Sick Sinus Syndrone help

[Pollyanna65]

I am 68 and due to flutterings had a ECG showing up Sick Sinus Syndrone.

I suffer with Anxiety, made worse by health scares, and am overweight by 4 stone, but Blood tests only showed B12 deficiency. I want to ask if I stop worrying and lose weight can I get better myself? I have not had any medication offered. They seem to have settled down . I take my blood pressure at home regularly to check pulse. Any advice would be grateful.

[080311]

Hello Pollyanna65

Welcome to the forum not somewhere you thought you would be joining, I know it comes as a shock to be told we have heart issues! I was 68 when I had open heart surgery to replace aortic valve and had a bypass. It was a case how can my body be letting me down it never had before 😩 but it was fixed that was 4 years ago and I now have a mended heart.

You ask how you can help yourself well lots of us on the forum follow a Mediterranean diet recommend by BHF exercise walking again recommend I did cardio rehab and walking was the thing that they urged us to do. After my op used to count lamp posts and try and get to the next one each day! Now I try to power walk though I thought I was going really quickly when a young woman passed me as if I was sauntering along😂 but I was doing my best for a 72 year old!

Remember you now are part of us Hearties and if you need someone to listen or a shoulder to lean on someone will be along to help.

Again welcome things do get better.

Pauline

[Pollyanna65 in reply to 080311]

Thank you for replying. I seem to burp a lot when I eat and have my right ear area feeling full going into my throat. I looked on the web ( as we do) and saw a Cartoid vein page...would cartoid in the neck affect Si nus node? I know we all look for answers, but, I do worry now and am looking at all my symptoms and coming up with Brittanica Encyclopedia of illnesses and diseases.

[080311 in reply to Pollyanna65]

Hi avoid Dr Google it as out dated information as well as wrong information give the BHF nurse a ring they are really great will talk you though any worries or ask you GP. When we are first diagnosed we tend to look for the why this as happened we can look at our life style change our diet get more exercise try and reduce stress, try and help ourselves.

Pauline

[Pollyanna65 in reply to 080311]

Thanks Pauline...its a bad habit, but our Doctors never explain the prognosis when they discuss symptoms.

Thank goodness we can turn to these Forums to share.

I get so fearful of Doctors just issuing drugs to try which may cause other health issues, but not investigating or discussing other options.

With Covid GPs dont really want to know much ...just quickly look at the Monitor and type in the discussion.

[Pollyanna65 in reply to 080311]

Thank you...for reassurance and the image if your power walking. My lame excuse, is my deal old dog, who has Arthritis, and walks particularly slowly, doesn't give me much incentive, but I will do my best.

[Chappychap]

Losing those excess four stones will massively increase your chances of a long and healthy life.

Good luck!

[Pollyanna65 in reply to Chappychap]

Thanks Chappy Chap..I have tried so many times to get my weight down . All the various clubs I attempted to join. I am quite tall 5ft 9 " and would love to get into clothes that are not 20/22 and should really make a better effort. I will see what BHF recipes have as a start?

[EMBoy in reply to Pollyanna65]

I had a pacemaker fitted just over a year ago, and decided to give up smoking at the same time - successfully. I do a lot of walking and try to keep as fit as possible, but have been piling on the pounds (due to constant nibbling). Trying to lose weight is a nightmare and lot more difficult than stopping smoking. I know how you must be feeling. Good luck.

[Ianc2]

Hi Pollyanna

Go through your cupboards and chuck out your biscuits and cakes. The BHF have lots of recipes and Diabetes.co.uk have a good selection of low/no sugar recipes. You probably know where your weaknesses are. I have a fitbit to track my activity and one of the readings tells me how many calories I have burned.

Last night was one of my son's birthday. Instant feast - trifles, cakes, ice cream - one and a half pounds penalty on the scales today. Ah well , cut back the biscuits and the spuds, get some more steps in, walk a bit faster, get the house painting back on, etc.

If you can aim to lose 8 ozs every week you will find that in 6 weeks your weight will start to shift.