Interesting question.
After having stent(s) fitted for blockages, all the usual meds resulting in a low BP, low heart rate, great arterial blood flow, cholesterol down to 3.
Healthy diet, exercising, stopped smoking...
Does this mean my health is better than it was pre heart attack? Or am I missing something?
Thoughts please...
Oh I would say so💪
It is indeed an interesting question.
I had a heart attack/cardiac arrest in Dec 2018 - one stent fitted to LAD.
Have stopped smoking, hardly drink, lost weight, BMI now 22, changed to Mediterranean diet, got exercising, BP Heart Rate and cholesterol all now under control and in the good range - so on the plus side, all of these would suggest that my health is better now, but on the minus side, I've now got cardiovascular disease, which I didn't have prior to Dec 2018.
So I don't know, a lot of people might say that it's deteriorated as I now have heart disease, and to be honest I'd struggle to argue with that point of view.
I prefer to look on the more positive side - I can do things now that I honestly couldn't before, like walk up very steep hills without getting out of breath, run for a bus, I don't cough continually due to smoking and I all round feel so much better. So I'm gong to go with - notwithstanding that I've got cardiovascular disease, my health is better than it was 2 years ago
Wow you are giving me hope i am 2 stents HA 5 months ago and although it was rough in the begining especially with all those meds but it got better. A little rough again so i am questioning how well i will get.
I found it very rough the first few months, admittedly having 5 fractured ribs after CPR didn't help, but it does get better, there's a lot of information that your brain needs to process it's just a case of keeping pushing. Best wishes for your recovery
Wow can't imagine 5 fractured ribs and heart attack. Thanks for replying i too believe in pushing. We don't know how strong we are until you know what hits the fan.
I would suggest that if you had your HA in Dec 2018 that’s not when your heart disease started. You almost certainly had heart disease well “prior to Dec 2018”. Heart disease isn’t like catching a cold it’s a gradual build up, over a period of some time, of plaque in your arteries.
It’s great you’ve given up smoking.
Yes indeed. I now look back at a few episodes during 2018, like indigestion, feeling wiped out etc, which I now realise were precursors to my trip in an ambulance in December but didn't realise their significance at the time,
Snap!
Good question.
Your lifestyle initiatives may well mean you now have a better risk profile than a year ago. You mention quitting smoking, which is the biggest single discretionary change that you can make, the next biggest is going from obese to a healthy BMI, and I believe the third biggest is regular and significant exercise (ie hitting the NHS recommendation of at least 150 minutes per week of energetic exercise).
But we shouldn't get too carried away. The biggest risk factor of all, and by a country mile, is unfortunately not discretionary. It's simply our age.
Age is such a critical factor that a 30 year old obese, chain smoking, couch potato will still have a lower chance of a fatal heart attack than will a marathon running, non-smoking, super slim 60 year old.
Makes you wonder about some of those 80 something year olds who ate what they wanted, drank too much, smoked and very little exercise.
Chappychap, your comparisons about 30/60 year olds heart attack chances, I had HA in May one stent fitted, whilst been treated by paramedic he told me I was having HA... I told him he must be wrong as I've always kept exceedingly fit I'm ex racing cyclist..... He advised me it doesn't always work that way!!
I am 58.
If like me you were lucky and only had a very mild heart attack with no lasting damage to the heart muscle then yes I would say you’re health is probably now better than before. If however your heart attack was more serious you must factor in the fact that damaged heart muscle will not repair and so Will be with you from now on. But let’s be positive the changes you have made to your lifestyle are putting you in a better place than you would have been otherwise.
For me, definitely yes. I had a clot removed and two stents inserted within 90 minutes of me calling 999..... the NHS at its best!
I am a keen hill walker and the benefit was obvious once I got back on the hills - less out of breath as my lungs were getting the blood they required to function properly and no lactic acid build up in my leg muscles. Also, for the first time in many years, I was able to have a snack when exercising without getting dire indigestion as my stomach had sufficient blood to function.
Short answer - yes, yes & yes!
I think the answer is 100% yes. Particularly if you have stopped smoking so very well done! I think with stopping smoking it has been scientifically proven your body recovers in a few months to a state nearly as good as if you have never smoked. Dietary changes and increased physical exercise also helps big time but scientifically it is impossible to quantify.
I had this conversation yesterday with a cardio nurse and I feel in better health than prior to the event.I have lost weight, changed my diet mostly from everything I like to things that are good for me and I exercise more.
Yes, I can echo all the above. Although not a smoker, I was overweight and to sedentary. Now, a year post heart attack I have lost 2.5 stone, have low everything and love walking on the hills and moors. I feel more like 40 than 66.
Beta Blockers after Stents but no HA.
Heart health test!!!!!!
Health Anxiety after heart attack 
Post HA update 
