Cold Weather

[mrgrumppy]

Hello everyone

I'm new to the BHF

I had a heart attack in April and had three stents fitted since then I have had a further three stents and waiting on a further three and I'm only 46

How does everyone cope in the cold weather?

I find if I do too much in the cold I get some chest pain and shortness of breath and have never been given any advice on what to do or not what to do etc

Thanks in advanced

[VickiMB]

Gosh you are young....my husband aged 50 had a HA 3 weeks ago and 1 stent fitted...although may need another. He has also had some pain out in the cold and uses his GTN spray. Do you have one? Also recommend scarf or snood round your neck and mouth.

[mrgrumppy in reply to VickiMB]

Hi, I was 45 when it happened only turned 46 a few months ago.... Yes I have a GTN spary I will definitely give the scarf around the neck a try....Hope your husband is on the mend

[NorthantsSteve]

Hi mrgrumpy. Welcome to the club. You’re right that the cold weather isn’t great for us as blood vessels contract to make sure warm blood gets to vital organs and BP increases. Have you tried wrapping a scarf around your mouth when you go out in the cold? It warms the air up and makes things easier. One thing you definitely shouldn’t do if it starts to snow is to start pushing cars without warming up in the snow and without a scarf to warm the air up. Fingers crossed your remaining stents do the job and you feel back to normal soon.

[mrgrumppy in reply to NorthantsSteve]

Thanks, I'll give that a try to see if that improves things

[NorthantsSteve in reply to mrgrumppy]

If you get a chance to go to cardio rehab strongly suggest you take it. There’s a lot of good advice there and it’s really helpful.

[mrgrumppy in reply to NorthantsSteve]

For some reason my local trust has never offered that to me as I was in a different part of the country when I had my HA

[NorthantsSteve in reply to mrgrumppy]

Strongly suggest you look into it. Maybe talk to your GP and/or give your local hospital cardiology a call. Maybe the GP can refer you. It’s really beneficial.

[Frenchbulldogsx in reply to mrgrumppy]

Hi the heart rehab nurse should have payed you a visit on the ward and set up contact with your local cardiology department who would phone you to set up rehab. Speak to your G/P. Rehab really helps. ❤️Debs

[mrgrumppy in reply to Frenchbulldogsx]

Thanks she did but somehow I've seem to have got lost in the rehab system which they are looking into for me

[Yasyass]

Hi when I go out in cold I find out if put scarf to cover mouth it helps me to breathe so much better

[Yasyass]

I take my scarf with me when weather cold if I can’t handle weather I will wear it and thanks I thought I was the only one affected by the cold I even have a light weight scarf

[mrgrumppy in reply to Yasyass]

Thanks

[fedupoffeelingtired]

I use a scarf over my mouth and nose gloves and a hat to keep warm. It makes a huge difference. Can definitely recommend cardio rehab, the support and advice is fantastic.

[mrgrumppy in reply to fedupoffeelingtired]

Thanks

[Calliope153]

take a look at my little picture - this is how I look when I go out - I have a small circular scarf which goes on first (covers nose and mouth) and then a standard woolly one on top.Breathing warm air really helps. Mittens are better than gloves (one side effect of the meds can be cold hands and feet) or fingerless gloves if you need to get a good grip on things. and always have a hat with you/ Onto my second winter since my heart attack and this year have finally admitted I fare better keeping the core warm - bought vests. Soul destroying but necessary..... and to finish off the ensemble - thermally lined boots. When you go out walking start off slowly and build up your speed to normal walking pace. good luck with everything - it takes a while to adapt but you will. Just take it steady. Rehab is really helpful so appear enthusiastic and push for it... they could be waiting for all your stents to be done but no harm in getting the GP to set things in motion..... Best wishes and you will get lots of advice here - everyone is really kind and helpful.

[mrgrumppy in reply to Calliope153]

Thanks for the advice

[Calm2]

Can’t stress enough the value of cardiac rehab. You should ask your GP to arrange it for you. Good luck

[mrgrumppy in reply to Calm2]

Thanks will do!

[Milkfairy Heart Star]

Hi Mrgrumppy

I am absolutely no fan of the cold weather as it is one of my major stressors that can lead to me ending up in hospital with unstable angina .

I am now into my 8th winter with me and my angina. Here is my list that I posted in another thread.

2 thermal vests

1 Thick tunic

2 cardigans

Thermal leggings

Thick trousers

Fleece liners in my boots

A scarf and snood covering my nose

Hat

Silver lining gloves from Raynauds association

Gloves

Coat!

I look like a Michelin man😊

Please please let it be a mild winter 🥶

[mrgrumppy in reply to Milkfairy]

Hiya! That's an impressive list I have already told my wife what she can buy me 😂😂😂😂

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to mrgrumppy]

I keep this company in business

They sale good reasonabley priced stylish thermals and vests.

uniqlo.com/uk/en/men/featur...

[MichaelJH Heart Star in reply to Milkfairy]

I feel underdressed! 2C first thing and

Cotton shirt

Heavy sweater

Medium weight jacket

Pants

Jeans

Soft top socks

I have scarf, gloves and hat ready when it gets colder. If I put more on I perspire.

[MichaelJH Heart Star in reply to MichaelJH]

However, two years ago with four severely blocked arteries I needed a scarf when it got below 7 or 8 to stop angina. Also wore gloves - I felt as if my blood was hardly circulating.

[Hidden]

I'm the same, I wrap up warm... Also ha in April, 3 stents then and waiting for 4 more 😊

[mrgrumppy in reply to Hidden]

Good luck

[VelvetSky]

Hi, apart from HA and stent I am also a chronic asthmatic and I find apart from wrapping up warmly,I if I suck Jakemans menthol sweets, the black ones, I can walk in the cold and not get so breathless. It may be the menthol or perhaps it stops me breathing through my mouth, whatever it is it seems to work for me. Take things easy.

[MissisF]

Hi. Being cold is a big issue for hearties. My husband gets cold indoors too (even with the house at 20 degrees!) He uses a hot water bottle fir his feet....(available on amazon ) . he’s stopped being worried about looking like an old fart! Thing is not to let your extremities get cold in the first place. Someone on here (sorry can’t remember - was it spirotofthefloyd?) swapped his medication with good results as much of it does lead to feeling cold - but generally I’d say just try to wrap up and stay warm till summer. All the best.

[mrgrumppy in reply to MissisF]

Thanks

[Frenchbulldogsx in reply to MissisF]

Tell your hubby to buy a heated throw... Mmm perfect for those chilly days. I've just bought one and I use mine if chilling watching TV saves turning the heating on. Can buy off Amazon or QVC.

Cosi Home Electric Heated Throw &... amazon.co.uk/dp/B07FF6B5F9?...

[Chrissydoll]

Hi I m 61 And i too had a ha in April and two stents fitted started cardio rehab for five wks which I found very good indeed 😊I saw my cardiologist last wk for 1st time since my ha and in all he was very pleased with my progress which is great !! As for the cold /damp weather yes I too feel itwen I go out in it but I defo recommend hat scarf and gloves it s so much better for us hearties I walk a lot now and it’s so beneficial gettin wrapped up for us I hope ure better soon

[mrgrumppy in reply to Chrissydoll]

Thanks...Hope your making a speedy recovery

[Frenchbulldogsx]

Good morning Mr Grumpy (is this my husband?)

Well it's OK you men advising to wrap up warm.... Try being a menapaausel woman in the cold... Its on... its off... Its on again 🤪. Trust me you men get to live life so much easier.... And as for heart surgery let's just say the ladies carry a little extra and it's far more complex.

I am sure like myself you think why me? But eventually it will be replaced with the determination and acceptance to live the best life that you can. We are young but are in a better position to get our heart health back. This is a great forum with a shared knowledge and experience of something we didn't want.

[mrgrumppy in reply to Frenchbulldogsx]

Hi Thats the bit I still haven't got my head around yet is the mental side of having a HA after all these months

[Frenchbulldogsx in reply to mrgrumppy]

Me neither, my work (ironically I work with the community rehab team!) advised a referral to a wellbeing team, I've been completing an online course for anxiety but tbh I find that it is for people that suffer with unfounded anxiety not those that have an obvious reason. So I am going to seek counselling as I still don't think that I have gotten over my quadruple bypass mentally that is.. Then to think I was over it over 2 years later having a heart attack is just confusing. What makes it worse is there is nothing that I can change as my heart disease is genetic and I am following in my father's footsteps. But on the up side he is 75 years old and my hero ❤️... Debs

[Myers]

Hi the weather is an issue specially when it is - outside you need to get a scarf around your mouth and keep warm you feel it more due to your oxygen levels keep your GTN spray with you at all times

You are very young to have gone through this and having 7 stents

Myers

[Harbourside]

I was only 44 when I had my heart attack and cardiac arrest (and x1 stent) in January. I have always struggled in this damp/cold weather due to asthma; I can't say I've felt much difference.

[Debee28]

Hi, I'm 47 and had HA in August with one stent and further stent in november. Cold feet now and getting a Scarf lol

[Ianc2]

If you have a look in the walking shops (Blacks,Cotswolds berghaus, etc) you will be able to look at lined winter walking trousers or ski wear, fleece lined shirts, as well as full face balaclavas, Just don't go into your local Bank wearing them.