Mild heart attack

[Sheila1950]

i had a mild heart attack 9 wks ago and had a stent fitted but i find 30 mins exersise in one go hard as it makes my chest and back ache i am active around the house and rest in between i just worry about any little niggle with the coronavirus i hav'nt had rehab support only a letter it reopens in 2wks i worry that i wont be fit enough to do it ... sheila

[HenryTudor]

Hi Sheila,

Build up gradually. I’m 19 weeks from a massive (cardiologist’s word) HA and four stents. I found if I exerted myself a bit one day, rested the next, etc I gradually built my fitness. I started to get muscle and joint pains so resumed Co-Q10 (stopped after HA). I’m now closing the activity rings every day on my Apple Watch - 10,000 steps, 30 mins exercise + a few others. I’ve done so now for 12 consecutive days.

Like you, no cardiac rehab due to Coronavirus closing the centre. So just aim to build your fitness gradually. Walking is especially good because you can vary both distance and pace, and you can stop and rest if you feel the need. I can now walk for an hour at a brisk pace. I feel as fit as a butcher’s dog.

Good luck.

Henry

[Sheila1950 in reply to HenryTudor]

Thank you HenryB the physio is starting rehab in 2wks but he said i should be walking half an hr every day i have only done it gwice this wk so i have rested today but yes i think i will do it maybe every other day but i still get back ache and tight chest when i exersise but doctor is happy and i had an MRI stress Test so all seems ok just a bit anxious , stay safe.... Sheila

[Sheila1950 in reply to HenryTudor]

thank you for your advice it helps talking to people who have been through the same

[Henry20]

When I had stents fitted, the nurse wouldn't let me on the exercise programme for about 6-7 weeks as she felt I was still showing signs that I wouldn't cope with even those initial exercises. (and I hadn't had a HA!) But I didn't know what those exercises were, and it left me frustrated. Doing the exercises was, to me, I sign I was recovering. Psychologically, I needed to see those signs. I realised soon enough that the nurse was 100% right and I was so wrong.

Exercise is important, but it shouldn't hurt a cardiac patient, in my view. Go easy on yourself. This recovery process - I found it lengthy and now, 2 years later, it's still going on. It's not only the body, but your mind will likely have been affected too. If they are available, could the cardiac rehab team give you simple exercises to do at home? Perhaps most importantly, tell them what you are doing now, when you get pains etc. Take their advice. As others have said, take it easy, recovery takes time.

[Sheila1950 in reply to Henry20]

yes i have exersise to do at home but apparently i should by now be doing 30 mins everyday which i find hard 15 -20 i can do but i start to ache if i push myself but thank you for the advise

[Henry20 in reply to Sheila1950]

Hi Sheila

Good that you are getting some exercise, well done. Just a quick comment, just because someone thinks you should be able to undertake a certain level of exercise, I suggest it shouldn't be a driver in your thoughts. My response to such comments would be, "well, if that is the case, why can't I do it? I'm trying, it's not lack of will. So what's wrong? (if anything)."

My cardiac exercise instructor emphasises that we should work within our capability level. This seems a good attitude to me. From what I've read here, recovery isn't something that has milestones at fixed times; its highly variable. Doing something is far better than doing nothing; doing too much and triggering a medical problem isn't where I would want to end up. If in doubt, I speak to the medics.

Henry

[Sheila1950 in reply to Henry20]

Thank you Henry

[Hidden]

Don't try and do too much! The advice the others have given you is spot on, just take it easy, start with walking at a pace you can sustain without feeling to tired and build it up gradually, you will get there! Did you do any form of it before?

[Sheila1950 in reply to Hidden]

10 months ago i had an re-visit rotator cuff op before that i lost 3st did go for walks more but not a gym person or a long walk person i do where a fitbit clock up nearly 10.000 steps a day , but i have put 2st on after my shoulder op which still recovering from. then i had this mild heart attack and stent put me back , sorry a bit long winded all new to me , so 9 wks on i still find my chest and back aches after pushing myself to do 30mins exersise not in the same way as when i was having a heart attack that i did'nt know i was having for few days before taken into hospital i was shocked as i thought it was my shoulder so a lot going on ... Sheila

[Andyman]

If 30 mins are too much start by doing less. Walking 5 mins then slowly increasing over weeks. Call you cardiologist and get advice.

[Sheila1950 in reply to Andyman]

I have a telephone appointement with the cardiologist in 5days i think thats good advice i will make a note and ask ... thank you