There are many truly wonderful supportive people here, with lots of practical experience to help the worried, the fearful, and the depressed. I have been in all three categories at various stages of my own journey - the latter one requiring medication, H.A. can hit the mind harder than the body, at least in my case.
I also notice many people having difficulty keeping weight under control, struggling with the motivation to make the first move into regular exercise - and we all know that activity is the enemy of depression, right?
Post heart attack, simple walking is one of the very best forms of exercise for those who are able - but for many, it is something that is too easy to keep putting off 'til tomorrow.
We sometimes need extra motivation...
My humble suggestion for those still reading - is photography. Do read on.
Photography is an excellent reason to get your boots on and get out walking around. You don't need expensive cameras - a phone is just fine. If you don't own a phone - then a cheap digital point-n-shoot camera can be found on the Devils website (Ebay).
Download some free photo editing software, and work with the images you shoot - and have fun. You won't notice the miles you walk. You will notice the shrinking waistline, the raised energy levels, the deep sleep at night, and the huge spiritual lift we get from creating something. Document your local area maybe, make a cohesive project of it. Meet strangers. Get the fire of life back in your belly.
WARNING- photography can be addictive...
If you choose to give this a try - I will be happy to advise, assist in any way I can. (I'm a working photographer, and my camera got me out the house, out of the darkness in my mind, and back to a fully functioning human again).
Perhaps you all would like to share below what got you out of the post heart attack rut - if it helps even just one person then it's worthwhile.
I think you sum up beautifully the effects of Heart Attack on the mind and spirit which I totally believe are underestimated by both health professionals and patients. I guess the priorities are for life saving interventions quite rightly so it’s only afterwards that the shock fear despair disbelief etc hits us. I felt that I had a ‘fractured soul’ and wrote poetry to that effect to help my recovery so I very much appreciate the sentiment of photography as a means to healing both from an exercise perspective but also from a reflective and arts perspective. As you say it’s a good motivation for people who struggle to find the motivation to get out and about. Best wishes Zena
Thank you Zena for your reply - and yes, the emotional devastation can be extreme for some - not all maybe, but it totally demolished me for some months. Art is in everyone, sometimes buried way deep but it's there. Emotional exercise is also a big part of the battle I believe.
I too use my garden as both exercise and for mental healing. I am a semi professional artist but sadly since the HA, I've completely lost all inspiration.
Inspiration will return, trust me please. I had to take a year away from creativity (as a part time working session musician) as there was nothing there. I was also fighting crippling depression because of the HA. It passed. Everything passes - good and bad - everything passes.
I know it will at some point. I'd already lost 2 years after the death of my dog of a lifetime and was just trying to get back to things when the HA hit. At the start, art could have helped me but I suffered a horrific 8 months of unbearable side effects from the tablets; one after another. I've been so breathless for months I couldn't function at all; couldn't even walk into another room. It was only when the GP stopped clopidogrel because of stomach issues that the breathlessness vanished totally after 2 weeks that I actually started to feel normal- until a trip to A&E yesterday with massive fluttering. IT just seems to be one thing after another so that's knocked me back again. It was, hopefully, only anxiety and spine pain.
Was too busy to recover in the first 3 weeks after ny heart attack. But after 2nd stent procedure, had problems in my left leg. Cut story short, stopped me from walking without pain in my calf. After that started feeling depressed as couldn't build up my much needed fitness. Its hard but will fight this. Having MRI Scan tomorrow to see how bad tge Vascular disease is my legs. Like photography! Good suggestion from you here to get more out and about and conquer low mood plus exercise.
Thank you for your reply and for sure not everyone is able to get out for walks for various reasons, sadly. It can sometimes be possible to maybe even take a walk around the house, apartment, garden - make pictures of things you see every day but from a different perspective... it is so good for the mood.
With the camera ability of the average mobile phone, photography is a missed opportunity, now you(planteater) have brought the "flash" highlights see what I done there..... One Way to take control of emotional changes. Its been 66 days since I last hugged, kissed, spoke with, inhaled the scent of my Dad. Thank you planteater for your word's bring me back from slippery edges creeping quietly.... So the 66th day will be a photo opportunity at every moment possible.
I gave a tribute at his (my dad's) funeral - funniest thing,
my vision (my process handle this day.) to focus not on the last couple weeks. But look & see happy days. Photos are, our memories, so to keep them safe... develop those photos & display in pages of albums. Just Like we used to. You may cry, laugh, get a little angry or feel so peaceful in your own thoughts or chat away & don't let that 1 family relation get a word in edge ways.. You know we all have 1.
Photos and photography images where you can say "ah that was pretty sh§T day for me, But I took some stunning photos" or something like not as crap as the lighting on my photo...
Let's keep it real not be too optimistic about this emotions and feelings. Pessimistic I may be but. Nope I see kidology.
I love this reply. You absolutely capture the power of photography and the part it plays in our lives, our identities. You also raise an excellent point about actually having the images at hand.
Today, even the most personal images we gather - we trust them to a hard drive. Some day, when we are no longer here, nobody will trawl through our hard drive. We should actually print more images for legacy.
I wish you everything you wish for yourself and good health at the top of that list my friend,
I think this is a brilliant post. Thank you. My partner had a HA with associated anxiety, depression and fear. We didn’t need photography as it happens, but persistence from me to get out and walk. He now makes me walk! He’s 2 stone lighter, test results all good, blood glucose levels at pre diabetes level too. The wonderful therapy of walking cannot be overstated!
My husband has heart problems and has been in denial for a long time despite doctors warnings. I found myself becoming anxious and depressed and being recently retired I had plenty of time to think.
My saving grace has been walking our dog and taking photos with my iPhone. I had never taken a decent photo in my life before. I walk for longer oblivious to the time , I am taking much better photos and look at them frequently which also raises the mood . I have lost over 2 stone in weight without trying and the dog and I are much fitter. I have now got a camera which I am struggling to master but am motivated to do .
Excellent! You have found the same inner peace (and exercise) that helped me and so many others back to solid ground again. Anxiety does more damage than we can comprehend. We need to strengthen our own spirits to be strong enough to help our partners at times like this.
I hope you will actually print your favourite images too!
I wish you success in helping your husband to seek the advice he needs - it's hard I know - I was the King of Denial also for some time.
Very best wishes to you both,
Drew
PS - if you need any guidance with your new camera - I recommend a quick you tube search and I'm certain you will find all the good info you need. Quick warning though, don't go down the you tube 'rabbit holes' of photography - you'll never get away from the wretched computer! (I speak from experience, ha)...
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