Cardiac Arrest survivor

[Androidius]

Hi everyone, new here so just a quick (or not) intro; isn't it great to be alive! Glad you're on this mortal coil as well, long that may remain.

It's been 18 months since that fateful day that my family went through the hell of seeing me with my heart stopped. They rallied round and took it in turns to keep me oxygenated for 25 minutes until the paramedics arrived and took over; it's impossible for me to comprehend the magnitude..........

Pleased to say I'm now walking 3km 5 days a week and doing many home and garden tasks, albeit only for short periods before the fatigue and white face or giddiness sets in.

I have a goal of riding my motorbike again, had hoped for that to be this year but in reality I think it will be next year at the earliest.

I'm disappointed at how long the recovery process is taking, given I was told 12-18 months by the medical team during my discharge process. Guess it depends where you start, and for me that was in a pretty bad state of health.

Let me know if you have any words of wisdom about building stamina. I've lost over 3 stone and getting regular exercise, but need to up the energy levels if I can.

My blood pressure is low and heart efficiency 40%. From what the practitioners have said I have furred arteries too, so a bit of caution seems appropriate, just don't know how much to push to stay safe.

Look forward to receiving some feedback.

Take care and stay safe.

[Andyman]

It's been 10 years for me. I just pushed myself a little further each day. You say 3 Km each day but why not 3.5 or 4.

I think you have a set route. Change it. Go different places each day. Stretch yourself.

I can walk now 20km. I can cycle 70 km. I gym twice a week also. A little more each day.

Your body will tell you when it's too much.

Take plenty to drink and have stop or two if you want. It doesn't have to be a march. It's a walk for fitness and fun. Stop and look at what's around you. Start taking pictures of your walks.

I walked in our local woods and did a series of pictures of tree stumps. Another of leaves, shadows, wild flowers, ferns etc. As you do this you stop and walk and your mind is elsewhere than your health.

Good luck

[MountainGoat52 in reply to Andyman]

I too used photography to help with my walks.... I tried butterflies, but they were too elusive, so I started on wild flowers. It's amazing what you see when you look for it. 😀

[Andyman in reply to MountainGoat52]

Absolutely. Try taking pictures looking up then looking down. So different.

[Androidius in reply to Andyman]

Thanks Andyman, I used to be a photography nut so that would definitely work. There's a nature reserve near me with a lake that has all sorts to snap and it's a 3.5km walk around the lake which is my next stage to complete. All the best.

[MountainGoat52]

Hi there, what a lovely positive post! After all you've been through, that's certainly the way to view life. It's great that you have goals. Bit by bit you will move towards achieving them and I wish you every success in your endeavours.

Having a heart event is different for each one of us and direct comparisons cannot be made. However, reading what others have posted here and relating them to my own experience has led me to believe that recovery times relate to fitness prior to a heart event. I was reasonably fit, a regular hill walker, non smoker, minimal consumer of alcohol, eating a good healthy diet. All this stood me in good stead such that I was able to get back on the hills just 3 months after my heart attack and stents. I had a triple bypass a year later and started on small hills as soon as I could carry a backpack. I now climb the big mountains in Scotland. It has been a case of building my abilities bit by bit.

I think the approach that you are taking is wise. Build up slowly on your 3km. Give yourself rest days as you are doing... I was told to exercise 5 days week. Your body will certainly let you know if you've overdone it. Hopefully your stamina will improve and you will feel the benefit.

All the best for the future,

Gerald

[Batty55 in reply to MountainGoat52]

It’s a very positive post - wish I was at that level. My heart is only functioning at 24%. Some days I feel as though I could conquer Everest - the next it’s 6 steps. So important to as you say - listen to what your body says. One man’s half a kilometre is another’s marathon. We can’t compare ourselves to someone else, but it’s good to see that some are able to stretch further. It’s all individual & we mustn’t pressurise ourselves to much into being like others. Difficult though. Take care

[MountainGoat52 in reply to Batty55]

Fully understand your comments about being a bit frustrated seeing others doing things you think you should be doing. Sometimes it gets to me, then I give myself a good talking to as I know several younger people who cannot do what I do... and I saw some very unwell children in hospital when I had my bypass op. Very upsetting.

[Androidius in reply to MountainGoat52]

Hi Gerald, thanks for the reply. Did my best not to put my negative thoughts into the post, after all I've been given a 2nd chance and love that!I'm not a patient man in all honesty, so it's taking my wife's reminders to slow down most days, bless her! She's put up with me for 41 years already....

[MountainGoat52 in reply to Androidius]

Yes indeed, a second chance. Had I been of my parents' generation, then I wouldn't be here.

[Androidius in reply to MountainGoat52]

Certainly, my grandad died suddenly from heart failure and had no chance even though my gran was a nurse during WW2. I also count myself lucky that my wife and daughter are both CPR trained and my son was brave enough to take instruction, so they worked well as a team and made all the difference. I doubt many other families have that luxury today.

[Batty55 in reply to MountainGoat52]

Me neither. Modern medicine is wonderful. We are fortunate - even if it doesn’t feel like it at times.

[andy110519]

HiI had mine 3 years ago followed by open heart surgery for a new aortic valve and ascending aorta patch, the dodgy valve was the cause.

I was very lucky that I was down for less than 3 minutes and only one shock to start me again. I went down within a few metres of a defib and a few medical professionals so all good.

I had a reasonable level of fitness and was only 49 and with only being out for a short period I am fairly good re fatigue although my stamina is not what it used to be.

Ongoing fatigue is associated with cardiac arrests and varies from person to person. There is information on this available from SCA UK (part of SADS, links on their website I think).

Re what the medics say on recovery, if they haven't had it themselves I think it's very difficult for them to give a recovery time line for such things. There is the bits are then different having made a so called 'full' recovery, such as fatigue. I was told 12 weeks for my sternum to heal but the whole chest structure is compromised to some extent and takes a lot longer to settle to a new normal. I'm still seeing improvements now but I have pushed things at times.

On the plus side my 5k time has improved and I'm still here functioning normally most of the time.

Make small increases in activity levels, mix it up a bit and listen to your body, it will generally let you know if you are overdoing things.

Good luck.

Andy

[Androidius in reply to andy110519]

Thanks Andy, you're right aboutbthe Sternum needing time, I had pain for a year after all those chest compressions. All the best with the ongoing improvements.

[Driver11]

Hi 4 years this September since my CA, general exercise is great but you will know when you've had enough, the trick is to know when to stop. Enjoy every day as its very special, good luck

[Androidius in reply to Driver11]

Hi, thanks for your encouragement. Life is very precious and sometimes fragile so I'm clinging to it with every sinew!