Now I know im not alone

[JayGunning]

Hi all,this is my first time on here.Last year I sufferd from a heart attack whilst I was at work,this has now left me with angina heart disease and ptsd,I didnt relise just how big an impact it would have on my life,I had spent 2 and a half months without leaving the house,the cardio rehab team have been amazing with the support and ongoing Help.

[NathanBlau]

I can’t soeak highly enough of the cardiac rehab process - the monitored exercise program gives you more and more confidence as time goes by. It’s worked wonders for me as I have now returned to scuba diving and am doing the London - Brighton cycle ride for the BHF in a couple of weeks.

Sincerely hope you are on an steady upward path

[blueshark in reply to NathanBlau]

Hi Nathan, can I ask what your problem was?

I’m also a diver and recently had 2 stents fitted; what are the implications for diving, if any and what kind of exercise testing were you subject to in order to be deemed ‘fit to dive’? I’m making the assumption that you have undergone a similar procedure to me; if that’s not the case, I’d still be interested to hear what kind of rehab program / support you received?

Regards

[NathanBlau in reply to blueshark]

Hi - I had 3 stents in one artery immediately after a heart attack aged 64 in Nov 2016. I initially gave up all hope of diving but realised through the cardiac rehab process that I was actually feeling fitter than I had done for quite some time and started to research it. Clearly a return is subject to getting 'signed off' by a doctor to state that you are fit enough. There are a number of specialist doctors and in London there's also a clinic that specialises in dive medicine for recreational and professional divers. I can answer specific questions if you want to pm me but the basis of the check is an assessment of your cardio health and a 'stress test' using the Bruce system. Basically you are connected to an ECG, put on a treadmill and walk, jog, run until you can do no more! Alternatively they pull you out if any abnormal ecg reading.

Also note that BSAC associated doctors will not consider you for at least a year post heart attack and do not take consideration of where you dive e.g. deep UK diving much more challenging than shallowish warm water etc. I was fortunate that my own doctor was sufficiently knowledgeable to also consider the type of diving I was doing and did not apply this BSAC 'rule'. Basically I satisfied the medical community but have a depth limit rigorously regulated by my wife!

[NessaArthur]

Hi Jay, I have had 3 heart attacks, the last being 4 years ago and have had heart failure since the first in 2012, but I have always been positive and have kept up my fitness as best I can. I walk, swim and have land that I manage with my husband as well as my work. I have just (4 weeks ago) had an ICD implant and I am amazed how well I feel, I didn’t realise how much I was struggling with everyday things before even though I still did them. My goal now is to start cycling again. I think how we feel is all in the mind and trying to stay positive and optimistic is more than half the battle! I hope you soon feel a lot better and I agree that the cardiac rehabilitation is the start of your future - they will make you feel you can do everything you used to and not worry about the effect so much. I hope you find this post useful, you are not alone with sometimes feeling down and worrying about the future. Just keep going forward and try not to dwell on the past too much, that can’t be changed. Good luck.

[NathanBlau in reply to NessaArthur]

Thank you - your story is real inspiration and endorses the benefits of a positive outlook. Shame you can't bottle it and sell it on!