1st Heart Attack

[jmpond90gmailcom]

Hi!

Newbie here! My name's Jim. I'm 42. Just had my 1st heart attack. Colluded LAD looks like the cause. 1 Stent fitted. Father of 3, engaged to be married! I just thought this was somewhere I could tell the world and maybe find some help moving forward with my recovery. Also diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes whilst in hospital recovering

[jmpond90gmailcom]

Thanks! Another good news story. Sounds like you have really taken this second chance in a way I would like to

[Robbie38]

Hi Jim ,

This Heart attack may just have saved your life , My HA certainly did, I was told for years to stop drinking and smoking, and loose some weight but I took no notice , Being close to death was the kick up the arse I needed,

For many people post HA their lives become so much better than before, So don’t dwell on what’s happened but look forward to the future, It will However be a learning curve with medication and feelings of anxiety and adjustments do need to be made, You will feel much better and more positive about the future as thing progress

Take care Jim on your road to recovery

[Pollypuss in reply to Robbie38]

Excellent advice

[jmpond90gmailcom in reply to Robbie38]

Thank You Robbie. More great advice

[Chappychap]

Welcome to the forum.

The link between type 2 diabetes and heart disease is very common. Indeed it's probably far more common than is generally diagnosed, as you can be insulin resistant for years before it would be obvious from blood sugar levels.

The good news is that type 2 diabetes can be reversed, and if your diabetes was the root cause of your heart disease then that might then slow its progress to an absolute crawl. Which at 42 with three kids and a new wife is exactly what you need!

I haven't had a heart attack, but I had a bypass operation. My GP investigated and found I was trending towards becoming insulin resistant, the very first step on the road to type 2 diabetes. 18 months on and a Mediterranean diet, losing a couple of stone, and getting serious about exercise, has completely reversed my insulin resistance and put me right back into the safe zone, which in turn has radically reduced the risk of ever having a heart attack.

So it's absolutely do-able. And you owe it to yourself, your kids, your fiancé, and all the NHS staff who have worked on you, to knuckle down and make the life style changes necessary to turn around your diabetes.

Good luck!

[jmpond90gmailcom in reply to Chappychap]

Thanks ChappyChap. Mediterranean diet sounds wonderful and right up my street! May be on to you for some recipes!

[84green]

Hi and welcome.

You have already had some excellent advice on your heart. I also have type 2 diabetes. I was diagnosed with mild atherosclerosis in two arteries in February. At that time my HbA1c level was 56 mmol/ mol. As you may know the level for a diagnosis of type 2 is 48 and above 42 is regarded as pre diabetic. I had been between 48 and 56 for about three years.

As Chappychap rightly points out diabetes is linked to coronary heart disease but can be managed.

My atherosclerosis diagnosis kicked me into (long overdue) action. In April my reading was 38 and in July 34. I have so far lost 35 kgs through diet and increased my exercise levels ten fold.

The reason I mention this is because many, including some doctors, still regard diabetes as an irreversible, progressive disease. It’s not! When I saw my diabetic nurse in February she wanted to increase my medication. I said I wanted to try 8 weeks of the Newcastle 800 calorie a day diet first. This is now quite a well known diet for sending diabetes into remission. The nurse has never heard of it!

The long term lifestyle changes you need to combat diabetes will also help combat heart disease. So, be proactive and if you feel your surgery isn’t helping your diabetes, take responsibility and do it yourself.

Let me know if I can help.

Best wishes.

[jmpond90gmailcom in reply to 84green]

Thanks for the reply and information

[jmpond90gmailcom]

Thanks ever so much for your reply and information

[Misstibbs]

With any luck you’ve got through the most frightening bit, you have everything to live for with 3 children, take the medication and keep as fit as you can and enjoy life👍

[jmpond90gmailcom in reply to Misstibbs]

Thank you. I hope your right about coming through the worst bit! Good advice hoping to make the most of it all🤞

[EmmyLaury12]

Hi Jim,

Yes welcome to the one stent club !!!

I had my HA in April this year out of the blue thought I was fit and healthy at 63. But obviously wasn’t , stent fitted and can honestly say after a few hick ups I’m fitter than I ever was before HA. I have just finished couch to 5k and enjoying the cadiac rehab programme . So push for that as it’s absolutely marvellous!!

I think it’s early days for you Jim and I think I started to settle a bit 2 months post HA. Emotionally stable a massive shock to take in but honestly you’ll get there because I and all other hearties on this forum have done .

I am here like everyone if you worried about anything at all

How lucky are you having a lovely girlfriend, three beautiful children .

You will get through this Jim and soon will be able to enjoy life again ,

Little steps x

Sheila

[jmpond90gmailcom in reply to EmmyLaury12]

Thanks for the reply Sheila. I hope your right and I can go on to lead as full life as my heart allows. I feel safer knowing that this forum is here to support me along the way.

Jim x