Pre heart attack, I loved my cardio and weight training sessions.
I was used to love the leg burn post cardio and was aware of the D.O.M.S around the arms, shoulders, back, chest and abdomen post weight training/ kettle bells.
It was something I was used to, dealt with it and just forgot about it.
Post Heart Attack
It's the D.O.M.S which are doing my head in, that uncomfortable dull ache that they give in the areas of my body which remind me of my heart attack are too close an association.
I know it's D.O.M.S because it's muscle movement orientated , I know it, but it's driving me crazy. I can't for the life of me shake that association away. I just notice it a lot then my brain goes into ' hey remember how your heart attack felt?' It's got to the point where I'm thinking of dropping resistance training, but then that means my heart attack won and I lost.
Anyone else ever had this? Am I mad? Give me a slap if you think I am.
Sometimes I think I feel worse now in my life then before I had my heart attack which seems illogical
Well if you were in front of me and asked me to smack you I might have obliged
Well I have never been into this gym thing so I cannot comment on exercises but I can still relate
An example is I need to take a medication it gives me aches in my arms and when it does it reminds me of when I had my heart attack and then it makes me feel I do not want to take the medication that I really need to be taking so I have to grin and bear it which is difficult but hope eventually as my body gets used to this med things will settle down
I am going to let the other fitness members answer you but just wanted to say that this thought is something that when we are doing something or taking something if we get familiar feelings then this is what are heads start to say
I just liked your other post by the way as you said don't answer and I am so pleased you are feeling better and that your Dad is doing so well x
BeKind28- thank you, whilst it's not good to hear that a medication you take gives you the same feelings I get, it's given me a virtual slap to say 'oi baly , stop moping around, everyone here is In the same boat ,so get on with life'.
It's been an odd week, and thank you for sharing your experience on how necessary, important things might not make you feel great mentally and physically but are very important and need perseverance.
No don't slap yourself I get the impression sometimes you give yourself a hard time because you have feelings and thoughts that so many of us have yet you can come on hear and talk about them which is a positive as if just one person benefits from knowing it is not just them that feels or thinks this way that has helped someone and possibly made them feel better
If you find a way without me having to slap myself how you stop your mind from doing this let me know will you x
Unfortunately we are all a member of a club we didn’t want to join 😢I’ve just started doing the bhf rehab classes on you tube and I’m obsessed with my pulse when I’m doing it , think it’s way too high ? But I’m gonna carry on regardless as I need to get excercising . Glad your dads getting better
Thanks Stent2024, I do the same I monitor my heart rate , 02 rates, blood pressure after each set, I think I'm bordering on being a bit unhealthy about it and like you I should just soldier on.
My dad's looking better thank you and all the best in your recovery
Yes, same here. Made worse for me by the fact that I have a pin implanted in my left shoulder from an old injury, which aches me now and again, especially after lifting weights... . Nothing more exciting for a heart attack survivor than getting sharp pain in the left shoulder area, eh? 🙁
Hi Hidden I know just how you feel. Prior to my heart issues, everyone knew me as a major gym bunny. I was one of those people who regularly took gym selfies during my weight training sessions. I loved feeling 'the burn' from my muscles responding...now I have heart failure which came from nowhere and an ICD pacemaker/defibrillator and any little twinge I feel fills me with fear. I'm scared to exercise and just can't enjoy it like I did before as I have to noe be obsessively watching my heart rate fir fear my ICD will shock me! I'm also no longer allowed to do my beloved HIIT workouts as this will raise my heart rate too high and put too much pressure on the heart. It's horrible feeling this way. I haven't had a heart attack like yourself, but I can relate to your fear. I really hope that over time we both start to feel a bit more comfortable with these feelings.
hi, oh man that's a tough one and hope you recover from this overtime.
Did you do cardio rehab? I'm thinking if you didn't then maybe join and by execersing under supervision in a safe environment it may bring your confidence back up and allow you to slowly get back into the excericse you loved doing.
It's very frustrating as it HIIT workouts and Weight training consistently pushing myself was my main passion. Yes, I did cardiac rehab and the cardiac rehab which really helped get my confidence back up to even get back in the gym, so I am back and enjoying it, but unfortunately it doesn't change the fact that I have no choice but to rein in my workouts due to my condition and defibrillator, so I can't enjoy my workouts anymore I really hope that you start to enjoy yourself going forward though. I guess with getting used to the variation of twinges, you will gradually feel more confident about what is normal and start to enjoy your workouts again as much as you did before.
Good morning. I'm definitely NOt a gym bunny ! despite being awake at this early hour 😉 and checking my emails and scrolling through random HU postings.
Reading your post, between the lines, this appears to be way more than just a physical issue for you.
You sound articulate and well balanced, and no, you are not, I very much doubt, "going mad".
I'd suggest it's possibly the "acceptance" issues you have that is fueling your anxiety.
The fact that you view your situation as a battle, by giving up the training "the heart attack has won" is interesting.
I've had acceptance issues, big time, following my HA and subsequent medical issues, and it's taken me to some dark places, that I never want to visit again.
I digress, apologies . .
It may just be your competitive spirit, but by default, it could suggest that you feel like the looser by throwing in the towel on the training front, and of course, this can have a significant impact on your sense of self worth and coming to terms with how your life is now.
It's not just our bodies that change post HA, but our minds. It's way easier to treat the physical than it is the psychological, but it can be done, just may take a little longer.
Maybe take a look into CBT therapy.
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy.
You may have heard of it before. If so, just ignore me 😉
It's a theraputic tool that helps change the way we think and respond to, often negative and challenging thoughts and feelings.
You can get a referral from your GP, or self-referr privately.
It's not Counselling, you won't need to pour your heart out, although that's not necessarily a bad thing either, and does indeed work for many people.
Thank you for your reply, yes acceptance, that is my biggest issue ( even though I talk the talk ) I reckon I'm still angry,annoyed, pissed off with what happened. Sometimes I feel like I'm half the mam I used to be ( but that's me being stupid).
It's always there in the back of my mind.
I've heard of CBT and like most fools, thought "not for me, I can beat this"
But I do think it's a really great suggestion, thank you
I will never give up staying fit, it's something I've loved doing most of my adult life and now it's very important .
I totally get it !! I'm not the woman I used to be either, and I rather liked her 😉. I miss her. I miss my former life. And yes, it does make you feel bloody angry, it's the unfairness of it all . We know life is not fair, but still . . .Grrr
If staying fit is "your thing" go for it.
You may have to do it in a slightly different way, given your heart issues, but if it helps you stay mentally well, it's all good.
No you are not mad nor do you need a slap . Is natural to feel frightened and that's what you are feeling. My brother has found swimming is the best exercise for him as it works your whole body without putting a strain on anything. He swims every morning at 6.30 and does 50 lengths . He started at 20 and after a few weeks upped it to 30 . He sticks to 50 now and does it quicker than when he started but it has helped him lose weight ,given his heart and breathing a good work out without fear of straining anything . He swims no matter how he feels as he always feels better afterwards. He is due for a hip reconstruction on the 18th and the swimming had helped to get fit ready for it plus doing the post op exercises.
I got to sit fit class every week and no matter how much pain I am in or how bad my mobility is I still go because I feel better afterwards. Sit fit is not an easy option as our instructor works us hard. But she always says you should feel the exercise but if it hurts stop. We do exercises sitting down,holding on to the back of the chair and walking exercise. We use weights I can only use 2 x 500g ones ,long resist band and circular resistance band. She has men in her morning class and a friend and her husband goes he has Parkinson's but found his health and mobility has improved.
I have PAF ,hole in the side of my heart I was born with but didn't know until 2020. I also have hereditary Hyperekplexia gene mutation SLC6A5 type 3 which is rare and is a gene mutation in my brain receptors so had problems with constant pain,falling and host of mobility and other problems but didn't get diagnosed until April 2022. And only because my new neurologist had my whole genome genetically tested.
Perhaps swimming may be a start to exercise for you . Then see if you have the confidence to try something else. Have you looked for healthy heart exercise classes in your area? Think you can find them though BHF website.
And way good luck to you and never put yourself down . Be proud you are a survivor. 💪
I've joined the gym where I did my NHS cardio rehabilitation ( Which I loved).
They are some cardio nurses and specialist cardio rehabilitation fitness instructor who's given me my program.
I discussed with him my mental issues with DOMS, and we both agreed it's a tough one and unfortunately a lot of us feel the same emotions but we have to find a way of managing it over time.
Your story has inspired me so thank you and I wish you the best
Glad to help. I have come to realise physical health problems effect your mental health and vise versa. Getting both in sync is hard but well worth feeling good about both. 😊
Living with a heart issue is not easy mentally we all know.
As you have joined the gym where you had the rehab speak to the heart re hab experts there again and as previously I am sure they will help you going forward.
From my point of view how I dealt with it was a number of ways, things have changed (obvious), but based on that think it is not want you can't do it's what you can do that counts!
Try and not think of your heart attack as a taking over your life (a negative). just try and think of it as something that is part of me now (like the rest of body) and you just have to adjust to it. I found this worked one day after suffering another medical matter which really affected me mentally for 20 years when I was younger and by doing this really changed matters. I used it for my heart problems and it really helped me.
Take your time recovering and improving, I am over 2.5 years in and as I have said previously I am still improving slowly, I have not seen any of this time as a negative, as things could have been so different!
Celebrate what you do do.
Best wishes, it is early days still you seem the type of person who will adjust and you will find ways around to deal with things.
I suppose in my mind 16 weeks on is long enough to be over this and get on with life, you hear all the successful end stories but never get any insight into what the journey was in-between.
I'm probably trying too hard, too fast, trying to be that person who can say 'yes I beat this' after what has been a period of a massive reduction in physical excersion.
You have some wise points and I will take them on board thank you
16 weeks is still early, considering the major trauma you have been through.
As well as learning from others, you will also learn much about yourself as you go along, trust me, also I don't see any harm in taking a rain check looking back and thinking about your journey is progressing and how things good (especially) have helped you and what you could perhaps do a little differently (rather than focusing what went wrong!). Just think where you were say 3 months ago compared to now. As I said you will get there but do take your time and be careful.
As for doing too much too quickly, I can relate to that my father who is 86 has come out of hospital only a week ago from a hip replacement op and is already trying to do to much. He thinks he can go walking in the peak district in a couple of weeks!
We are all different and yes whilst I celebrate find inspiration and enjoy what others can do and achieve, I don't care as to how it relates to me as I am not in a race with anyone else to do what they I can.
With your attitude you will get there as to when does really matter!
You've had some fantastic replies to your post baly_2023 & I agree with them all. My love pre-heart attack was fell walking. 8 months on, I haven't been up a fell for fear of another ha. However, when I went to cardio rehab, one of the nurses told me that aslong as I can excercise & still talk then I'm ok. She also said if it was down to her she'd ban heart monitors on watches etc as ppl get obsessed with them including myself. I've wanted to slap myself many times since my ha for stressing about every twinge I've had, & allowing myself to constantly worry about having another. I've decided now, to get out & do what I love but take it easier. I'm not going to sit around & worry, I'm going to get on with my enjoying my life. I'll do my best to be healthy & that includes my favourite excercise 😃
another uplifting reply, thanks Dyllibobs, I think I might give my watch to my neice, bloody thing monitors heart rate, blood pressure, 02 levels, basic ECG. It's probably the last thing my obsessed mind needs.
Good morning baly_2023. Have you spoken to the cardio rehabilitation team about how you feel at your gym. I would have thought they would be best to advise you. Brian
I thought awhile before answering as I wanted my reply to hopefully be productive. You may have read some of my other posts but I will give you a bit of info about my situation. Bear with me please. I had a CABG and a mechanical mitral valve installed 21 years ago for which I need to take warfarin. Apart from that I have stage 3 kidney disease and a raised liver enzyme (these don't worry me as many people have these without even being aware). I take levothyroxine for an under-active thyroid which I believe causes me more problems than other things but... I have auto-immune problems that have me as borderline pernicious anaemia alongside scalp problems which seem to be incurable. My immunity is a bit rubbish to say the least and I get everything that goes around. I have an extra lumbar vertebrae, one leg shorter than the other and have had three prolapsed lumbar discs and two calcified neck discs which need surgery but with my other problems and medicines this would be unwise. I also have osteoarthritis in various joints and hips. Have I left anything out? Probably🙂.These ailments would be acceptable if I was able to take anti-inflammatory drugs but, I can't. The pain is permanent.
SO? I hear you say. Well, I go in the gym three days a week because if I don't I will deteriorate rapidly. I do three different programmes with weights and varying reps which leaves me, as a 75 year old man, quite strong and moderately fit. I am also (a bit ashamed to say), quite vain!
Post surgery I had, like most people, emotional whirlwinds and still get teary sometimes thinking of loved ones both alive and dead but, and this is the crunch, I am here to experience those emotions and am determined to stay here as long as possible for my family's sake and also my sake. I now do as much and live as normally as possible whilst I can.
My advice is to look at your situation, tell your body it can't beat you, stand up, push your chest out, be kind to yourself and PROUD that you are back! Good luck my friend!
Omg. Mitcham, its not nice to read what you've been through but also bloody impressive and inspiring on how you have pushed through , keep on with it and stand proud and fit.
I need to grow a set , thank you for sharing that with us
No Baly. You have a set! You have to get a sense of perspective. Don't go in the gym five days as a starter. Mon. Wed. Fri. is sufficient for weights about one hour, Tuesday and Thursday 30 minutes cardio each time (bike, treadmill etc.) Weekends are for for recovery and relaxation. Also for enjoying living. Don't go mad at it and don't fret if you have to miss a session. You'll catch up!
May I say that was one cracking & inspiring post...thank you, reminds me to just say thanks to all who've stood by me and helped me, time to jolly well get on with things, all the very best to you 👍
what interesting replies you are getting! I’ve not had a HA (I care for someone who has cardiovascular issues) but I have had cancer. So every time I have a shower it reminds me that I had a mastectomy.
It’s all part of,life’s rich patterns, isn’t it. The older you get, the more has happened to you!
It's true Happyrosie, we all have some scars physical or mental and even though I think I'm a tough cookie, I'm happy to acknowledge when I'm not and look for guidance in others stories of life.
Hi baly_2023, we've had a couple of good and informative back and forths, & we're not too dissimilar I feel, so here goes.....
imagine you're just like a shark, in that you must keep swimming otherwise you'll drown, if you stop that's it... so here you are swimming happily along and you come across a huge barrier. Two choices, stop and well....? or you find a way around, a way you've never been before and it's going to be a little arduous, even a bit frightening...but also maybe, if you let yourself believe, a little exciting, an opportunity, a second chance...you just need to choose...
True Cruiser25, I intend to carry on swimming and invest more in good techniques of rest and recovery, something which I didn't really pay too much attention to before.
Just been an bad week , with what happened to my dad, I think my 'how much crap is allowable ' meter got full.
Going to have a few days rest, then rather than be all proud and try to hit those reps and weights ( as prescribed by my cardio rehab instructor, who I owe a massive deal of gratitude), I'm going to dial it back when I feel 70% of the effort pre HA.
Feel like a right prat lol, I've constantly replied to people's posts of the importance of rehab and here's me now whining like a baby.
Refocus, regroup, be sensible, acknowledge it will cause uncomfortable aches and enjoy it again.
No worries, like I mentioned, we're not too dissimilar and I too have a propensity to dwell, you're dads gonna end up better than us! great news he's on the mend & be kind to you 😉
I was also a lot more fortunate than most of the people on this forum. My running coach sent me for a check-up so I did not have a heart attack, only 2 stents to clear my LAD.
Although there was no heart damage and the blockage in my LAD was cleared I also find it is the mental side that is hard. I am probably overly concerned about my heart rate or any slight ache. It has taken me 18 months building up slowly and I am just getting back to club racing and probably should try weights.
I find that running with other people helps lower these anxieties but solo runs I still find challenging.
The discussions on this forum were very helpful and there is another website "cardiac athletes" who have a good Facebook forum, although I'm not sure if they can help with DOMS. There address is cardiacathletes.com/
Good luck, and I would be interested to hear how you get on with the mental side of recovering from your heart attack.
Ive just had a by pass cabg and literally done nothing other than walk foor 7 weeks as a landscape gardener active all the while just done my first cardio rehab and im aching everywhere and i keep thinking im hurting because of my by pass and i know its the workout its mad how your mind rea cts
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Exercise post HA (four years ago)
Mental State post HA
Am I falling to pieces? Lol
45 HA and Stent Fitted
