Heart problems and GCSE's

My dad has recently been diagnosed with heart problems that we know know as angina. I am in the middle of my GCSE's at the moment and this has now panicked me because it leads him to have a higher chance that he will have a heart attack. I have started to cry myself to sleep most nights due to myself being scared that one day I will wake up or come home and him not being there. Me and my family was meant to be going on a big holiday the day after my last exam which was one of the only things keeping me going through the exams but now the holiday is most likely to be cancelled which has formed more stress around me and the family and was really upsetting for me. I know this isn't really a question but I just needed a place to put my thoughts.
​Ella

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Hello Ella,

This sounds like you are having a very hard time at the moment. GCSES can be extremely hard without an illness in the family, especially having it be your parents, as you must rely on them a lot. I have had a little look on NHS choices, and whilst I am not medically trained at all, I did find it quite interesting so it would be good if you could have a look on there. I can see there are many treatments for his heart problem, and even though you have every right to be very worried about your dad, the doctors wouldn't have him at home if he wasn't stable and safe enough for him to be looked after there. If you could maybe have a chat with him about what would happen if he was having an attack and put a plan together for what you could do if he was in pain, then perhaps the worry will lift slightly? I'm not promising it will make a massive difference to your anxiety, and perhaps you could speak to your dad to make sure he has his phone with him at all times so if the event happens, he could contact someone straight away, or someone around him could. 
I'm not promising that any of this will definitely help, but the best thing to do with your worry is to speak to either your dad, or if you're worried it will make him feel guilty, perhaps you could speak to somebody else, wether it's someone in your family or a trusted individual like a teacher or support staff. I hope your GCSES have gone well, and I hope you can speak to somebody about your worries, and hopefully when your dad is feeling a little better, you could book another holiday! and don't forget we are always here for you at TWE, through our social media accounts or even fill in this form again and someone from the team can get back to you. - Kira xx

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