Hi all. Today whilst out and about I gave in to a craving and ate a rather large bar of chocolate. I have done so well eating healthily since HA in July. All day since I have been in anxiety mode thinking it will cause another HA. I feel hot and cold with fear.
Can anyone reassure me.
Reassure you about what? That because you succumbed to your addiction, you might die?? BTW - my addiction is red wine!! 
No - you aren't going to die because you ate a chocolate bar. But you may indeed die earlier than you need to if you allow that addiction to rear its ugly head too much in the future.
You have to enjoy life, just keep it under control. Guilt never helped anyone. Relax, be happy and indulge in some chocolate occasionally.
Hello take some nice deep breaths whilst reading reading this as deep breathing will calm you. Was this your first bar of chocolate? if so you did well to keep off it since july. I was given a lovely choux chocolate eclair to eat on the cardiac ward a day after my HA. Told to eat it to get my strength back. I nearly had another HA just hearing that news..... so its ok, its not as though you're eating a large bar of chocolate everyday. You maybe experiencing delayed shock this can happen and it only takes a simple thing to trigger it. Its ok, its normal, though completly overwhelming when it happens . Also theres the caffeine hit your body is dealing with znd this can contribute to how you are feeling. Im caffiene sensitive, so as soon as i have caffiene i can feel sick, shakey. I just have caffiene in moderation. Having any heart event is scary and people handle it differently. Well done for keeping to a good healthy diet , but remember you can treat yourself. To prevent guilt maybe opt for the healthy dark chocolate at least 80% cocoa in smaller doses next time. Dont beat yourself, its easy to fall into that trap. Its still early days for you and there will be a few emotional bumps along the way. Everyone has them. You will eventually learn to roll with them. My HA was 2 half years ago, i eat healthily and exercise, but if i ever feel like indulging in a treat i do, without any guilt at all because at the time i think i deserve it. Lifes going to be pretty boring if you cant treat yourself. You will slowly become more confident and what your experiencing now will be a thing of the past. So run a bath, relax and have a good night sleep without guilt . Take care
Thank you so much Loving-life, such a lovely reassuring post xx
This was very naughty indeed! Do 200 lines "I must not eat chocolate".
Joking apart the occasional piece of chocolate will do no harm. I hope it was dark chocolate as this is actually a good source of antioxidants (like red wine) and raises good cholesterol, both good for your heart. Just limit your intake.
Thank you. It was milk chocolate but will look for dark if I ever eat chocolate again!!
my cadio rehab nurse told me to eat something nuaghty every so often as life would not be worth livibg. SHe recommended going out for dinner with e other half and eating wheat I want once a month as it helps your well being and recovery. So PLEASE dont beat yourself up over 1 bar of chocolate, just dont do it every day. Make sure you walk a bit extra today, if you can
My answer is to plan it. A treat can help to keep you on track if it is planned. It can stop you from feeling deprived and give enjoyment. If not planned then it can lead to guilt. It is more likely to be overdone or become a binge if not planned since guilt can lead to uncontrollable swings of emotions. Plan it and take your time to savour every moment, then get back on track until the next treat. Give yourself something to look forward to, and to work to deserve. You will feel better about yourself.
A whole chocolate bar will not cause a heart attack. I hope you enjoyed the chocolate and it satisfied your craving.
As long as you enjoyed it. 😋One choccie bar once In a while isn’t going to do you any harm.
Oh, I do feel for you Harekatie. All those emotions swirling around. I know it's such a struggle sometimes when you have the cravings. You give in and then you regret it. I've been there loads of times! I like Gordon99's reply. If you plan your treats you will feel more in control and the guilt won't be so bad. It's not what we do occasionally that's the problem but what we do routinely everyday.
Hi HareKatie please don't stress we are all allowed a litte treat now and then
I eat a bit of chocolate now and then too ... deep breathes hun it's all good
Hi Katie
You shouldn't beat your self up about the odd bar of chocolate. When you stop eating these things for a while your taste buds change and you don't want them any more.
I'm sure there are worst things that you can eat, and your general health is more important.
I also drink wine which I think is good for me socially.
Take care
C
I've stopped smoking since my HA in June, and I haven't been a drinker for nearly 4 years. I'm not giving up chocolate as well!! The Eat Well Plate recommended by my HF nurse allows for some naughty stuff, just don't make that bar of chocolate your daily evening meal.
Now, where did I put those Bourbons...
So funny alison, you've brightened my day. There was many things i could give up and not even give it a thought, but when the dr said chocolate, it was a whoa back up there mister moment!!! This was after being disgnosed with a hiatus hernia on my esophagus. Even the nurses gasped and felt my pain. 😂Telling a woman to go easy on chocolate, not until he could go through pmt once , then come back with that suggestion... ha ha. But unfortunately chocolate proved to be my trigger for setting it off, was a HA not enough to suffer. I am in mourning for the loss of chocolate, but i am not without hope, as i went to the good food show last year and bought a bar of dark chocolate off a chap there and no side effects. Heaven. I am on countdown to 30 nov when im going again, i will hunt this company down and make them my best friend 😄😄😄. Thank you for making me laugh. Take care.
You need to get rid of the guilt,so draw a line under it and move forward,and its true that a little of what you fancy is ok,just keep it in moderation and everything will be fine.
After reading all of those lovely replies, I hope your guilt has gone! Don't beat yourself up over a bar of chocolate. A little of what you fancy does you good as my old mum used to say and I think there's a lot of truth in that. Keep smiling xxxx
Ah thanks everyone. It’s so hard when you feel guilty. I sometimes wish I had a window to my heart so I could see what was going on!!!
In the old days it was 'A Mars a day helps you work rest and play'! That's probably what got many folk reading these posts, sadly.
Hi, don't be so hard on yourself. You are only human. I'm 7 months post bypass and someone bought me a large box of maltesers for my birthday, I scoffed the lot! As long as its not an everyday occurrence then you will be fine. A little bit of what you fancy keeps you sane!
A little bit of what you fancy will not do you any harm. As long as it’s a little or occasionally! If I want to have an occasional drink in the evening then I do. Same applies to the odd cake or pudding. I’ve put on a bit of weight in the last year but I have to say I look an a great deal healthier. Everyone tells me (now!) that I was looking grey-faced and gaunt!!
Now if fresh veg and fruit never enter your mouth then yes look at your diet, but otherwise a little off plan every so often is fine!
Try not to worry too much which I know is difficult.
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