I have just answered a post about working after a Heart Attack etc got me thinking ( Dangerous I Know )
I wonder when we change our life styles, what we Eat, what we do with our tTme, what we do about Work etc does it make us focus more on what has happened to us rather than just getting on with it !!! Does it become a constant reminder of what's happened to us every day Like I can't Eat That, or Drinking is bad for me Or I need to take it Easy
Just thoughts interested in how others feel
What a good question Prada. For me - yes I think about my heart attack a lot and the daily routines that will hopefully help me avoid another one. It has helped me refocus my life (I think it has anyway) and I’m really grateful that the damage that was caused isn’t going to get in the way of an active life.
I’d rather I hadn’t had a heart attack but I don’t see it in a negative way. I’ve been fortunate to get a second go and I know a few people who like me, mid fifties, didn’t make it. And they weren’t in a high risk group, either.
I feel very lucky to be able to see my children (who are now in their twenties) make their way in the world. As someone posted the other day - it’s all about choices. I choose to enjoy my life rather than think of the sacrifices. Although I do miss a nice glass of orange juice or honey in my porridge.
Hi Prada47
Good question!
In my case I'd already retired, so I was grateful that I didn't have to worry about the question of when to go back to work, could I cope with work etc.
After my heart attack I talked to a lot of people, nurses, GP, rehab nurse, dietitian etc about what I should do the aid my recovery and then acted on what I'd learnt. Certainly I was constantly thinking can't eat that, cant drink, must exercise etc, and yes every action was a reminder of what had happened.
I gave up smoking, stopped drinking, changed my diet completely, lost weight and got exercising - all at the same time, and for a while it was really hard to keep on track day after day, frequently felt like having a day off and having a cooked breakfast, or going to the pub for the evening. But as I started to see some results it gave me the incentive to keep up with it.
Now 11 months later this new regime is now part of my life, I no longer think that the piece of wholemeal toast for breakfast (rather than a cooked breakfast) is a consequence of my heart attack, it's just what I have in the morning. I've re-educated myself to eat differently so I no longer think that I'm denying myself.
In a similar way, exercise - which started off as a necessary chore, something I needed to do to help my heart, has now become something I do pretty much every day.
I've relaxed a bit since I started, and treat myself on a regular basis, some cake, ice cream, stuff like that, but not every day and those treats really taste good because they aren't the norm.
Do we all make these adjustments? I'd be interested to know what others have to say on the subject!
I feel the trick is to take the constant reminders as a positive to enjoy real food (no processed rubbish just real food you would offer to a god), enjoy the company of loved ones and to be more relaxed about everything; after all it could have been oh so much worse...
Everything in moderation, but don't stop enjoying the important things in your life. So far (8 months on) it works for me. Take care, be happy.
Hi
What a good question. I think you're right, making those changes does focus on what happened. I'm having to focus atm whilst meds etc being adjusted so have been asked to keep a diary of weight/bp/hr etc which brings the whole to the fore.
BUT as all this started 6 years ago for me, the initial changes were a while ago - the events of this year were unfortunate. The Mediterranean diet is delicious and just what I eat now. Fortunately quite a few friends eat a veg/vegan diet (and its quite common to find young people whose diets are meat free now) so I don't stand out like a sore thumb in that respect, and my body really lets me know if I have not done my standard 10,000 steps daily (with at least 30mins walked really briskly) so the benefits outweigh the disadvantages and the whole package is just part of my life without it all being too intrusive into the lifestyle of others.
Personally I don't want to be too virtuous about it all - I regard myself as blooming lucky to be here, enjoy my life, however changed, to the max and am thankful to the wonderful NHS for giving me the the chance to write this!
Prada47 ....
It's good to treat your self once and a while or life would be boring. I've had 5 heart attacks since January 2 cardiac arrest. Been on holiday 4 times this year. You must enjoy life to the fullest. Family friends..... asked my heart team about going back to work as I do miss it. Boredom ain't the word. They said not a chance. The strain will do more damage. I'm 52 years old I thought my life was over. Can not do the most simplist things with out being dizzy tired. So I do what I can . Have changed my whole out look on life. Was in a very dark place. Why did it happen to me always fit and active. But now I enjoy the second chance that I've been given. Some one said to me you are still above ground.
So I make the most of it
Honestly, I have thought about nothing else since it happened to me...
Hi
I had given my notice before I had HA but in all reality I dont feel I could have carried on with my job as it was very stressful.
Yes as first all I did was think about my heart ,exercise and eating healthfully but 6 months on I feel great lost 1 and a half stone go to Tia Chia and BHF exercise class walk everywhere rather than catch a bus and able to help my Mum who has HF and is 91 .
Life is great
A very good point. After my HA and 2 stents, I thought of nothing else for a full year; can I eat that? should I do this? What's my BP today. Is everything ok? Will I have another one? I ended up doing less and less out of fear ( and a year of horrific reactions to medication). I desperately wanted to do supervised rehab, just having someone there to reassure me if anything happened but our area has no seated exercise plan for the disabled. It's only now, 14 months on that weeks can go by without me thinking about heart at all. I haven't checked my BP now for about 3 months and I've found an exercise class that does do seated exercises although it's not with he cardiac team. Now I only think about it if I get symptoms like breathlessness. Even joining a group like this makes you concentrate on your problems despite the terrific help and reassurance people can give. We have now settled into a new diet ( with occasional naughties); I'm off most tablets, doing more and getting my confidence back. I even became afraid of driving more than half a mile on my own "just in case" but I did 30 miles yesterday. I think it's quite normal. We've all had a huge shock that takes time to overcome. I've now started to think thank goodness they found it; I'm better now than I was a year ago even though I didn't know it at the time. Ignorane isn't always bliss
Before my HA I was 120% work jumping in planes at the drop of a hat doing anything asked. Loved my job.
Changed my lifestyle after. Went back 5 months later and realised I just couldn't understand any reason other than money to work. So I made a plan with my company to retire ASAP. And together we made it happen.
Best decision of my life.
Miss the travelling but not the work.
Extremely worried about my daughter 
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