I think I'm on the mend 🙂

I had a HA eight weeks ago, a couple of stents fitted 7 weeks ago and I'm feeling pretty good, in fact I'd say about 95% of how I felt before the HA.

I've been out walking every day since getting out of hospital, at first it was a slow walk around the block now its about 45 minutes at a good pace including a few gentle inclines.

I'm doing all my gardening again and I've been attending Fitsteps classes for a few weeks.... although I've ducked out of the fastest routines, well I have until yesterday, I did the full class. We also attended a Latin and Ballroom dance yesterday and I guess we had about 30 dances including a few jives and I felt brilliant!!

My BP is now holding steady at about 105/67 and I think my stomach is finally getting accustomed to all the medication I'm now on as is my dizziness when standing up too quickly.

Importantly I also haven't felt my heart for a good two and a half weeks, before that I had felt it aching continually following the heart attack, a strange sensation and quite frightening.

I've yet to hear anything about my cardio rehab despite being told how vital it is on three occasions.

I've done hours of research on the computer as to what I can and can't do following a HA and angioplasty, the variance of information from care trust to care trust is unbelievable, some have superb detailed information others have not much at all. The rule I've adhered to is that whatever I'm doing I must not exert myself to the point where I can no longer take part in a conversation, I've got no where near that situation.

I'm 69, and I'm making sure I make all the lifestyle changes needed to play my part in reducing the odds of ever suffering another HA.

Have a great day everyone.

[Blackcatsooty]

Dear John

Apart from making me ungraciously jealous, you seem to be the perfect patient.

The lack of rehab is hopeless. I would follow the BHF advice.

I think the best rehab is still a slow walk, chatting away. Repeated six days a week. If you have to walk alone, not sure how you avoid being classed as a nutter who talks to himself.

So pleased for you

Colin

[Isobel1]

Well done ! Some people don't hear from cardio rehab for 6 weeks from when they come out of hospital .

[Ads568]

You can avoid looking like a nutter who talks to himself by wearing ear buds or headphones; anyone who notices will assume you’re on the phone 😂😂😂

[Chappychap]

Good for you John. Sounds like you're doing all the right things for a long, healthy, and active life!

[Hidden]

Thanks all, I lost my Dad at 65 with a heart attack and my twin brother 6 years with heart failure.....because of that I've always taken the "healthy approach", stayed active, stopped smoking, virtually no alcohol....but when it happens to you it's a whole new ball game.I know that your genes play a big part but I'm also sure that the life I choose to lead plays an equally if not bigger measure....I just wish I'd woken up to that fact sooner!!

[patience4]

Hello JohnH100, well you appear to be doing all the right things in all the right ways. Unlike Morecambe & Wise “ all the right notes but not in the right places” Enjoy life, if you don’t feel like walking or gardening, don’t worry cos worry is not good for us. Don’t go stressing over diet either just don’t be toooo glutinous. On a serious note when I had my HA I could feel my heart. It wasn’t very reassuring until I spoke to a friend who didn’t normally share his emotions but opened up as if i had joined his club his words made sense rang bells of similar experiences and emotions. It’s good to talk and share. Men do talk, possibly more when there’s something to help another man.

Take care embrace life. Just as you seem to be doing

[Dossy]

Hi John sounds like you've made a good recovery. I'm surprised thougj that you haven't heard from the Carfio Rehab team I had good follow up after a few days. Due to Covid the hospital were not able to hold the exercise classes but I was pointed in the direction of the British heart foundation videos on YouTube. Like you, I'm getting used to all the tablets, 3 of them were changed due to side effects like a cough and breathlessness.

At the moment I'm trying to find the best Statin for me. I got terrible leg cramps at night on 80mg

Keep doing what you're doing and I wish you well