Following the posts on this forum has really helped me so I thought maybe my own experience might be of interest or help others. I totally accept we are all different, have different experiences, health journeys and situations. This is part of my journey and apologies in advance for the long story!
Four year ago, aged 60, I had 2 stents to the LAD to treat the angina I'd been experiencing. For some reason I decided that I'd been 'fixed', post op MRI was clear and I didn't need or have time to follow all that stuff they told me about rehab and a long term healthy lifestyle. They told me not to drive for seven days, I didn't drive, but hopped on trains after a couple of days to get to business meetings. Told myself that as a self employed person I didn't have the time to be 'ill'. Logically I think I knew I'd had a warning to take better care of myself but emotionally just didn't take it on board.
Four more years of jumping on planes to various parts of the world, staying in lots of nice hotels, 'enjoying' the success of having written a business book, the buzz of being on stage speaking to audiences in seminars and conferences and with a directorship of a couple of UK companies, some would have said I was living the dream.
I wasn't a complete slob, was eating relatively healthily, in the gym once a week and did lots of walking with my wife. Followed my medication routine to the word but was quite a lot over weight. I knew what I doing was stressful but hey, thats part of the deal isn't it?
Started to get symptoms of infrequent short term breathlessness about 18 months ago. Sometimes for no apparent reason I would have to stop walking for a couple of minutes until the event passed. Did I go the GP as soon as it started? - of course not, there was no pain and I'd already been fixed.
After a particularly worrying breathlessness event last October that resulted in having to lean against the local butchers window to recover, I went to the GP. Referral to Cardiac Consultant followed (four months wait) and instructed to dial 999 should I have any chest pain.
Ten days later blue lighted to A&E with chest pains. Blood pressure off the scale but fortunately I hadn't actually had a HA.
Got to see my original consultant during my four days on cardiac ward. He was pretty sure that the symptoms I was getting were either blood pressure related or to do with my medication. Very unlikely that there was any further heart disease after just four years. Cardiac CT scan was arranged as a precaution and I was sent home with strong suggestion to lose some weight and with some new meds for the blood pressure.
Had the CT scan a week later with an appointment to see consultant a couple of weeks after that. Two days after the scan I received a call to get back to see my consultant the next day. Turned out I had a severe stenosis in the RCA (which was clear just 4 years ago), a really big and nasty surprise to the consultant and to me. On November 20th, back to the path lab for another stent, the artery was over 90% blocked.
A talk with my consultant about what next, an honest look at my lifestyle with my wife and it was obvious a major review was needed if I was to reduce the chances of an even more serious cardiac event in the future. Nobody actually said I was a fool for not taking the opportunity to change things four years ago, but I certainly felt like one - and I have to admit, really worried this time.
I signed up for the cardiac rehab programme which didn't have any places until the week before Christmas. I cancelled all work commitments and decided my job now was looking after my heart, me and my health. Got into a routine of exercise from day one. Walking for 15 minutes to start and soon working up to an hour every day. First rehab class just before Christmas. Continued with the rehab programme at the gym over Christmas break and walked every day (even out doing 12,000 steps on Christmas day). Started to follow the healthy eating guidelines and gave up alcohol.
I finish stage three of the rehab programme this week. With exercise under supervision I've learned to take things gradually and pace myself. The educational sessions about looking after your heart and health have been really helpful. I keep the rehab books and handouts in clear view at home to remind me I'm not 'fixed' - I have heart disease and its down to me to keep that in mind without it becoming overwhelming. The life long medication will play its part hopefully, the rest I know is down to me.
After the discomfort of the first couple of weeks post procedure, I've had no more symptoms. I'm now 20lbs lighter, running 3-4k on the treadmill and in the gym five times a week. Blood pressure is under control and cholesterol showing signs of improvement. I've cut back business commitments to a day a week after my daughter reminded me that money isn't much use if you're not around to enjoy it.
I'm already feeling so much better, am very positive about the future, feel in control and have more energy than I've had for years. OK, I get the cold feet at night as a side effect of meds but the wooly bed socks give me and my wife a laugh! Many people on the rehab programme have had experiences much worse than me but all report that they have benefitted from doing what we should all have been doing before our heart 'events'.
Stage four of rehab starts next week and have first Slimming World meeting on Wednesday. Determined to get to a healthy weight and next fitness goal is a 5k park run by April.
My wife and I have decided that the future has to be about new adventures and experiences. Once it seemed that it was my work that provided the adventure. I did enjoy it but the lifestyle could have had very serious consequences for me and my family. Golf lessons start in April and I went up in a glider last weekend. We've bought a campervan for weekend breaks and holidays (how far is that away from all those nights in 'posh' hotels!).
I'm lucky, I've been given two warnings. I didn't do anything about it the first time but this time I'm taking personal responsibility. With the help and support of my family, friends and the many great people in the NHS, I'm planning to be around to enjoy life for as long as possible.
A business colleague shared this Snoopy image with me last week - it's my new life motto!
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