wierd symptoms mostly at night…. Plus diet

[stavroski78]

Since MI diagnosed last Sunday, going to be medically managed and monitored for now (stenosis in 2 places in LAD not serious enough for stent initially, another site with total blockage beaching off really distally but too small for intervention). I’ve been getting odd feelings in my right leg - sometimes left - predominately of an evening like tingling, coldness and poor circulation. Went back to A&E at first, they checked everything with fresh bloods, ecg etc but said it wasn’t heart related and shouldn’t be meds and discharged. Has anyone had similar? Feels uncomfortable, and not sleeping well so to sensations or lack of. I’ve been keeping moving doing a bit of walking around so not like I’m just sat still…

Also I’ve been reading about lifestyle changes and what I can do - has anyone heard of or had success following the vegan diet that Dr. Caldwell Esseltyn advocates for? I know there are no miracle cures but really want to turn this around and trying to be positive and tackle heads on.

S

[Happyrosie]

it’s well worth while taking a look at your lifestyle, I expect you know already the sort of thing - lowering your salt intake, plenty of veg, exercise. The NHS advocates a Mediterranean diet (google it). With vegan, you have to be really careful you get all the right nutrients. And as for things like “vegan burgers” you do wonder what on earth the manufacturers put in them. You say “doing a bit of walking around” . Is this enough exercise?

[stavroski78 in reply to Happyrosie]

Hi Rosie, thanks for the reply. Sure - I’m about a stone overweight…… but otherwise I was physically fit (I’ve ran at least 3 times a week for the past 12 years, lots of 10k’s, few half marathons). Well I was advised to not do anything like this until weeks down the line. Been getting out walking for 15 - 20 mins or so each day since I’ve been back home… nothing too strenuous. BHF helpline said this was fine, just take it slow. This morning I noticed when I went to the shop for some groceries even just walking around there is physically more of an effort than I’m used to (I walked up Snowdon last year for example). Don’t know if this is my body post MI or a result of the beta blockers, and other drugs slowing me down as it’s like I can’t get enough breath in to the muscles….. like I say, just over a week ago I was running less than 25m to do 5k, so this is a massive difference. I know it’s early days and I’ll have to adjust my expectations accordingly.

I’ve got so many questions, but first cardio rehab appt is booked for 22nd Jan so until then I’ll just keep walking every day and trying to increase.

Per diet I’ve always been 100% carnivore, but am just researching out there what can stop all of this from progressing and what’s best. Obviously this US doctor came up as he claims his approach can actually help stop and reverse symptoms of plaques longer term. I’ve got an open mind at this point, and if the docs tell me to do Mediterranean diet then that’s the advice I’ll follow. It’s a minefield to be honest with a lot of conflicting opinions. Some advocate for Keto also, but that basically goes against everything we’re taught with the cholesterol as it’s massively fat heavy….. not prepared to play roulette with my body as I’ve been given a chance to sort this here.

[Qualipop in reply to stavroski78]

Re diet, try to replace red meat with white meat and fish as much as possible and increase veg; don't fry or roast and cut out things like cakes, pies, biscuits and crisps. That's all I did after a heart attack and without even noticing I lost 2 stone. I didn't need to lose weight but it did help. The main BHF page has a link to hundreds of heart healthy recipes.