Results are in..: Hello again, I really... - British Heart Fou...

British Heart Foundation

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Results are in..

Sikovvitt profile image
Sikovvitt
โ€ข28 Replies

Hello again, I really hope you're all.doing well x

I received my results today from the CT scan, it says I have some minor disease In the coronary arteries but no significant blockages, I am to still carry on taking my medication and have been discharged back to my gp..I'm more than pleased with this but also a little apprehensive about what do I do now..I know I've got to start eating healthy and am currently having to research all the foods to not eat..also exercise ๐Ÿ˜ฌ I don't know how I'm going to stop my incessant worrying and stress though?

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Sikovvitt profile image
Sikovvitt
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28 Replies
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BeKind28- profile image
BeKind28-

Hello :-)

This is wonderful news :-)

You can keep that as simple as you want like walking every day , swimming both of which are a great form of exercise

For them to have passed you back to your GP they must be confident there is nothing to worry about and you are safe back in the care of your GP so if they are not worried try not to be to even though it will take time to gain your confidence again but you will :-)

Let us know how you get on :-) x

Sikovvitt profile image
Sikovvitt in reply to BeKind28-

Ohh bless you and thank you so much, I really do need to start some form of exercise and I have started a short walk round the block every day..its a start lol..the diet thing is definitely going to be more challenging (I guarantee this ๐Ÿ˜ฌ๐Ÿคฃ) I love my food! I'll still keep popping by to see you lovely people x

BeKind28- profile image
BeKind28- in reply to Sikovvitt

Hello :-)

Walking is one of the best forms of exercises you can do and well done making sure you take a walk around the block everyday that is a good start :-)

Food basically I think we all know what is good for us and what is not and been careful looking at the contents of things when it comes to saturated fats and sugars they contain and portion sizes to that was one of the first things I cut down on :-)

I am glad you will pop on now and again it would be lovely to hear how you are getting on :-) x

Sikovvitt profile image
Sikovvitt in reply to BeKind28-

Thank you so much for the advice and I shall have to change my eating habits completely by the sounds of it lol..this may sound very naive but I kinda just thought I'd have to stop the crisps/sweets! I do have a bit more to learn but I will catch on I'm sure ๐Ÿ™„๐Ÿคฃ although I think it'll be a massive test of will power ๐Ÿ™ˆ lol x

BeKind28- profile image
BeKind28- in reply to Sikovvitt

Hello :-)

You will catch up and you have got the will power to :-) x

Happyrosie profile image
Happyrosie

great stuff! Some gpโ€™s are good at encouraging their patients and helping them get fitter, some less so. Your surgery is probably in a group of surgeries who employ whatโ€™s called a โ€˜social prescriberโ€™. Thatโ€™s the person who can guide you to the right area for diet and lifestyle. Your receptionist should be able to pass you on to the social prescriber or your doc might need to get involved first. Regardless, there are things in place for you to access locally. Free.

Sikovvitt profile image
Sikovvitt in reply to Happyrosie

Hi there ๐Ÿ˜Š Yes it is great news (spent a good few years very scared about my health) I'm hoping I'll be strong minded about this getting healthier thing now, my children's dad died a couple of years ago from heart disease and he was only 53..I'm 52 so I have to take it seriously and although I do try to make light of things as that's how I've always been I do understand the seriousness of being healthy for good reasons.

Thank you for your advice ๐Ÿ˜Š x

Tlyna profile image
Tlyna

Nine years ago I was diagnosed with moderate plaque buildup in my coronary arteries. I found a medical study (not from an alternative medicine study) on pomegranate juice that stated it was proven to help prevent the buildup but they weren't positive that it could reduce it. Since then I have been drinking pomegranate juice 12-16 oz every day generally with cranberry or acai juice mixed in with it to cut the taste a bit. I had to have tests before I had my TAVR this month because if the buildup was too bad they would have had to do the aortic valve replacement the old way with open heart surgery. Well the tests showed almost no plaque in the arteries so the TAVR went ahead. I don't know it it will work for all but it did for me. It is kind of expensive to buy that much every week but I think the plaque would have been far more expensive as well as dangerous.

Sikovvitt profile image
Sikovvitt in reply to Tlyna

Hey there,Wow! That's great news and it does sound like that has helped. I'm taking statins so would that impact on that do you know? I know about grapefruit juice being in moderation?

Tlyna profile image
Tlyna in reply to Sikovvitt

This is from Harvard Health and I have checked others which agree with this. There is a list below on statins that are affected by grapefruit and others that have minimal effect.

Certain classes of drugs โ€” most notably statins โ€” are metabolized (broken down) in your intestines by an enzyme called CYP3A, which normally reduces the amount of drug that enters your bloodstream. Grapefruit juice contains compounds called furanocoumarins that stop CYP3A from doing its job. As a result, more of the drug is absorbed, making it more powerful than it's meant to be โ€” even toxic in some cases.

Not all statins are affected equally by grapefruit juice, so grapefruit fans might want to switch to a statin that's less affected (see the table below). But if you can't switch, experts say it's probably okay to enjoy a small glass. That's because the studies showing dangerous effects used massive amounts of furanocoumarins, the amount found in a quart or more of the juice. What's more, eating half a grapefruit is even less risky than drinking grapefruit juice, since it takes several fruits to make a single glass of juice. But to be on the safe side, check with your doctor, and avoid taking your pills with grapefruit juice.

Big effect

atorvastatin (Lipitor)

lovastatin (Mevacor)

simvastatin (Zocor)

Little or no effect

fluvastatin (Lescol)

pitavastatin (Livalo)

pravastatin (Pravachol)

rosuvastatin (Crestor)

Tlyna profile image
Tlyna in reply to Tlyna

Forgot to add to this that I found a study on bergamot extract a couple of years ago that found the usual dose of 500 mg is useless, 1000mg has some effect but that 1500 mg is therapeutic to lowering cholesterol. I had been on statins for a long time (Zocor and Litpitor which didn't do that much for me and I hated being on something so toxic to the liver. Four months after starting bergamot extract at the 1500 mg dose and I was down in the upper normal range for the first time in 15 years. I don't know if that is unusual or would work the same for all but I had no side effects and I could have grapefruit without a problem.

Murderfan58 profile image
Murderfan58

Glad your results where positive. I go to a sit fit class every week before that my local council had an Active ageing GP referral sit fit class which was for 12 weeks free we did sit down exercises ,holding onto the chair and walking exercises. Before I moved her I went to an Age UK community fit club and the instructor adapted the exercises for me as I have a rare hereditary neurological condition as well as having PAF and a small hole in the side of my heart.

I didn't know about my heart until I moved here in 2019 and saw the cardiologist in 2020 who had an echocardiogram done as I had never had on then a bubble echocardiogram. MRI showed the connections between the chambers of my heart are intact and have a strong heart function. On Flecainide and Apixaban. I miss heart beats,have heart flutters and palpitations but not very often so I don't worry about them just relax and they soon go.

Since 2017 lost 7 st 2 years ago by counting calories and weighing everything I eat and drank and don't buy foods I have no control over. Was size 32 over 19st now size 16 and just over 12st.

Finally found out my disability April last year after my neurologist sent my blood to have the whole genome genetically tested in January 2020 but only got the results in March last year. But had already started me on the correct treatment for it March 2020 . After 32 years of limb jerks and seizures my limbs where still after 2 weeks.

There are healthy heart exercise classes check with your GP, hospital or council . By the way sit fit classes are not an easy option as our instructor works us hard but she always says if it hurts stop you should feel the exercise but no pain. I am healthier and fitter than I have even been I am 65. My neurological condition means I can't do things the usual way but I find ways to do what I want my way.

No idea if this has been of any use.

S

Thanksnhs profile image
Thanksnhs in reply to Murderfan58

Hi I would just like to say how amazing your weight loss is, you must be so proud of yourself for sticking to it and not putting any back on. Char

Murderfan58 profile image
Murderfan58 in reply to Thanksnhs

Thank you I had been obese for decades but my husband loved me for me . Then my neurological problems got worse and effected my mobility. My husband got cancer and died then had both parents and mother in law depandant on me then I had jaundice after my mom died in 2017 . Due to 2 tablets I had been on since 1992 . Seriously ill for 5 months. So I was finally free to live my life . Only wanted 3 things move house ,lose weight and get fit . Once I decide to do something I have to do it not matter how much pain I am in or how mobility is it's all part of my HPX. Until last year I thought I was weird but others with it are the same so I am not alone. ๐Ÿ˜Š

Thanksnhs profile image
Thanksnhs in reply to Murderfan58

What a lot to go through especially when you were ill yourself, I totally admire you for getting everything that you wanted to do done, I am the opposite I sit and think about all the things I am going to do and end up doing nothing, I need a bit of get up and go. Char

Murderfan58 profile image
Murderfan58 in reply to Thanksnhs

It's how I have had to be my whole life. Since a child I had pains in my legs and fell all the time . My parents were told it was growing pains and I was clumsy. I grew up in a large extended family knew all my great aunts and uncles and 2nd cousins plus the rest of the gang but it was just she's fallen again and no one made me feel different. Even where I went to infant and junior school it was with all the children on the estate so we had grown up together. It was a knew private housing estate. Working class parents who saved as they said in those days to better themselves. Both worked in factories. My dad always said no such thing as can't. Proper old values what little money they had was spend wisely. My brother and I always had Clarks shoes cheaper clothes but best our parents could afford Good cheap cuts of meat and plenty of veg .

I didn't realise I was different until I went to high school. Because I fell and was in constant pain I was bullied for 5 years. I had found learning difficult to retain information so used to write out the days lessons so the information would stick. Was in the top stream and did very well in exams.

So what I decided to do I had to . But I know understand why learning was difficult and why I couldn't run, throw a ball or hit it. Having a late diagnosis isn't ideal and wish my husband was still alive to know what I was born with and how I am doing.

My dad always blamed himself especially when the limb jerks and seizures started when I was 29 . He has Dengue fever in the army and thought he had passed someone on to me but told him my brother was fine it was just me being weird. If my parents had been alive I would never tell them it was hereditary and they where both carriers. But the gene mutation I have there was a 50/50 chance of a child having it. My brother hasn't got it nor his he a carrier. Because of have the gene mutation I have means I am not a carrier so my children and grandchildren aren't carriers of got it. Other gene mutations for the same neurological condition can be past through the generations

Sorry I do ramble on but others with HPX are the same it how we can cope with our lives as our bodies do weird things.

Just decide to one thing doesn't have to be big and do it. Then decide to do something else and before you know you have your get up and go. But don't exhaust yourself. I have to do things my way as usual ways of doing things I can't do. I always try and find a positive from a negative it's how I get through everyday without my husband. Last year it was raining I had plants arrived and decided to put them out in the rain. Was having a new garden gate fitted. I always have the gate open in the garden incase I fall. So I put on my waterproofs and wellies. I fell and ended up sitting on my artificial lawn. Phoned the men fitting my gate and they where on there way . They picked me up and said go in but me being me planted the last 5 plants.

Negative thing is I fell but the positive my wellies , waterproof trousers and jacket kept me dry and warm .

But thats me . I thing everyone one who is willing to post to help others and to ask for help is amazing. So you are amazing and never out yourself down ๐Ÿค—๐Ÿ˜Š

Murderfan58 profile image
Murderfan58 in reply to Thanksnhs

Just read your bio . How are you? Should have read it first wow having a transplant that's a major thing to go through . Glad you had such wonderful care in hospital. My late husband had a transplant but it was just his cornea but it stopped him going blind in his right eye. Just take things easy and do things at your own pace. Wow ๐Ÿฆธsorry it's a superman could find wonder woman .

Thanksnhs profile image
Thanksnhs in reply to Murderfan58

Hi it's so amazing what the surgeons can do now, my new heart is doing well at the moment it's just the rest of me that is falling apart ๐ŸคฃI got diagnosed with bowel cancer in December and once again I can thank NHS Scotland for organising all tests and scans within in a week, results and appointment with surgeon soon after. I had surgery at the beginning of this month and although it's taking me a bit longer to recover, the operation was successful and the cancer hasn't spread. This time I was in the local general hospital, not quite as nice as my transplant hospital but easier for visitors. Sometimes I feel I am the most unluckiest girl in Scotland ๐Ÿ˜ฑ I just keep thinking what next ๐Ÿ™„. Char

Murderfan58 profile image
Murderfan58 in reply to Thanksnhs

Oh my goodness you are a walking miracle . We are so lucky to have the NHS. You have a new heart had cancer which hasn't spread an operation you need a good rest and and once healed a luxury holiday somewhere nice with plenty of pampering . ๐Ÿ’

Thanksnhs profile image
Thanksnhs in reply to Murderfan58

I feel the same about the NHS. It's failings seem to be too much admin, too top heavy and different departments / hospitals just don't seem to speak to each other when you are treated for different things in different places, which is frustrating for everyone, Before my latest diagnosis we had booked a week in to go to Crete for a week with friends I am crossing fingers and toes that we can go and the big question will I get insurance ๐Ÿ™„๐Ÿคžchar

Murderfan58 profile image
Murderfan58 in reply to Thanksnhs

There are specialist insurers. I will look on my HPX group and see if I can find the name of who someone said they used as they where the only ones who would insure them as all other ones said they wouldn't insure someone with a neurological condition they had never heard of.

Murderfan58 profile image
Murderfan58 in reply to Thanksnhs

They used Direct line insurance. Hope they can help you if not ask McMillan as they probably know insurance companies that insure people with cancer and heart transplant.

Thanksnhs profile image
Thanksnhs in reply to Murderfan58

Thanks I will try them, I never even thought about McMillan, insurance is just a minefield trying to navigate companies and comparison sites and the prices are so different a lot of them were dearer than the holiday ๐Ÿ˜ฑ๐ŸŒžchar

Sikovvitt profile image
Sikovvitt in reply to Murderfan58

Thank you so much for your reply, my ailment seems nothing in comparison to what you've been through and I love to hear people who don't give up..you sound like a very strong willed person xI have a few changes to make and I keep saying I'll do that next week..๐Ÿ™„

I will do it though and if I want to feel better I need to, I guess its hard changing everything you know x

Murderfan58 profile image
Murderfan58 in reply to Sikovvitt

Always think of things as a marathon and not a sprint . You get there in the end just slower. The main thing is don't give up . Make the world to suit you and not the other way round. You can achieve what you but your way. That's how my life works. My husband was brilliant about making life easier for me and even with a disabled mom our children had a normal childhood. I couldn't go out alone when they where little but between my husband and dad I never missed anything the children did at school. Because of his attitude we alter our way life to suit what you can do that's why I have been able to cope on my own the last 20 years.

Everyone's life has it's ups and downs the main thing is to live it to the full. ๐Ÿค—

DWizza profile image
DWizza

Nutrition is really key along with cardio exercise (within your ability, walking to gear a little sweat and raised heart rate is great).

Nutrition wise , many have already said that we all really know what is good for our hearts . Whole foods , not ultra processed! I havenโ€™t had bacon , sausages , ham , chorizo etc since coming out of hospital. No factory ready meals , no takeaways. I make better food anyway ๐Ÿคฃ.

Check out the food colour code labels when your shopping , they can guide you. Be aware that salt & sugar contents will add up over the day. Plenty of healthy recipes and tips on the British Heart Foundation website , take a look and follow their advice . Consistency is key . Donโ€™t undo your good work with regular treats that undo it either . Try and save a treat for yourself maybe once a month . I read that some people have fish and chips once a month . I prefer to have baked salmon , actifry chips and homemade mushy peas these days , tastes bloody marvellous and cheaper ๐Ÿคฆ๐Ÿผ๐Ÿคฃ. Iโ€™ll save the real fish and chips for a proper seaside treat . Wishing you all the best in your journey . Great news for you ๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿป๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿป๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿป๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿป

Sikovvitt profile image
Sikovvitt in reply to DWizza

Thank you for your reply/advice ๐Ÿ˜ŠI really need to buckle up, I have anxiety and rarely leave the house anymore, I have no social life, don't drink, don't do much really lol..I want to get to a stage where I say I'm enjoying the healthy lifestyle..its a shame that food is so expensive and healthier/fresh food even more so.

I have told myself that from next week I shall start living a healthier life, I'm sure it can only make me feel better than I do, it's a shame because I love fruit and veg but just can't keep up with the prices of it..its not just that, the shop is a fair way away and I often do my shopping online so if buy fruit/veg in bulk it goes off quickly ๐Ÿ™„ sounds like I'm making excuses! My head is in for a shock when I start this change lol x

DWizza profile image
DWizza in reply to Sikovvitt

Youโ€™ve got a choice really .. I live rural , no shops round the corner either. I plan meals and buy whatโ€™s on my menu. Frozen veg is good . I put leafy vegetables in the fridge . No waste .

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