I'm 52, reasonably fit & I thought healthy. Gym user & regularly walk. I had a heart attack at the gym on Sept 2nd, blue lighted straight to cardio and stent fitted by lunchtime.
I'm trying to follow the rehab rules but probably overdid it a couple of weeks ago resulting in a bruised, achy feeling across my chest & around my heart. This lasted for about a week and I'm now worried about over reaching & doing it again. I feel like I've gone backwards. I know recovery isn't linear but it's knocked me back a bit.
Is this usual? I've no one who's had this to bounce my thoughts off, so thanks in advance.
Written by
SaxManC
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Sorry to hear about your heart attack and I think for so many on here when they have lived a good life it comes as a shock but it can still happen as you have regretfully found out
Staying active is a good thing after but there is a saying which you may have heard
Don't run before you can walk
After a heart attack we have to slowly build our fitness levels up or we can feel like you are now so I think you have learnt that lesson
It is not a race so you have plenty of time maybe talk with your Rehab Nurses if you can and ask them if they will take you through a plan that you can follow rather than your own which seems to have been to quick
You will get to where you want to be but take it slower x
It is very early days, your heart needs time to heal. I was 61 y/o at the time of the stents and had been in cross-fit type circuit training 3-4 times a week for 2 years before my NSTEMI and stents in 2019.
Initially, I could barely walk to the end of my street and back without tightness between my shoulders. I had chest aching, almost muscular-type pain, and fleeting nerve pains in my arms, shoulders, and jaw off and on for almost 18 months gradually reducing. I put it down to the stents settling in.
I did have a repeat stress test and EKG at 6 weeks post-op due to the chest aching, both were normal.
I found walking was the best exercise afterward, just increased my pace and distance until I could walk 3 -4 km a day at a decent clip.
I feel totally recovered now and have returned to strength training but don't try for max best, just add more reps at lower weight or use bands.
Hi I had the same issue Sept 22. I also have had these symptoms when I over exercise or rush to do something. You do have to pace yourself and increase activities slowly. You feel better so tend to forget you are not the same level of fitness as you were. Things do improve, ask at your Rehab session for advice. Best of luck
Totally normal. I had a heart attack in March and had just about returned to strength by the time they opened me up for heart surgery in June. Now there are days when I feel almost normal and do something accordingly like commuting my bike, and then I'll be sore. There's the recovery of the heart muscle going on and all the surrounding muscles in the chest. I'm following the rehab guidance as closely as I can and their final words to me when they signed me off on the program after 12 weeks was that while I might feel sore sometimes, I'm not doing myself any harm - it's just my body not being used to the things I used to take for granted. So I hope that offers you some reassurance too. But in doubt, check in with the hospital's rehab team - that's what they're for!
You really need to take at least 12 weeks proper r&R before heavy exercising again. Light walks, yoga, meditation, swimming will give your heart what it needs to rest and heal prior to firing up on all cylinders again.
Listen to your body. We are all different and respond differently to recovery from medical interventions. And if you play (sax) go easy on practising, due to to weight, breathing etc. Lifting a bari would be exercise enough 😂
Yes I had similar thing, heart attack 2 stents, I took it easy at first with rehab and walking, then I decided to go back to my Boxersise class, 1st few weeks took it easy then 1 session I overdid things and landed back in hospital, fortunately no HA this time but taught me a lesson, always listen to your body and take your time and you will get back to a certain level of fitness.
I had STEMI two years ago and got a stent. First three months I had to be careful. I could wear out by walking too much! Much better after the first year. Recent ECG and stress test much improved and energy is at a good, functional level. For me, going easy have increased my endurance and stamina at the gym. Take care!
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