Good evening everyone my name is Pete just joined today
Was after some advice I’m 48 had a heart valve replaced nearly two years ago struggled mentally ever since isolated myself and never really took on board what i had done anyway I’m trying this year to turn my life around and i want to loose some weight and build my body muscles up what is the best long term diet i can use that wont effect or be effected by warfarin or bisospol
Hi Pete1972 sorry to hear you are struggling mentally after your op. I also had AVR plus a bypass and it’s 3 years on and sometimes I see my scar and think wow that really did happen to me. You ask about diet a Mediterranean diet is one I follow lots of vegetables and fruit. Luckily we like fish so omega 3.
After your op did you do cardio rehab? I found it really useful it really helped with my mental health as well as getting my strength back. Maybe you could speak to your GP and try getting on a fitness course for heart patients. Being around people who have had a similar experience to yourself does make you feel you are not the only one.
I send you best wishes stay strong you will come out the other side.
Hi Thankyou for the reply
Yes my scar still scares me hate going swimming or taking my top off in front of anyone
Didn’t do any rehab no wasn’t offered any when I told people my age it seemed to stop
I’m trying to lose 2 stone but due to work commitments don’t find time to cook properly
Hello, A bit of tough love.
You will need to cook well and need to stop putting work commitments ahead of your well-being if you want to change. No shop bought meals. Cook and freeze. Want to snack, have un unsalted mixed nuts, fruit or tins of fish... The BHF have a vast list of recipes. print them off.
Hi, Pete don’t let your scar scare you, look on it as a badge of honour! Your part of the broken heart but mended club! As others have said try cooking over the weekend and freezing meals for during the week. It’s great that you are trying to make a difference to your life style. More power to you. Please try and find a cardiac rehab class as it’s been said you might be the youngest there but I bet you have a laugh!
Let us know how you go, on wards and upwards!!
Best wishes
Hi Pete1972
Sorry to hear that you've struggled mentally after surgery.
If you want to adopt a new diet, the Mediterranean diet is the one recommended . Below is a link the the NHS webpage on the subject
nhs.uk/live-well/eat-well/w...
The BHF site also has a number of useful articles in the section Healthy Living, link below
bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...
Hope these help
Hi
Glad you are feeling that you want to improve things. You might want to talk to your GP about getting psychological support - two years is a long time to isolate yourself and hate the look of the scar. Low mood/anxiety following heart surgery is not unusual and talking about it may help.
Otherwise, you mention that you have a need for a diet that does not interact with warfarin. You should talk to the INR nurses about what to avoid as you need to exclude foods high in Vit K - so I would ask about this.
Otherwise its great to hear you are feeling well enough to want to get to grips with things - taking control is a big part of full recovery.
Good luck and keep us posted.
Frances
You don't need to exclude things like spinach, just be consistent in how much you eat.
Plenty of veg and protein - steer clear of anything processed and in your case anything high in Vit K. Cook at weekends and freeze meals. Hard boil eggs and keep in fridge for a quick breakfast on work days. I made a fritatta yesterday which will be breakfast for 3-4 days. Also google to see if there is a stage 4 cardiac rehab nearby as you will find many people in the same position as you and that can help - albeit they will mainly be older than you! Good luck.
My wife has had the same opp at 66years and she goes to slimming world and also does the gym four times a week
Hi Pete, you are just 48 years young! So pleased you have joined this group, you will find lots of support. It’s so good you know some of the things you need to do, ie diet.
I think a chat with your GP would be good, to link up with the next cardio therapy group, also he may suggest getting in touch with the nhs Time to Talk. A one to one would be so good especially as you sound as though you have been a bit depressed.
So Pete, today is the first day of the rest of your life, and I’m sending you a high five, and best wishes.
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