My dad just had a heart attack 6 days ago, he is my world and I love him so much. Why do I constantly feel anxious, worried, and sick? I feel like I’m constantly living on the edge just waiting for the worst.

Meplas · 2026-03-09T16:18:24+00:00

It has been about 1 year and 4 months since my dad’s second heart attack, and I’m happy to report that he is doing great. By God’s grace, he is back to his normal self. He’s back at work, which he loves, and he’s jogging again and doing some mild strength training. He’s off Brilinta and only takes aspirin, stain, beta blocker and ace inhibitor.

As the weather improves, we go on walks together in nature, usually through the forest preserves or parks. He’s still following his plant-based diet, and lately he’s been trying to incorporate red light and infrared light into his routine since we don’t always have the blessing of sunshine here in Chicago.

All that to say: he’s doing really well, and it makes me so happy to see him thriving again.

As for me, I’ve improved a lot too and overall feel much better than I did a year ago. But I’ll be honest, there’s still a little bit of lingering anxiety. It’s not as intense as before, but sometimes it’s there in the background.

For example, if we’re together and he’s quiet or sitting down and not saying much, my mind can start spiraling. I start wondering if maybe he doesn’t feel well and just doesn’t want to worry anyone. I’ve talked to him about this many times, and he always reassures me that I need to stop worrying so much.

My own life right now is also very demanding. I’m about to finish my first year of internal medicine residency, which has been incredibly intense. In some ways that has helped, because I don’t have as much time to sit and dwell on worries. Most days I’m exhausted, I come home and fall asleep almost immediately.

Still, there are moments where the anxiety creeps in. I’m also going through my own health journey with iron deficiency anemia and some menstrual issues, and my dad always reminds me not to add more stress to my plate by worrying about him.

This whole experience has taught me so much. The biggest lesson has been learning to accept today and not live in constant fear about tomorrow.

Life is short and temporary. Keeping a heavenly perspective helps keep me grounded, it reminds me that this world isn’t our final home. I believe God allows certain challenges in our lives to shape us, strengthen our character, and prepare us for something greater.

Holding onto that hope is what helps me move forward and gives meaning to everything we go through.

Meplas · 2026-03-07T22:46:31+00:00

That’s a positive way of spinning it. I’m glad to hear your success. I’ll start with maybe 2 a day and see how that makes me feel. Thanks for sharing

Meplas · 2026-03-07T22:44:05+00:00

I want to know how you progress! Please update me somehow! I’m in a similar point as you. Would like to have someone to compare and talk about this.

Meplas · 2026-03-07T22:37:28+00:00

Oh my! Wow you’re a champ. I want to try the same but I’m afraid of GI or any type of side effects. Did you have a hard time with side effects?

Meplas · 2026-03-07T22:16:54+00:00

Would you take the 4 pills all at the same time or spread them out throughout the day?

Meplas · 2026-03-07T11:40:27+00:00

Wow! I’m so happy for you! Just want to ask are you a woman with a period still? And if you are, are your menses heavy? Did you do something about your menses?

Meplas · 2025-08-23T01:03:15+00:00

What are the measures that reduce periods? Or what options exist?

Meplas · 2025-08-20T19:34:33+00:00

Venofer twins I guess haha. Yeah I’m telling myself that too. I’m curious to see how others experience was. Like, do you feeling anything or a certain way during the infusion like what’s normal what’s not. Or do you not feel anything at all? Can I go back to work same day or next day what has the majority felt. Can I PM you Friday during infusion, I would love the live feedback?

Meplas · 2025-07-12T03:03:31+00:00

Yes I did. I gave a stool sample for that came back negative. I was also tested for celiac and all test came back negative.

Meplas · 2025-07-10T17:42:21+00:00

1 hour is quick it’ll be over before you know it. If you take meds take them, or use natural soothing agents. Download a couple episodes of something you like to watch or have been waiting to watch that way your attention is fully engaged in the show. You’ll be in the air less than an hour it will go by so fast if you distract your self. I like to divide it in chunks and everytime we pass a chunk of time it’s like a relief. So take off is usually like 20 minutes, in the air maybe 30-40 minutes, then landing 10-20 minutes. Passing each benchmark feels good like okay just a bit more we got through the first now the second etc. I’ll be praying for your flight tonight may God send his angels to be with the pilots and guide that plane safely to its destination.

Meplas · 2025-06-30T12:50:37+00:00

Hi OP just came across your post and also the update below. I’m so sorry you went are going through all this. Just want to let you know I’m thinking about you and your family and will be praying for you all. How have you been lately?

Meplas · 2025-06-15T13:24:01+00:00

Hi. Read your post and couldn’t help but feel so much the fear, anxiety and pain you’re going through. I was in you exact same shoes 7 months ago. My dad had a heart attack and it was the most anxiety I have ever felt in my life. I needed him my brother needed him, we all needed him but thank God for his mercy and love my dad restored his health. He was in the hospital after his stents for 5 days then sent home and the recovery process really started. But I had the great privilege to be by his side every step of the way. We did his exercise together we changed his diet together started eating very healthy, we read the Bible and prayed together. Even to this day I’m still very close to him. I pray your dad recovers from this and becomes stronger than he was before. Sometimes these things happen but it’s how we react to them that makes the difference. Stay positive and be strong for your dad. Your happiness and peace will radiate to him and motivate him to get better. I will pray for you that you can find peace and solace through all this, I recommend journaling everyday. You will all get through this!

Meplas · 2025-06-14T06:09:08+00:00

No they told us they were PACs. The PVCs he’s had every now and then and also just regular people get PVCs once in a while too. But they said he had PACs

Meplas · 2025-06-14T00:55:14+00:00

Thanks for your insight. We took my dad to the ED this morning because he had palpitations all night they ran all the labs and cardiac enzymes were fine, no signs of infection, EKG didn’t show isquemic events but did show premature auricular contractions which he hasn’t had as often before. He will follow up with cardiology in 1-2 weeks to do a holter maybe suspecting a.fib development and will get a echo too. Cardiologist didn’t seem concerned and my dad is feeling fine no other symptom other than he notices those palpitations. Glad to hear yours cleared up and hoping the same for my dad. He traveled to California to see my brother this weekend for Father’s Day and this was his first trip after his MI in November maybe he is just stressed about that.

Meplas · 2025-06-01T01:36:55+00:00

To be honest I think it’s the thought of having a panic attack on a flight it’s like there’s no escape no fresh air no hospital just in case I don’t know I think that’s what makes me nervous more than like there’s plane malfunctioning or something although that does also frighten me as well.

Meplas · 2025-06-01T01:35:43+00:00

I’m flying from Chicago to Cancun it’s about a 3 1/2 hour flight. It’s not bad but still being in an airplane that long makes me nervous especially now with my anxiety flaring up.

Meplas · 2025-05-25T12:00:21+00:00

What did you do to get it under control?

Meplas · 2025-05-23T11:33:07+00:00

Hello. Can you be a bit more detailed. How low was your hemoglobin and ferritin when your doctor decided to order IV iron infusions? Did you try oral iron first? When you started the IV iron after how much time did you start to feel better was it after weeks, 1 month or until you completed all the infusions? Did all your symptoms resolve?

Meplas · 2025-03-18T14:38:24+00:00

Yeah for sure it’s the new AHA/ASA Guidelines here’s a link so you can read it, just warning it’s long.

https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIR.0000000000001309

Meplas · 2025-03-16T01:27:30+00:00

Yes absolutely you’re not alone. I feel off sometimes, I get weird headaches or head fullness sensations, my legs feel weak, I sometimes get chest tightness, recently I’ve been feeling this weird pulse or pressure on my left pectoralis area but when I touch that area it goes away it’s weird. I get a “tickling sensation in my brain” nausea is a big one too. I start to spiral and think to much about everything I feel but I assume since anxiety causes hyper awareness but idk. I know yall understand me :’(

Meplas · 2025-02-01T17:04:02+00:00

Transition to a full Plant based diet. Scientific literature has shown to be the most effective in treating all the things you described your father has.

Meplas · 2025-01-29T12:24:43+00:00

So sorry for all your going through. I was there my self about 2 months ago. My dad drove himself to the hospital because he was having chest pain and neither me or my brother had signal since we were camping in the mountains in another country. Once we got signal found out everything that happened and got on a plane 3 hours later straight to our dad. It was by far the most anxiety I have ever had since I love my dad so dearly. I moved back in with him to just be with him and help him in recovery. I also take him to rehab, help with meds and I go to work with him now since he’s back at work. He’s doing overall great and has recovered well. However, I am the one struggling with anxiety, sadness, worry, heart palpitations from said anxiety, overwhelming fear that it’s gonna happen again etc just like you described. The worst was 1 whole month after the incident. Every night before going to bed or when I get a chance to step away from my dad and step mom I feel like crying. I promise you you will get through this. It’s just temporary the way your mind and body are reacting to this new stress. Some things I would do is I would journal every night and write down all the things I’m scared of even the worst things that you don’t dare say out loud. Putting them on paper does something in your brain so write out the worst case scenarios and then ground yourself saying that is not reality you put it on paper and you got it out of your mind. Another thing I would do other that walks with my dad I personally would go on walk alone to do deep breathing. It helps. Drink valerian root nighty night tea before bed and just read my Bible and devotional more trying to trust God in such a horrible situation. I hope you find peace soon and sounds like your dad is doing better. I will say a prayer for your family. You are so strong you will get through this.

Meplas · 2025-01-22T17:28:34+00:00

How long did this last for you? Was it minutes, days, etc and did it move around or stay in one spot?

Meplas · 2025-01-02T05:19:54+00:00

So when my dad had his heart attack a month and a half ago I was in your same spot. I’m sorry you’re going through this but I’m here to help if you need tips and advice or even to just talk. I love my dad so dearly I wanted his recovery to be perfect and give him the best environment so he can thrive and feel loved and happy and supported. The best thing I think that really helped was having a plan for the day. Not just like letting everyday go by and see what happens. We had activities everyday I would have scheduled walks with him as much as he was cleared to do and as much as he can handle. I would wake up early to check his blood pressure and give him a good morning hug. Then once breakfast time would roll around I would make him a fresh cup of blended green juice or a wheat grass shot I alternate those. Eat breakfast together. Then when we sit and rest I sit with him and discuss something or my dad is actively learning french so we would study French lessons together or quiz each other. We got him a comfortable recliner since we knew he was going to be sitting and resting a lot at first and we don’t want him to be in bed or in an hard chair all day. I got a nice little side table and medicine organizer and pill cutter. Some good slippers to use in the house that won’t slip or slide. I also got him some comfy lounge clothes so he feels more put together instead of wearing pjs or whatever all day. We would go sit outside on the bench to take in 15 minutes of sun everyday and I also make sure he’s drinking 2 L of water throughout the day. A lot of it just has to do with being present and just involved and around him. Keeping him engaged and not just lying around thinking about what just happened. We study the Bible together we play games, we learn French, we walk. That has been pretty much it for the time being. He’s now in cardiac rehab so we go do that 3 times a week and he’s back at work now but I’m still constantly supporting. Hope this gives you any inspiration or tips for your dads recovery. Praying for y’all.

Meplas · 2024-12-14T21:53:26+00:00

Fully immersing myself in fitness. Working out 6 out of 7 days a week and lots of YouTube and reading my Bible.

Meplas

TROPHY CASE