Just a bit of advice please

[MattyT189219]

About a year ago I was diagnosed with COPD at the young-ish age of 43. After a recent hospital admission an CT , ultrasound etc it turns out I also have angina and calcification of 2 of my arteries. Although it is all manageable at the moment with medication I'm just flying a bit blind in terms of exercise etc . I've always been very active although I did smoke for a long time but I'm now worried about what exercise I should of shouldn't be doing and I need to be exercising for lung heath related to COPD but also don't want to over do it with my heart.

[Lowerfield_no_more]

In addition to taking medication there are several lifestyle measures that are recommended to reduce heart health risk, including diet, body weight management, alcohol, smoking and importantly exercise. The BHF webpages cover these and I have linked below the exercise pages. In your case as you have lung disease and angina, and even though you are relatively young, I guess you are limited to regular steady exercise rather than building up to strenuous activities like running. So I suggest you start with trying to find the time to go walking each day and build up from there perhaps including gentle swimming. But above all listen to your body and push to a limit where you find you are not comfortable then wind back a little. Only you will identify your limits so no-one on here can really tell you what to do, only what they have achieved which will be likely different from your circumstances. But above all make sure you keep going.

bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...

PS I have mild asthma and my asthma nurse tells me I also have a little COPD. One of the best things to help my lung function in the last few years is to restart playing saxophone which has noticeably improved my lung function, which the nurse confirmed had happened to others who played a wind instrument that she deals with. So if you are musically inclined and have the time (to practice) you could give that a thought too.

[MattyT189219 in reply to Lowerfield_no_more]

Thanks for the reply Lowerfield_no_more . I have not trouble walking and do at least 5k each day, it's more building up to what I used to do before , I suppose I'm a bit scared of pushing to hard to quickly but then worry my lung health will deteriorate quicker with regards to the COPD. I have built a vase to start light circuit training again so will see how that goes. I understand medium to heavy wright training is out tge question (not that I did tge heavy much ) and my days of long distance cycling are probably in the past . I have quit smoking for over a year bit rid have a relapse onto the vape a couple of months back so I'm back on tge nicotine gum to try and eradicate that again. I don't really drink much any more and have always had a good diet. I'm only 177cm amd 76 kg which is about average weight , BMI etc but like the consultant said my organs aren't naturally the biggest .

[Lowerfield_no_more in reply to MattyT189219]

Sounds to me you are already doing the right things 👍

[Skiffrower]

See if you can get a referral to cardio rehab. I found their support gave me confidence in what I can and cannot do and taught me to recognise when my heart rate was getting too high. It's a bit of a wait getting in the system .

[Murderfan58]

Sorry you have this diagnosis so young but at least you know and by knowing you can cope . Plus treatments are better than they where.

My brother will be 65 this year he has permanent AF,2 stents in his heart,1 in his brain after having a bleed on the brain years ago when a piece of metal work hit him on the head,2 TIA's ,new hip . He was a heavy smoker until he was diagnosed with AF and stopped smoking 20 years ago . For the last 15 years he has swam as he finds it the best exercise for him as it works every part of your body without straining anything .

They moved to a lovely bungalow in a village nearly 5 years ago he swims every morning for a hour doing lengths at 6.30am. He walks min of 10,000 steps a day has an allotment where he grows veg . They have a large garden but wanted to keep it as a garden . Plus he has started to use weights at home this year . He looks after my lovely sister in law who had MS and her dad lives with them he will be 94 this year and has had COPD for 40 years . He walks min 10,000 steps a day.

I am 66 and have PAF ,was born with a small hole in the side of my heart only found that out in 2020/2021. And finally had my diagnosis of what neurological condition I was born with in 2022and it's rare hereditary Hyperekplexia gene mutation SLC6A5 type 3. Recently been in hospital for a week spilt over 2 hospitals. After thinking it was heart attack due to cardiac enzyme blood test the T level was 170 can't think how to spell the word. After angiography only slight further furring in my right artery and didn't need a stent . They think I had a TIA so waiting for appointment to see stroke neurologist.

I go to a sit fit class of a Monday afternoon and move it or lose it class Tuesday morning plus do 7 exercises everyday at home and 300 rotations on my static pedals.

Swimming may suit you as it works all your muscles but the water protects you from straining anything . As a young man I don't know what else to suggest but there may be groups near to you that do classes or activities you might enjoy . Anyway no doubt people here will beable to suggest more things to you .

But I wish you a long and healthy life . 🤸