Flying today after my stents

[DavidG1971]

What was I thinking?

Only people here will understand the panic I’m having today. Just over a month since I had 2 stents fitted in my LAD. Was 90% closed - took 2’procedures (when I had the Angiogram it was completely shut).

Have a work trip to US now that lasts 10 days.’ I didn’t want to miss it - something told me I needed to show people I was still around. Trying to prove something I probably didn’t need to.

It’s too soon. I’m not ready to sleep alone (my biggest fear) or be away from my home. Worried to the point of scared. I’ve definitely overreached. In taxi now. Any encouragement welcome.

[ntiday]

Hi David

9 months since my HA and 1 stent

I felt exactly the same on a work trip to London for just 3 nights but got through it

Am currently in Dubai on a 4 day work trip Each trip gets easier but doesn’t stop them being scary but you will be fine I’m sure.

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

You should be absolutely fine. I suspect the main issue will be tiredness. Business trips tend to be tiring and your body may not be 100% recovered from the procedure. To this end grab any opportunity to rest that you can. I would advise limiting both alcohol and coffee, and to eat as healthily as you can (may be difficult at times).

Have an enjoyable trip!

[DavidG1971 in reply to MichaelJH]

I think you’re right. Will attempt to sleep as often as I can. Food is going to be tough, no matter how disciplined I am.

[MichaelJH Heart Star in reply to DavidG1971]

Indeed! I used to do some contract work for an American organisation. One day two of us were at a meeting when they said "would you like us to get some lunch in "? Lunch was a massive pile of assorted donuts and jugs of coffee. Another time went to their restaurant where the healthiest option was chilli. Yep, hard to eat healthily US style!

[Calliope153]

You will be fine - your imagination is working over time and generating the fear. The first time i slept alone away from home i slept propped up on the pillows and it helped. don;t drink the weak coffee from the endless cups on offer although you will be tempted to go for the bottled water option, keep reasonable hours and however busy you are go to sleep at a reasonable time (despite jet lag) and put your feet up as much as possible.The breakfast buffet will be full of heart healthy options so that's one problem solved. Take your medicines allowing for the time differential. And enjoy as much as you can whether you are in the snow or sun. Everyone talks about their heart attack journey but I often feel it is a forced march so there is no option but to just do it. As a Brit just remember Keep calm and carry on. Best wishes.

[MissisF]

I seem to remember that after his ICD Pacemaker was fitted my husband was told flying would be ok after 4 weeks. Don’t forget to walk about and exercise your legs on the flight. I’m sure you’ve got adequate insurance just in case? And if so, the good thing is that the US medical care is good. If not then don’t go. Try not to stress. I’m sure you’ll be ok. Good Luck!

[DavidG1971 in reply to MissisF]

I’ve got solid insurance. Thanks.

[MissisF in reply to DavidG1971]

I’m sure you’re going to be absolutely fine. You’ll be with people, be busy and not much time for thinking about your heart. Try to enjoy the experience. Sleep with a pillow lengthways beside you. 😉

[Sususulio]

David - you’re safer than at any time in the recent past but it’s natural to feel a little bit apprehensive. Lots of good advice here, pace yourself, relax and try and enjoy doing what you do! You will be fine be informed but not afraid - take care

[DavidG1971 in reply to Sususulio]

I just read your story. Helped pass 10 mins in the airport and get my mind off work. Thanks for writing - genuinely does help to be able to tell people how fragile you are.

[Sususulio in reply to DavidG1971]

Yes it does - we busy ourselves resssuring everyone else we sometimes overwhelm ourselves 😕 Small steps and big steps you’ll get there!

[Chappychap]

You'll be fine, furthermore after this trip you'll have PROVED to yourself that you're fine!

Hope there are some good films on the flight!

[DavidG1971 in reply to Chappychap]

That’s a very good point.

[DavidG1971 in reply to Chappychap]

Well I made it - one hurdle crossed. Chest started playing tricks on me as we were taking off, but passed. Recommend ‘Juliet Naked’ - not quite what it sounds. Great little film.

[Ianc2]

Try and work in some gentle exercise - about a mile a day, 2 miles even better. You may find your hotel has a gym with a treadmill, or a rowing machine or a bike. If you get a bit bored try 20 minutes on each. I used to have to dine out a lot and I are a lot fish dishes (without chips), along with the odd vegetarian dish. Puddings had to go, along with ' don't worry it's on expenses' mindset, Get your waist where you want it to be, buy an expensive belt, fix the notch you want it on and keep it there. It's hard consistent work but your heart is a muscle and the old saying applies 'use it or lose it'.

[DavidG1971 in reply to Ianc2]

I’ll grab a couple of mikes walk every day - from hotel to work. Fish seems best option and I’ll def miss the deserts.

[Shockedwithstent in reply to Ianc2]

I have always watched what I eat. Have always been a gym adict and now I am fitted with a stent so I am begining to wonder if eating healthy is the solution. When I ask doctors how could this have happened? They simply dont know. As its all new I am seeing the gp and I will ask how i should proceed forward. I have no confidence right now

[Ianc2 in reply to Shockedwithstent]

Doctors tend to work on evidence based treatments which are applied after the condition has developed. e.g. Blocked arteries - fit a stent and take some pills. A holistic approach would ask what have you done, or failed to do, to cause this condition to slowly and surely develop. over a period of years.

A nutritionist would look at what you eat and, most importantly, what you don't eat, especially if you eat out a lot. The western diet (Burgers and chips anyone?) is widely recognised as being a killer. There are plenty of research reports available to back up this approach. I tend to eat a lot more vegetarian food these days, but it is all about balance and resisting the lures and the lies peddled by the food industry.

A lifestyle coach will look at your activity levels and your weight and try and defeat the sedentary lifestyle that is common in our lives. A fitness tracker can be a wake up call to get a bit more active and to move more. Use it or lose it before it is too late.

There is quite a lot of information on this site and the heart foundation site for you to dig through, so good hunting

[Shockedwithstent in reply to Ianc2]

Thank you for sharing your thoughts. However, I am someone who is very active go to the gym min of 4 days per week, eat organic & healthy. No fried food ! But I would love to speak to a dietician -

[Shockedwithstent]

Hello, I had my stent fitted almost 2 weeks ago and my doctor did say that it is best to travel and lead a normal life. So I hope he is right coz I will be travelling in Oct. Wish you best of luck and let me know how it goes-

[DavidG1971 in reply to Shockedwithstent]

So far so good. Flight was fine and it’s good to be used to being on my own again - I’d gone a bit too needy. Only nightmare is food. Surrounded by things I shouldn’t eat.

[jobe1968 in reply to Shockedwithstent]

I was stented last June. Returned to work overseas in August. Nervous first flight but gradually getting back to normal.

However I leave booze out of my life these days so the business lounge no longer such a perk.

I do get up and walk on flights more than I used to. But that’s about it. Main thing for me was the worry of a problem mid flight. So just in case I always have aspirin and the sun lingual spray on hand. Never used it but worry if it’s not available.

[DavidG1971]

Being busy has been a great therapy. Almost forgotten who I used to be in all my self pity. Turns out I probably needed that time away to re calibrate myself. Worked hard all week, ate a few wrong things. Today I’m playing golf and will enjoy every shot. I’ll work on the long term stuff when I start rehab next week. My biggest gripe now is being too damn skinny - time to build back up. Not a worry I thought I’d be focussing on a couple of weeks ago.

[Ianc2]

Too damn skinny? Out of curiousity., how is your BMI waist/height ratio?

[DavidG1971 in reply to Ianc2]

No idea - but I’m 5,7 and hanging in at 10 stone 4. Used to be a challenge to stay under 11’ stone. Im not sure if I lost it through stress or the change in diet. Probably both.

[DavidG1971 in reply to DavidG1971]

Looks like that makes me 22.55. According to BMI thats normal. Which is ridiculous.

[Ianc2]

Spot on where you should be. If your waist about half your height your heart will not have to work so hard, you arteries will probably thank you and your knees will be delighted. The lack of the pile driver effect will mean that your golf life will be extended.

If you look at it another way your top limit is around 158. The difference is about 14 lbs, about 7 bags of sugar. Get a back pack, shove 7 bags of sugar in and go for a walk, preferably uphill. If you don't fancy carrying sugar try packing in lard instead?

[DavidG1971 in reply to Ianc2]

I feel a lot stronger around 150/154 but point taken. Thanks.