/7, they still have fewer staff on duty and where possible, they will have sent as many patients home as possible.
If you can wait until Monday morning to call again and you will probably be told more. Leave your call until late morning /early afternoon so the consultant will have done their rounds.
I must say that in my experience , the staff on cardiac wards are very kind and helpful and will take great care of your mum.

nanaK54 Sat 16-Oct-21 15:45:22

I am so sorry that I can't help with useful information, just sending kindest thoughts flowers

crazyH Sat 16-Oct-21 15:36:19

No personal experience of this but I wish your Mum gets well soon flowers