Thank you all for your posts and sharing so much useful information. I have been quietly reading, whilst I try to adjust and come to terms with my new situation.
I had a STEMI in Nov 23 - a full blue light experience, with one stent being fitted. This was followed by a pressure test in January. Preceding this my Mum, whom I cared for, died in the Jun and I started the year in ICU with respiratory failure due to pneumonia. I think I would sum up 2023 as my “annus horribilis”, as the late Queen would say.
I am eternally grateful to the NHS for the exceptional treatment and care I have received, without which I wouldn’t be here. The NHS saved my life twice last year.
I’m trying to come to terms with the new me, with a carrier bag of medication. I have been diagnosed with heart failure. I was previously slightly overweight, reasonably fit (swimming several times a week) and ate healthily. I don’t smoke or drink, so the HA was a real surprise. I’m no longer overweight, but have tipped into pre-diabetic, I believe due to the statins, as my chocolate consumption is now zero and I rarely indulge in cake or biscuits.
I have become a bit obsessive on what I should and shouldn’t eat, as well as how much exercise I am doing. I’m doing some swimming but mainly walking. I am struggling to adjust to having days when I’m wiped out and days I can do things. Does this sound familiar to anyone? Any tips on finding a way forward?
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Gruff3
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Heart failure might not mean anything seriously untoward.
Pre diabetes is a fairly new notion. I am on the course and I have learnt that porridge is a good breakfast ! I am losing just one old pound a week. I will soon be in the green zone BMi.
Walking is a sufficient exercise.
2024 is going to be a big improvement on 2023. Then 2025 abig improvement on 2024.
I have never eaten breakfast, but have to now, to take some of my meds. I've started having warm organic porridge oats (Aldi), with fresh raspberries. Highly recommended. It's delicious!
I have Scot’s porridge oats cooked with water. I do have honey or brown sugar on it. I find I have more energy and no desire for biscuits etc mid morning.
This morning I ordered some Steller stainless saucepans, hence cooking will be even easier. I use a cheap stop watch to split the heating, boiling, resting and simmering stages.
It is now 4 years since I got a new valve fitted. What a success story. Totally mended my heart and the experience with the best of the medical staff was uplifting.
And to complete my happiness we got a little rain overnight. First rain for a month. I live in a very dry part of the uk. My village claims to be the driest spot in England. But then at least three other villages make the same claim.
yes yes and yes. You say about your exercise. It’s a matter of pacing and fitting in some relaxation time as well. I do some form of exercise regularly 6 days a week but it can be exhausting, I mix up the type of exercise so I’m not constantly doing the same thing. Make sure you have some me time and don’t feel guilty about it. There’s a balance to be had, it’s hard not to overdo things some exercise days are slower for example I do Pilates on 1 day. I do length swimming twice a week but another day I’ll do aqua aerobics.
Diet wise 80% good and 20% less so as there’s a balance to be made here as well. I enjoy a bit of cake 🍰. Make sure you have the balance that works for you and that your not too obsessive about one thing or another ( I know that can slip in at times, you have to remember to have a life as well), good luck.
I have HF …and have become obsessive about eating and drinking..to the degree that I lost loads of weight and medics concerned it might be cancer so sent for CT scan.. fortunately nothing found.. apart from kidney stones.. but now more relaxed about eating ..HF specialist nurse suggested treats ..so who am I to disagree. So moderation is key..but I don’t add salt and avoid high salt foods and have minimal alcohol. It’s all a bit of a ***** but lots of medicines hopefully keep us hanging in
Hi Gruff3, are you on any other meds ? My 80mg artovastatin gave me a whole of side effects, fatigue, cognitive impairment, zombie episode drs if feeling totally spaced out , vacant, blood pressure would drop from 125/75 to 100/60 and I feel wiped out for hours ..
Have a chat with the BHF online nurses , they may suggest a way forward 👍🏻
Hi, yes Porridge is lovely. We have organic most supermarkets do it and I make it up the day before with Alpro no sugar milk and add either apple, strawberries, raspberries and walnuts. Overnight oats are soft and really tasty and we love them cold and they are a very healthy start to the day. I’m very careful what I eat so I choose sweet potatoes instead of white because white potatoes turn to carbs in the body and I don’t eat pasta of rice for the same reasons. I try to eat natural/organic food. Whilst on holiday I still choose carefully but it’s more difficult and I treat myself to a sweet if we eat out. As soon as I was given the heart tablets I was called in and given a diabetic check and a machine to check my blood sugars I said how long do I keep this for? She said all the time! I was only verging on pre diabetes! I was then determined to show them I wouldn’t be diabetic! So far so good my number has come down to 39 normal range and I’m determined to keep it there and prove them wrong. I don’t use the little machine they gave me as long as I keep it below pre diabetes I’m ok. Good luck with everything. Walking every day is my exercise and looking after my 94 year old mum and housework. It’s hard work on a low sugar/carb diet so I enjoy my holidays and treat myself. Michael Mosley books are very informative and I highly recommend you read them except I wouldn’t do the fasting diets with a heart problem but just having less food portions at regular meal times. When I have my regular diabetes check up with the nurse now she gives me lots of praise and encouragement. X
I’m sorry you’ve been through this. I’ve had exactly the same as you. Previously fit and active and no indication of any heart problems. I had a heart attack completely out of the blue four weeks ago. I collapsed in A/ E and had CPR and defibrillator Like you I am lucky to be here and extremely grateful to the NHS. I’ve had days when I’m completely exhausted and also worrying about what I’m eating. The emotional impact of it is immense and have moments when i feel really sad and miss my old lifestyle. I ve just started cardio rehab which is helping . So I’m taking each day as it comes and trying to enjoy and appreciate the good points in my day. This site is wonderful and lots of inspirational posts and hope for the future.
Good luck and know we are all with you in this journey 💕
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