New here...

[juwalt]

Hi All,

I was diagnosed last summer with 'mild' heart failure... and I have started to lose weight and reduce the wine consumption! I have continued to drink wine and the weight loss had slowed down. I went to see a different GP about a different condition but mentioned that i was feeling breathless in the morning who then took me in hand and said that if things didn't change then I am going to die young (I am 50).n I a 14 yr old son and a husband that I don't want to leave so it was a major wake up call, I am continuing to lose weight, but had due to the dr putting me on Ramipril (seems to have helped), had to have bood tests which included an ECG that has also highlighted that i have atrial fibrullation. I realise I have changes to make and wondered if anyone can provide advice on exercise and diet changes they have made. I have to say we don't eat loads of processed food, nor add lots of salt to our food. Any comments would be greatly appreciated, as I don't want to 'die young' if at all possible. TIA Julie

[Alessa69]

Having struggled with an over exerted heart and ended up with AF, total sympathy. I eat lots of fresh fish and loads of veg. Also trying to reduce wine consumption. Stay well hydrated also. Lots of great advice regarding diet/ nutrition in BHF Magazine( free subscription) I find the Blood Sugar diet recipes are very helpful too. Good Luck with making those changes. Try not to let stress overwhelm you x

[Routemaster in reply to Alessa69]

I agree with you about the healthy diet but would just add a word of caution about keeping ‘well hydrated’. With heart failure you often have to restrict your fluid intake so it is worth checking that with the cardiac nurse first.

Good luck for the future Julie. I feel so much better than when I was first diagnosed with heart failure do I hope that you will too.

Ann

[isobelhannah18]

I eat a Mediterranean diet and because I an now a healthy weight I fast (600 calories ) once a week to maintain it. I don't have anything in the house that I don't want to eat and before my H.A. I drank 2 days a week but limited it to 9 units. I realised a few years ago that diets don't work and I have slowly but surely got to prefer the healthy foods to the junk. I've never really enjoyed exercise so years ago I got into the routine of doing it first thing in the morning and having my stuff ready the night before so I've no excuse not to do it! Good luck.

[Zena166]

Hi Julie. I had a heart attack 18 months ago and have lost 35 kgs I managed to lose 32 over 40 weeks and the remaining few took a bit longer! I follow a strict vegan diet. I follow the Cauldwell Esselstyn diet (cardiologist who worked with Bill Clinton). I was following a vegan diet before HA then became stricter. I have to take Vit B12 supplements prescribed by my doctor. Exercise I gradually built up and I try and do 30 minutes walking per day as well as go to circuits at least twice per week and Pilates once a week just to change my routine. The weight has stayed off for over a Year although over the winter I’ve put on a couple of pounds with not going out so much in the cold. I don’t view it as a diet it’s now what I eat normally. So vegetables fruit and my favourite of raw oats and soy yogurt! Check out your local gym. Here in the North East we have a health and wellbeing service which supports you with exercise and healthy eating advice you may have something similar near to you. Good luck and hope it all goes well. Best wishes. Zena