@DDMH I haven’t had to deal with any heart issues but do have othervissues that gave been picked up. Uts easy to say but you need to try & relax a bit so you don’t get so anxious you make yourself even more poorly. So I don’t worry too much about mine I try & keep myself occupied with other stuff. It doesn’t stop thoughts creeping in but it does reduce the amount of time I’m worrying. I tell myself that worrying isn’t going to change the situation so there’s no point worrying. One of my friends who suffers with anxiety a lot saw a counsellor who advised her to keep a worry journal. She had to write her worries in it then allow herself 30 minutes each day to worry about them. Then shut the journal & forget the till tomorrow. She also categorised them into one’s She could do something about & those she couldn’t & that helped her focus her energy on something she could change. It seemed to work well for her…not sure if it would for you but you never know. The other thing you could try is to focus on what things you’ll be able to do once your op is done. Just a few ramblings from me.
@DDMH that has just made me chuckle as you have reminded me of a time when I managed a lady who used to unintentionally get herself into a bit of bother from time to time. She"d often ring me to ask my advice & I apparently used to say to her “Do you think that’s wise?” She knew she had to rethink then. She bought me a coaster with the saying on 
DDMH-After my stroke, the doctors found that I had afib, and that was what caused the stroke. So I was put on medication to slow my heart. This stopped the afib, which was good, however, it made my heart beat too slow, so I needed a pacemaker put in to keep my heart up to normal levels. Needless to say, I was in a panic and full of anxiety during this time. So, I understand somewhat how you must feel. I just kept talking to myself with positive ideas. I realized that the doctors were very good and skilled, and being a “believer” I believed that God worked through the hands and minds of the doctors, so I put myself in their hands and God’s hands, trusting that it would all work out for the best. I still had anxiety attacks. I tackled that in two ways. I began to see a counselor to talk about my anxiety, and she gave me some coping ideas. I also found that CBD oil drops under my tongue at night relaxed me so that I could sleep. When I felt better after a few months, I could handle about 1/2 to 1 glass at wine before dinner, and that relaxed me. You do your best to take care of what needs to be taken care of, and then try to fill your mind with other things, do something for someone else like a cheer-up care, keep busy with puzzles or knitting, etc. Remember, you are not alone. I’ll remember you in my prayers tonight. 
Jeanne
I have my stroke follow up with the hospital consultant on 8 Aug it’s a telephone appointment. Yesterday I was called to book in for an MRI next week pre the appointment.
Is this usual?
So it’s not unusual to have an MRI after a stroke? I only had CT scans when I was in hospital.
MRI is very normal after a stroke. It picks up a greater level of detail than a CT scan. If you’ve only had a CT so far then this is very normal.
I have only had a CT scan. It took 6 months of debate between my Specialist (stroke) Doctor, Cardiologist and Radiologist. The debate was about wether or not it was safe to have an MRI scan with the pacemaker I have fitted. In the end they agreed to go with a CT scan
The CT scan did show enough detail to diagnose multiple TIAs and small strokes. That was some relief for me because I then knew what I was dealing with.
The first, locum, doctor who saw me ordered an MRI as follow up to my CT. It took ages to organise as it was in a different hospital (they don’t have an MRI machine where I was admitted) and when I did have it it only confirmed what they’d seen on the CT anyway. I had several heart tests too but they were all normal and I trotted off to the Stroke Nurse follow up appointment fully expecting to be dischaged, and have been referred for several other tests- I’m a bit concerned that they might show something up and that if they do I should perhaps have had them earlier (it’s now 10 months since my stroke) but will go with the flow and have the tests done.
yes, one of the tests is a 72 hour heart monitor. Seems a bit odd to be doing them now but good that they’re ruling things out I suppose. The GP thinks my Stroke was caused by a clot being released by driving, the Stroke Nurse says she doesn’t know what caused it and that many people never find out why! Oh well, as you say the tests should rule out things and if they do show up anything then its best to know
So freaked out about this MRI I’m not sure I can go. I just read it can take 2hrs. So anxious.
Thank you so much I’m going to try 
4pm today at a hospital I’ve never been to before!
When I had mine the whole proceedure, including being checked in, going over details, getting dressed and undressed etc may have taken about 2 hours, but there was no way that I was in the machine any longer than 30 minutes. It was fine and as Loshy says, the nurses are very nce and used to people maybe finding it difficult. As I said above I’m not sure that it REALLY showed up anything that wasn’t on the CT scan but it helped to confirm what they’d seen there.
@DDMH try not to panic. As others have said you’ll only be in the scanner for 20 -30 mins. The first one I had I shut my eyes right through & they gave me some music to listen to. The trick is to stay as still as possible so they don’t have to retake any images. I literally lay with my eyes shut taking deep breaths. Felt like I was out in no time at all. The worst bit for me was the noise…but then my hearing has been extra sensitive since my stroke.
They give you a button to press if you need assistance.
Deep breaths. Try & relax & it’ll be over before you know it xx
Hi all
I did it! Thank you so much for your help and encouragement.
I’m sorry I’m such a baby but 30 years of health anxiety and avoidance has come home to roost and I’m finding it all a bit overwhelming.
Everyone here has helped so much 
@DDMH yay massive well done to you. Hopefully it wasn’t as bad as you imagined. Sounds like you need to treat yourself now for getting through unscathed. 
And if what is a treat for you is a day in bed tommorow then enjoy that
I had a mild stroke in November and already had a heart murmur and was given an echo cardio gram each year. At the end of November, an echocardiogram showed that my aortic valve had a very bad stenosis and I have just had open heart surgery and my aortic valve replacement with a a bovine one! I am 4 weeks after my op. As my ribs had to be split, I have a cut about 9inches long between my boobs, it’s going to be a long recovery as ribs take at least 2 months to heal! I am getting very depressed about the situation but trying to keep my spirits up, trying to exercise though been told I am expecting too much, too soon!