Newbie

[Longboarder]

Hi I’m Ross. I’m 53 years old and have always led a pretty active life style surfing, walking, swimming and lots of stuff around the house. Last Friday my world was turned upside down when I had a heart attack. I had 5 stents fitted last Wednesday and have returned home with a whole bundle of tablets which I need to take for the rest of my life. I now need to start on the journey to get back to where I was before. Any help, advice and encouragement greatly appreciated. 😄

[Calliope153]

My out of the blue heart attack happened last December... first off, take it steady. I was so determined not to be a drag that I overdid the "I'm all right" response to everything when I patently wasn;t. Do the cardiac rehab and don;t push yourself too hard to start with. Pay attention in the talks on diet and medicines. My first walk was 200 metres and I felt sick and ill. I can now do a couple of miles - it just takes time to build up. I don;t do more because i am lazy. Alter your diet to knock down the amount of saturated fat. Lay off the cheese Only use skimmed milk..... you get used to the sack of drugs and there will be a bit of tweaking to get it right. We are all different and the pills affect everyone differently. It feels lonely at the moment but truly you will get into your stride and back to a normal for you life. Make certain you try to book the same GP when you need an appointment - saves having to waste most of your appt time going through what's happened. It;s taken a while but I now feel like my old self - and if you have a partner be aware they are uncertain about the way things are going too - since my carnivore husband has joined me on a reduced red meat diet and walked me every day he;s lost more weight than I have..... it will get better but the big thing is accepting what;s happened, don;t dwell on the past and make the here and now as good as it can be. Best wishes - you will get a lot of support on this forum and very sensible advice.

[IanMK]

Hi Ross

Like many of us, you’ve discovered that heart problems can strike anybody. It’s quite normal to go through a ‘Why me?’ phase. Hopefully you have dealt with that and will have accepted that, sometimes, life isn’t fair. There’s no reason why you shouldn’t keep an active lifestyle - you just need to be sensible and look after your body as well as you can. Be aware of what your body is telling you and it’s limitations. It may be a good idea to limit activities that give you an Adrenalin rush.

Regarding your medications, educate yourself about each one and understand why your medical practitioner has prescribed them. We are all different and it may take some time for your body to adapt to the drugs. If there are any that give bothersome side effects then an alternative is usually available.

I hope this helps. Good luck.

[pinnelli]

Hi Ross

Similar to the other responses really. Give yourself time, be selfish & rest, if you can time off work etc.

We all went through different phases, I certainly had PTSD as I went into cardiac arrest out cycling, had 25mins CPR & was in middle of no where. Was airlifted to hospital. A total shock at 46, never smoked, ate healthy and cycled 200 miles per week!

Go to rehab, talk to people it really helps. I also had anxiety support and did mindfulness.

If you can see a cardiologist privately and get some proper 121 advice. My meds have been reduce as a result & I no longer take a blood pressure one.

You’ll go though a journey that never really ends but eases.

Take care

Chris

[normal2]

hello,welcome to the club.you sound very positive just take it a day at a time.

i just wake up in the morning and try to be happy.

i try to do an hour of cardio almost every day.

some days i have to kick myself,so i bought a fitbit and i like my weekly reports on the fridge.

the pills are a learning experience.

i try not to get my info on Dr. google

i am taking plavix because i just added 2 new stents and i noticed i can get really annoyed over simple reasons so i much watch out for spikes of anger.

be well mate.

bruce

[Grayjay]

There's no reason why you can't recover most of your fitness if you take it easy for now and gradually build up. Healthy diet etc. Join your local rehab group.

Good luck.

[Hidden]

Hopefully you will soon be offered Cardio Rehab - The exercises will give you the confidence to push yourself and the food/meds guidance are invaluable. Another big plus is to be with others in a similar position where you will be reassured (and have a laugh) that some of the thoughts going through your head are a normal part of the process of recovery. Best of luck to you

[Stu888]

Like you I was swimming 2miles every other day, never smoked then had a MI in my mid forties and now on loads of tablets so don’t feel you’re alone. My approach has been to lose weight and reduce stress were possible. I have cut out crisps and reduced carbs and now eat mainly salads/veggies and fish in evenings and porridge in morning. I also use EV olive oil on the salad and veggies as this is meant to reduce inflammation in the arteries.

[Sususulio]

Ross

It’s early days but your previous level of fitness will help you recover well. It is the most confusing, sad, demanding, frustrating time and your dealing with some really complex emotions. As the others have said allow yourself time, expect to thrown out of balance with the meds. I don’t think there’s any single thing that helps but it does all start to take shape. Don’t be frightened - easier said than done, but in looking for good news and positive outcomes you chance upon experiences that aren’t so good. It is the nature of forums that they attracts us as we search for answers - less so 5 years on when things have resolved. You will find the positive stories, maybe at rehab, def through talking to the nurses. I am going to see a psychotherapist and hope it helps, it will be available to you too. It’s to be worked through I echo everything that’s been said, be kind to yourself and allow yourself to heal physically and mentally.