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Bigheart58 profile image
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I had a major heart attack in February followed by two cardiac arrests, thankfully while I was still in hospital. I had to have a CRT-D (pacemaker with defibrillator) implanted. I’ve been recovering since then and am keen to learn from the experience of others who have been through something similar.

I would particularly welcome people’s advice on cardiac rehab. I’m a 62 year old man with a BMI of around 29 so I need to lose more weight. I try to get out for a walk most days but I struggle to walk more than a mile or two. I also find that I walk quite slowly.

While I was in hospital I was taught some basic breathing exercises but I rarely bother doing them. Do people find they are helpful?

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Bigheart58
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19 Replies
Ianc2 profile image
Ianc2

Slow walking is good, it will build stamina and strength although it will take time. It great to hear that you have changed your lifestyle and that you are getting started on losing weight. If you think of excess weight in terms of bags of sugar sitting on your back it might give you a clear target.

Be of good cheer, you are one of the survivors, all you have to do is to make the changes and start to enjoy your new lease of life.

EmmyLaury12 profile image
EmmyLaury12 in reply to Ianc2

Just reading your heart related history and what a tough time you’ve had !!

Cadiac rehab is the best thing ever I have been lucky to attend in my area as it’s up and running again and made so much difference in my life .

See if you can get in touch with the team as they can really help you x

I had my HA in April

This year 1 stent and it’s take a while for me to feel better but I took little steps to recovery and finally got there !

I’m sure you will too.

We are here for you if you need us I have found this forum fabulous and found people on here really understand it’s so reassuring.

Take care ,

X

Bigheart58 profile image
Bigheart58 in reply to EmmyLaury12

Thanks for your kind words of support and encouragement. The forum seems great with so many kind people who are happy to offer advice. I guess I just need to give it a bit more time and keep up the rehab.

So happy to hear that you’ve made a good recovery. All the very best.

Hi I to had a heart attack at home and two cardiac arrest while in hospital and was fitted with a pacemaker. Due to problems with my medication and having to change my GP i wasn't able to take up cardiac rehab but I started walking,concentrating on the time rather than distance, i started by walking around my garden for about five minutes and went to walking up and down the road then around the block and just increased from that I also have breathing problems when walking but I have worked out a route where I have places to sit and I walk at a pace that is comfortable for me I have regular chats with my GP he says that if I'm happy with what I'm doing then he is fine with it just make sure to carry your paper work and spray at all times.

Bigheart58 profile image
Bigheart58 in reply to

So good to hear from someone who had such a similar experience to me. Out of interest, when was your HA?

I haven’t been given a GTN spray so I might ask my doctor if I should carry one.

in reply to Bigheart58

Hi i had my HA in February last year I had my first attack a week before the main one whilst out walking, I managed to get myself home and rested and my wife wanted to call for an ambulance but I said I felt much better but turned out she should have. The hospital gave me the GTN in a pill form but after talking to my GP he said once the pills were opened their is a limit on keeping them so change to the spray I have one at home and one in my pocket along with my pacemaker letter and blood thinners card.

Sunnie2day profile image
Sunnie2day

Welcome, and I'm a bit (ok, a lot) surprised no one has commented on the breathing exercises you were give at discharge but haven't kept up with - every Heartie who has posted elsewhere on the forum about their experiences with the breathing exercises says the same thing - 'The breathing exercises made a huge difference for me!'.

Again, welcome, and get back to those breathing exercises - give it a week of dedicated effort and I'm reasonably sure you're going to be amazed at how helpful those are:)

Bigheart58 profile image
Bigheart58 in reply to Sunnie2day

Thanks! Will do!

Sunnie2day profile image
Sunnie2day in reply to Bigheart58

After a week or so, will you update on how it's working (or not working, that could happen!) for you?

Bigheart58 profile image
Bigheart58 in reply to Sunnie2day

Will do!

080311 profile image
080311

Hello Bigheart 58

Welcome to the forum you asked the question about breathing exercises I had open heart surgery and was given what I called huffing and puffing breathing to do the lungs take a hit as well as the heart so they need to get back to normal services! These I carried on doing after I came home and found them invaluable. So answering your question yes I would most certainly carry on with your breathing exercises. I am sure you will find them very helpful.

Hope you continue to make a good recovery, and your walking will get better given time.

Best wishes Pauline

Bigheart58 profile image
Bigheart58 in reply to 080311

Thanks, Pauline. You’ve persuaded me to persevere with the breathing exercises!

EmmyLaury12 profile image
EmmyLaury12 in reply to Bigheart58

Sorry Bigheart

Missed the bit in your post re- breathing excercises .

Yes would definitely keep them up as really good for your lungs and fitness.

I found medication and relaxation breathing excercises invaluable post HA. You can access really good ones on YouTube which focus on your breathing .

Good look ,

Let us know how you are getting on .

Well done 👍 with your walking too keep

It up! 😊💕x

Bigheart58 profile image
Bigheart58 in reply to EmmyLaury12

Thanks! I did 11k steps today. 👍👍👍

EmmyLaury12 profile image
EmmyLaury12 in reply to Bigheart58

Wow 😮 well done you ! X

Bigheart58 profile image
Bigheart58

Thanks, Stephen. The only surgery was the initial angiogram/stent and the subsequent pacemaker (CRT-D) implant. In terms of meds, I’m on Atorvastatin, Edoxaban (replacement for Warfarin), Clopidogrel, Bisoprolol, Candesartan and Lansoprazole.

sherwood123 profile image
sherwood123 in reply to Bigheart58

My condition unfortunately was past the stenting stage, and had a Bypass last November, Due to severe heart disease, in March this year I had a CRT-d fitted, it has synchronised the l/h +r/ h Sides of my heart which was missing like an engine with a Faulty spark plug .

It has never gone off, thankfully, but quite reassuring if it does there will be a chance it can help. My ejection fraction ratio was down to 15%-20%, so hopefully with the bypass, CRT - d fitted and now on max dose of Entresto things will improve. Will be later this year before I have another scan on my heart to see if things have improved. But I have listened to my consultant, heart failure nurse among others which say that, IT WILL take time. So you are in a great position to get yourself sorted out, just give it time. Regards Stephen

sherwood123 profile image
sherwood123

Apparently I have had a heart attack at some time! But I don’t know when, wish I did know so the condition did not get any worse. I am also 62 , an absolute shock , know ones believes me, I should be the last person in the world to have this condition, I tick all the box’s not to have this problem except one box which is the unlucky box 😩.

Regarding the crtd device , it does not bother me at all, I tell everyone it’s a built in mobile phone.

Keep smiling and keep safe, good luck to you. Regards Stephen

sherwood123 profile image
sherwood123

Sorry but did not fully answer your questions, I did not have to surrender my licence , because I did not have a cardiac arrest or heart attack to record. But if it goes off that’s a different story, regarding power tools, the booklet you should have been given will show you the ones you can and cannot use. Previous to my problems I used , chainsaws, still saws hammer drills etc, but Not used any since. Regards Stephen

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