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Staying healthy physically (and mentally) post heart attack
Heart & Blood Health | Last Active: Mar 15, 2018 | Replies (56)Comment receiving replies
I also went through this mental stage, which I am sure is fairly common. At age 52 I had a heart attack and triple bypass surgery. I never smoked; ran half marathons; biked 30 miles regularly; not overweight, etc. Went through cardiac rehab and at age 53 I had another heart attack. Talk about thinking I was damaged goods. In my depressed mood my brother gave me some good advice. I could live the rest of what might be a short life feeling sorry for myself or I could play the cards that were dealt to me. Once I accepted that attitude, I am now 76 years old and, for the most part, do anything I want to. I exercise on an elliptical machine 30 minutes daily and then walk for another 15 minutes at our recreation center when the weather keeps me inside. On days I can get outside, I bike from six to ten miles on bike trails. I also play golf two to three times a week.
The point is, I went from thinking I wouldn't see my son graduate from high school to seeing him graduate from college with advanced degrees, marry, and now seeing my grandchildren in high school and younger. Could I die any day? Yes, but that has been true since age 52. I could have wasted a lot of years feeling sorry for myself, but I refused to do that. Life is what you make of it. Good luck.
Replies to "I also went through this mental stage, which I am sure is fairly common. At age..."
Hals. your two times up to bat (52 & 53) with the bases loaded , you hit it out of the park with your attitude! My father died at age 52 after having a series of heart attacks. His first one at age 40. He had a type A personality, was physically fit, not overweight but he smoked and had high blood pressure. You can die of anything! One thing he had , he never felt sorry for himself and he played his cards. I agree 100% with you on your attitude. In my case , yes I have stress, I had high cholesterol and blood pressure, that is controlled by Crestor 20mg and Irbersartan 300mg and a aspirin 325mg. Every time I go see my cardiologist ( every six months) my BP goes up 140/90 otherwise it is generally less than 120/80 I would say 90% of the time . I am 63 right now. I have gotten depressed , I don't take nothing for that except playing 70's music and having a glass of red wine (tempranillo) every now and then, but as you say I try to write a new page every day. Right now I am 20 lbs overweight even though I do not look it. I am working on that , but will not let that make me lose my sleep.
@hals
The experience that we have such as yours and mine really make us look at why we are here and how we decide to pursue our dreams and I have been getting better at the saying "if this does not happen or I don't do this now....is it worth stressing.." as my dad used to say to me "don't sweat the small stuff." Finally after so much time has passed, I can actually look at situations in this way now.
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Good for you! Your story is inspiring.