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Staying healthy physically (and mentally) post heart attack
Hi there, I just now joined your group and after reading a few of the posts, I am glad to be here with so many informed folks. I'm not sure how to start other than to give a brief story of my heart. Back in 5/14 after finishing my workout I went home for a late lunch which I've done for years. After getting cleaned up I sat down to lunch and conversation with my wife of 38 years. I began noticing a faintness and then a pain that began in my left arm and then moved into my chest. Immediately sat down and told my wife what was going on and as much as we were surprised especially because I had not had any symptoms till then. We jumped in the car & headed for the ER a 20 min. ride from our home. There was no question in my mind that I was experiencing a HA, but I was in a lot of pain. Although it took more than 2 hrs. for the ER to determine I was having a HA, fortunately after several tests they brought in a Echo cardiogram tech and halfway through the procedure he left and returned with the Cardiologist. From that point things ramped up big time and after 4 hrs. of coming in I was rolled into Cath lab and received a stent. I survived a "Widow Maker" that was caused by my LAD being 100% blocked. I was released within a day and began there Cardio Rehab program which although I felt out of place with many that had never used a treadmill or elliptical, this was really a great time not only meeting others that had recently gone through HA, but it helped me tremendously regain confidence working out and being monitored. It's been nearly 2 yrs. ago now and I have gone back to the gym after graduating from cardio rehab and I am doing well. My biggest let down was after a year of working hard with exercise, weight control and diet my next echo showed no signs of improvement. I am on 2.5 mg of lisinopril, 50 mg of metoprolol, 80 mg of atorvastatin & a 81 mg of aspirin. I never realized how mental this whole thing could be? Even with the efforts of all that I mentioned it seems like I am "damaged goods". I'm working hard to get past this and live my life with thankfulness every day.
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Cynaburst, Although each of us have a tough story to tell and because we are still climbing a mountain or walking through a valley each day, I am humbled reading your posts and the several others because they make me feel that I am very fortunate. I did receive a stent and after a year was taken off Plavix a year later.
I am working out 3x a week doing approx. 55 min. of cardio and 25 min. of weight training.
I was placed on 80 Mg of Atorvastin and have been having issues with numbness in my legs & feet if I walk much more than a mile or if I'm just standing still for prolonged periods. I've have been through several different tests to determine what the source of this problem might be and all have come up negative.
I began thinking that it was the statin drug and so I contacted both my regular doctor and my cardiologist about this. I'm somewhat convinced that it may be the statin, but both don't agree but are willing to have me go off it for several weeks and see if my symptoms dissipate. I am in the midst of this at the moment and will report back.
I want to encourage your husband to become comfortable in trusting the staff at cardio rehab and when he feels more comfortable to begin pushing himself a little more each week. Simple things like adding a few extra minutes to the treadmill or elliptical or another set of 12 for other weights will add to his confidence. This will be key after he graduates from cardio rehab and hopefully moves to a local gym that he can continue getting stronger and more & more confidence. I am fortunate in that the gym I was working out at for a number of years prior to my HA is a place called Fitness over Fifty and so the make up is older adults pursuing some level of fitness. It is a very encouraging place to work out for me. Be well!
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1 Reaction@joem, Thank you for your encouraging words and story. I too want to drop about 15 lbs.! We just returned from a 10 day vacation so I didn't help myself in that area of weight loss. I am still working and so I have found that adding my workout times in my planner is no different than another scheduled appt.
I agree with you about the hobby. I am currently trying to ease into retirement and it not near as easy as I had thought. I know I will get there soon and I am trying not to stress over the time frame. My hope will be to volunteer in different capacities which is something I look forward having time to give back.
As men we often think that unless we are in a gym pumping weights or whatever we are not really exercising, but that is such a farce. Start slow with just walking and work your way up to a mile or so. Besides the exercise you get you will be surprised of the things you miss by driving by them. Smell-the-flowers!
Good evening @thankful
Your statement of "damaged goods" really made me stop and think. I just had my 8-year anniversary of receiving my stent at 46. To be very truthful, there are some days that I feel "depressed" with the things I have gone through, but then I stop myself from thinking this way and look at the positive. I have had eight more blessed years with my boys and my family and my friends. I don't think anybody after having an event such as you have had, myself, or anyone else has had that we ever will not have these feelings. I believe they are meant to come into our thoughts occasionally so we actually remember how blessed we are. So from one "damaged goods" to another.....stay strong!! Work through those feelings but don't stay there too long.....Take that deep breath and say "I am alive."
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1 Reaction@HeartPatches,
Thanks so much for your encouraging words this afternoon!
I will celebrating 2 years from my HA on the 12th of this month and will toast you as well.
I truly do feel blessed to be here and just this past weekend my youngest daughter & son-in-law shared there good news of being 12 weeks pregnant. Our oldest daughter has 3 boys and this though caught us off guard because of the path they were on we did not think this would happen for at least a year or more. It really was a special early Mothers Day for my wife.
I do feel that the good Lord spared me for a reason and I am on a new journey to hopefully discover what that is for me.
My cardiologist told me the next day after my HA that there were not many that could survive a “Window Maker” as I did with 100% blockage so as I said, I am truly blessed.
Thankful for so much!
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1 ReactionGreetings to all. First of all I want to wish all a Happy Mother’s Day observance.
I joined this group because I am convinced that a "team" approach to our conditions will greatly improve our individual health with everyone’s input. We can input on themes of stress management, exercise, food management, medications etc, following the doctor’s orders. Tks.Joe
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2 ReactionsI 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.
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3 Reactions@hals Now that's advice to live by! To have one heart attack is tough, but get another a year later must've been a heavy mental blow. Really glad you're here to tell us this story.
@joem - I like your thinking around the team approach. How are you managing stress these days?
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1 ReactionI have just been diagnosed with coronary disease. What should I do to improve lifestyle?
Hi @sharlane, I'm glad you found us. I moved your message to this thread called "Staying healthy physically (and mentally) post heart attack" so you could meet fellow members. Welcome to the Healthy Heart support group.
Like @joem, it's a team "sport" and we're here to support you in your lifestyle changes. There many suggestions made on this discussion thread started by @gramps64 "How do I begin living a healthy lifestyle to benefit my heart?" https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/this-is-now-the-second-time-in-the-past-3-12-years/
I'm sure @hals @thankful @cynaburst and @HeartPatches will join me in welcoming you.
Sharlene: What's the 1 thing you're going to do today to improve your lifestyle? For me - I had a salad for lunch and now I'm going for a walk with a friend before the sun hides behind the clouds.
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1 ReactionSite doesn't like my log in info. I had trouble yesterday. I'm sick of<br>trying. Thanks for message, Colleen.<br><br>