I had a stent fitted 5 weeks ago and as a hobby I perform in a local band once or twice a month. I play keys and guitar but also share the lead vocals. I was wondering if there are any other vocalist out there that could tell me the approximate time scale before I could start performing again as the cardio rehab team have been a bit vague on the subject.
Any guidance would be really appreciated.
Gary
I don’t have a voice or ability to play a guitar that anyone wants to listen to but I sing and strum my guitar a lot and it makes me feel good. Doesn’t cause any symptoms when I do it so can’t possibly think it can cause any harm. Are you likely to over exert yourself, bearing in mind your surgery, while performing?
Hi, Yes I think that exertion is the problem as it's quite a lively performance at my age (lol) Light rehearsing at home doesn't seem to be a problem but live performance might be a little too much at the moment.
Appreciate your comments and I'll take it up with the cardio team again next week.
So far no stent for me (stable angina and rheumatic heart they think might be 'progressing' so I'm booked for echo next week then the cardiologist review three weeks later) but I sing ( vocals only, Big Band-Swing) and can offer a bit of advice since your cardio team seem vague-ish regarding getting back to performing. The following should help no matter your genre (folk, rock, jazz, punk, funk, whatever...)
Have you tried your warm-up whilst near enough to a chair or sofa you can quickly reach should the warm-up cause you to be dizzy or in pain? If you're using a bench or stool at the keyboard, be advised that is not enough support should you go dizzy, btw.
The best advice I ever got after recovering from pericardiocentisis (have had more than one) - give it a go but have something cushy to collapse onto close by. If the warm-up doesn't cause you any symptoms, try the slowest piece in your set and if that doesn't cause you any symptoms keep adding pieces from your set in a slower to faster. If you can make it through your first set without problems, wait in a comfy chair for the length of your set break then move onto your second set following the same building-up routine. Work up cautiously to a full performance of sets - you may find at first you can only manage a half performance depending on the number of sets in your full performance.
Hi,
Thanks for your reply and really appreciate your comments and advice.
I perform standing but that can be sorted and I we have just spent some time over the weekend rearranging the set list, as you say starting light and working our way through the more demanding numbers. It's something I love doing and having to cancel bookings for the past few weeks has been awful but I'm here to tell the tale which is the most important thing thanks to the NHS staff.
Rest and little by little seem to be the key words here so thanks for the reply and the information.
I'm glad you've asked the question - I do musical theatre and we have our next show in July. I had 2 stents fitted a couple weeks ago and am still trying to work out what I can safely do. I have my assessment with my local cardio rehab team so I'll be asking these kind of questions too. Wishing you well in your recovery and hoping you can get back to performing in due course.
Hi can't answer your question but I sing in a cover band (Rock, pop and blues) and it really lifts the spirits! I live in France so they don't care about my age just happy to have a Brit who can sing the lyrics without a French accent!Do you compose or do you do covers?
Maybe you could play keys and guitar for a while and avoid the vocals until you feel ready for it, try singing in private for a while to see how you feel.
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