Posted this is an update to a previous post some of you may have read, and as another lesson for me as the post HA journey continues. I am almost a year on from heart attack hospital admission.
The last time I posted it was about change of meds, increased ectopics, anxiety and generally feeling like I was “empty”, nothing in the tank, permanently tired.
I am feeling much better now and in terms of medication have changed.... absolutely nothing.
This last month or two has just demonstrated to me how much of an influence our mental health has on our physical well-being. I would I not have said I was suffering from depression or anxiety, but in reality I probably was to some degree and it was manifesting itself physically.
I made an appointment to see a Cardiologist privately, initially referred to have an echocardiogram to understand the damage to my heart following my HA. Once with the consultant I laid out my fears, concerns, questions and current state of mind... he had all my files and spent an hour taking me through everything that had happened. He concluded I was doing very well, had suffered very slight damage which was inconsequential - he had an echocardiogram on file I had never seen or had explained to me - and should get on with life, take my meds and manage my lifestyle. The whole experience brought me great relief and allowed me to draw a line in some form under what I’ve been through.
So, having not really been pushing my exercise because of Christmas, long dark days and feeling so lethargic I started to pick things up again, consciously and not allowing the lethargy to put me off because, once I’d done the walk or the cycle or the cross trainer session, I felt much better for it. I’m now doing online spin classes three times a week, pushing pretty hard and feeling good with it.
The ectopics, the things that started all the worries about 3 months ago, have gone. No change in meds, no massive change in diet, but certainly a change in mindset having been reassured they are nothing to worry about and not there to be focused on.
I haven’t been on here much because, although massively grateful for the help and advice I’ve had in the last (almost) 12 months, constantly researching and reading was causing me to focus on obsess and worry continually about my health.
The journey will be lifelong I’m sure, there will be other dips, but maybe knowing how to manage them better will make it easier next time round. This might help others, if not thanks for reading my ramblings. Keep safe.