Hi all. I'm 68, and just been diagnosed with ischaemic heart disease, so have had statin dose doubled (simvastatin 80mg), aspirin dose doubled (75mg), and that's about it. I don't have any obstruction, but do have build up of plaque. Doctor says serious but not critical, which obviously immediately made me think 'critical'.
I'm already vegetarian, don't drink or smoke, probably eat too much cheese, although have cut down considerably over the last six months or so, need to lose the two stone I put on after I had my gallbladder removed, and need to get a bit fitter.
I am pretty scared, to be honest. I used to be superfit, but obviously I'm not any more. I have problems with my left shoulder, so swimming is really difficult at the moment, and arthritis in my left knee which makes walking any distance a bit painful.
Would be really grateful for any advice for weight loss/fitness/emotional support. My husband has stage 4 prostate cancer, which we've only just got our heads around. It seems like everything's falling apart at the same time. I am already registered on the BHF website and have downloaded a few booklets.
Thank you to anyone who replies to me.
Written by
Nelly56
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In a way you are fortunate to get the diagnosis now. My diagnosis was after a heart attack. You now have a chance to manage this condition. Hopefully, a few pills every day and your life will carry on as before. Try and not stress about it, it is what it is.
as far as fitness goes, you might find the website of the charity Versus Arthritis helpful. That’s the website recommended to me by an arthritis specialist.
You know this already, but you need to keep yourself healthy in order to support both your husband and the wider family. You need to keep well hydrated (not difficult to drink a lot of water in this weather!!) and watch the amount of salt in your diet. I find the website of Blood Pressure UK more helpful than that of BHF in regard to diet.
When I had cancer I found it very helpful to be open with family and friends. Personally when I was down I felt others were supporting me with their prayers and good wishes. I think MacMillan may give advice about emotional support of their website.
you’ve said what you can’t do turn it around and look for what you can do. I mix up what type of exercise I do. And change it if needed- depending on which part of me is playing up. I do badminton- I have a problem shoulder. I swim but mix up crawl and breast stroke, I do Pilates- I’ve degenerative arthritis in lower back and scoliosis ohhh and neck, I walk a bit. I do aqua fitness. At times I’ll do a bit at the gym again changing it around depending on what part of me is complaining . At present I’m going to a gym session with my daughter who’s pregnant it’s for her ( I’m sharing the cost) and is exercising for pregnancy 😂😂😂 ( I’m 62) so isn’t intense but is strength based. We adapt stuff for me around my body issues.
More recently I see a physiotherapist once a month ( she sometimes does acupuncture as well), for pain management to keep me moving and motivated as I’ve recently had an ilio tibial band problem.
The key is in those words that you need to lose 2 stone. Would that put you comfortably below a 25bmi or hovering around it?
I don't want to get personal but waist size is also a major factor, the difference between trouser waist size and REAL waist size can be many inches and fat round the belly is especially harmful. Worth measuring.
As for exercise, my main one is walking with hiking poles which gives you an overall work out. Having the support of a pole might help your walking and Nordic walking of this type will mean that short distances are much more effective than long casual meanders.
As for Cheese, there is some debate about whether fat is harmful but in the meantime switching to a stronger cheese will mean you will need less of it!
As for arthritis we had an interesting thread about ectopics recently and music/sound was said to help it. I will dig out the thread and post it later as currently need to finish off some outside painting and go for my walk before it gets too hot
Firstly I'm sorry that you and husband are facing such health difficulties- and I pray for your healing. You sound very healthy with no smoking and drinking, singing is a good cardio exercise believe it or not and that's always fun and cheers me up - emotional support this group is very good for but everybody here will share your concerns, questions and fears. The comment below is quite right yours was found before leading to a heart attack which is great because knowledge is power and what we know we can work with. Nice weather for some strolls - my left shoulder is also a problem and like u I have ischemia. Its so hard to accept our new limits - but it will soon become your normal - just means a little more self care and listening to our body's, which we all forget to do while looking after others - I hope u have a support network- you and husband will need to let people help you and slow down a little- we all forget to lean on hour people- I hope you manage to find a good balance and I hope u manage to find somebody that reassure you and help with your new health changes. Healing energies to you and your husband
you mention pain on your shoulder - has this been diagnosed as joint or muscular pain? I ask because I feel it is important to be sure that this is not heart-related
angina, the pain caused by reduced blood flow through the heart muscle, can show up as shoulder, neck, arm, jaw and/or stomach pain
no need to reply but if you are not sure please check
Thank you. Yes, it's been diagnosed as rotator cuff problems. I'm having physio for it, but it's taking a loooong time to heal, although it is better than it was. I can pick up the kettle now!
Look into remnant cholesterol. That seems the dangerous portion of the LDL. Learned that from Dr Lustig. youtu.be/aIOPCiBJDSs. Does anyone that knows more refute this?? I am but an acolyte.
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