Can I do Couch to 5K while in some pain?

[Wooodsie]

63 years, 12 stone, always felt fit and active till I got angina

Now doing couch to 5K as I can't see any specialists during this lock down. I'm on week 5 now and feeling better but I still get some background pain and use my spray. Should I keep going?

[Midgeymoo17]

Nobody on here is qualified to give advice over the Internet. However, I understand your dilema (sorry my spelling is very bad). If it were me, this is what I think I would consider:

1) Does what I am doing comply with all guidance I had received to date?

You should have been given some advice when your spray was prescribed. If you received no advice at all then I would maybe give your GP a Phone call. Angina is a common condition that most GPs will have had experience with.

2) If not and you still wish to continue, maybe drop back a week or two to make it easier and so you have no background pain just whilst waiting for advice/ further tests.

I am also slowly working my way through C25K (normal exercise is swimming - and my diagnosis is different) but there is a big step up at the end of Week 5 in the physical demand that may be inadvisable. If you choose to step back a bit, the really most important thing is to keep the pattern of exercising 3 times a week as that will make returning so much easier. You may find background pain disappears with slower progress through plan as the jumps will not be so demanding.

[Wooodsie in reply to Midgeymoo17]

Thank you Midgeymoo17, I didn't get any advice from anyone. It seems the first move is to prescribe the basic medication and then do all the investigations before coming to a confirmed diagnosis. I was part way through the process when lock down happened, so I'm in limbo and on hold - that's fine.

You give good advice, I will maybe repeat a week rather than move on as expected, that can't harm.

I can't spell either 🤷‍♂️ I blame the phone and my thumbs 😂😂

[Kristin1812 Heart Star in reply to Wooodsie]

Sounds good advice, to take things more slowly, until you can exercise without pain. For ‘pain’ I’m reading ‘angina’. Cardiologist told me that angina was to be avoided, it’s a sign your heart is straining, and that’s not a good thing. Use your spray to reduce angina, and use pacing better to stop it happening.

[Wooodsie in reply to Kristin1812]

Thank you Kristin. Yes angina pain, but not too serious (when I first had it, it was v painful).

I will do as both you and Midgeymoo17 say a d take it down a peg.

[Kristin1812 Heart Star in reply to Wooodsie]

That sounds like a good plan. I’ve learned over time, that if my HR goes over 130 I’m v likely to get angina.

Let us know how you get on.

[Wooodsie in reply to Kristin1812]

Mine too