heart

[DCagle]

Adding another vote for supervised cardiac rehab. November 23, 2021 survived a heart attack via emergency catheterization and stented left anterior descending coronary artery (aka "the widow maker") at age 54. Resting heart function reduced 20+ percent following surgery. Follow up test at 45 days post surgery indicated resting heart function fully recovered, but something didn't feel right when exercising. Doctor prescribed supervised cardiac rehab. On the first visit, I was diagnosed with pre-ventricular contractions (PVCs) during exercise (which explained why things didn't feel right). Sent to a specialist who took a wait-and-see approach, since the issue only occurred during exercise. Lucky, within 90 days, the PVCs went away as the heart rewired itself naturally.

I skied 10+ days that first season (without asking for permission or telling the doc) but never felt 100%. Was skiing back to normal this past season and having some of the best powder days of my life. Yes, I was fortunate to not require more invasive procedures which would have required a more lengthy recovery. I was also lucky to survive a "widow maker" cardiac event, unlike my maternal grandfather and uncle. However, it doesn't change my appreciation of the doctors, nurses, and their advice. Things will improve if you work hard and follow orders. And, congratulations to all the other survivors in this thread for still being here. The alternative is never acceptable.

 

[DerKommissar]

Adding another vote for supervised cardiac rehab. November 23, 2021 survived a heart attack via emergency catheterization and stented left anterior descending coronary artery (aka "the widow maker") at age 54. Resting heart function reduced 20+ percent following surgery. Follow up test at 45 days post surgery indicated resting heart function fully recovered, but something didn't feel right when exercising. Doctor prescribed supervised cardiac rehab. On the first visit, I was diagnosed with pre-ventricular contractions (PVCs) during exercise (which explained why things didn't feel right). Sent to a specialist who took a wait-and-see approach, since the issue only occurred during exercise. Lucky, within 90 days, the PVCs went away as the heart rewired itself naturally.

I skied 10+ days that first season (without asking for permission or telling the doc) but never felt 100%. Was skiing back to normal this past season and having some of the best powder days of my life. Yes, I was fortunate to not require more invasive procedures which would have required a more lengthy recovery. I was also lucky to survive a "widow maker" cardiac event, unlike my maternal grandfather and uncle. However, it doesn't change my appreciation of the doctors, nurses, and their advice. Things will improve if you work hard and follow orders. And, congratulations to all the other survivors in this thread for still being here. The alternative is never acceptable.

It's kind of crazy to see so many survivors here. I'm glad to see others recovering and getting back to their passions.

 

[no edge]

Registered for cardiac rehab and I am going to my first session today. I have been walking about one mile per day. I can move right along but I feel it the next day. Treadmill is the go-to at the "box". I have been known to fall off from time to time. Other than that I intend to be the best one. I want to ski well this season!

 

[crgildart]

This is an opportunity to fine tune a workout regiment that helps your skiing improve. You'll still remember what to do when you get out there.. Get your body ready sioit DOES IT.

 

[no edge]

Well, it was rather difficult. It was mostly exercises that I don't do. They took my bp many times. My heart rate was 80 to 82 (my pacemaker is set at 80). They directed me to drink water.

I am beat.

 

[Bad Bob]

Well, it was rather difficult. It was mostly exercises that I don't do. They took my bp many times. My heart rate was 80 to 82 (my pacemaker is set at 80). They directed me to drink water.

I am beat.

It does get easier. I am 2 months into cardi therapy 3 sessions a week. Started out like you are talking about and it has gotten better every week. Stick with it and push yourself moderately; not so it hurts, just so you get to a 3 or 4 on their chart and extend your efforts as you are good with it.
You can do it, yes you can!

 

[tball]

June 1st was the one-year anniversary of my open heart surgery to install a mechanical aortic valve. I'm happy to report I'm doing well!

I'm still not where I'd like to be with my fitness (or weight) after 18 months of reduced activity, but my heart shouldn't keep me from getting there. Earlier this week, I went for a 5.4 mile run/walk at altitude from 9600 feet up to 10,000 feet.

This is the wonderful new rec path from Copper heading up to Leadville. It opened last summer, but I was in no condition to enjoy it!

That's through the avalanche debris of the Y in the SKY chutes that slid big a few years back.

Here's my heart rate vs. altitude for the run/walk:

Note all the walking and picture breaks where my heart rate drops. The great thing is my heart could have kept going without the breaks. My old man joints and tendons are not in running shape yet.

Edit: I should add that 30+ cardiac rehab sessions were key to getting me back to where I could do that!

 

[no edge]

Installing a new valve! That's amazing. Sounds like you are doing well and you know it.

 

[no edge]

Today was my second day. I did a good job doing the workout, but it crushed me. Keep in mind the exercises are designed for older people who are out of shape. Everyone was taking the work out seriously, I was too, but I backed off a bit to keep intensity a bit lower.

I now understand that I have a long ways to go.

 

[Bad Bob]

Today was my second day. I did a good job doing the workout, but it crushed me. Keep in mind the exercises are designed for older people who are out of shape. Everyone was taking the work out seriously, I was too, but I backed off a bit to keep intensity a bit lower.

I now understand that I have a long ways to go.

And that is where you start.
Work just a little harder every session. There will be days when that is not possible and that is okay too. (Today was one of those days days, my knee wasin wicked pain so down 4% of grade and2 resistance levels; but will get it back Wednesday. )

 

[no edge]

So tired and sore the next day. Keep going!

 

[tball]

@Bad Bob and @no edge, how are your recoveries coming along? I hope all is going well!

 

[Bad Bob]

Life is pretty good. Riding bike pretty much daily. Doing the lawn, but it cooked out pretty badly (thank you city utilities for breaking the sprinkler system ).

No serious ambition to go back to work on a regular basis. Going to blame that on the surgery.
Feel a lot healthier than a year ago.

 

[Tricia]

Life is pretty good. Riding bike pretty much daily. Doing the lawn, but it cooked out pretty badly (thank you city utilities for breaking the sprinkler system ).

No serious ambition to go back to work on a regular basis. Going to blame that on the surgery.
Feel a lot healthier than a year ago.

 

[no edge]

Three and a half months and conditioning is going well I think. I go three times a week and have not missed a day. The group that I train with feels like a team. Everyone works hard... even me.

We did have a member "go down". He was the most fit person in the group, and 47 years old. It was very serious - code blue. He made it but he has a long recovery.

My balance is really bad to the point where skiing would be out of the question. I fell yesterday, down a steep but short hill. I could not believe it. It could be the drugs in which case it may improve over time and with the sight of snow.

I want to get going on legs and posterior chain. Upper body is not ready. My wife is going to put me in Silver Slippers (sneakers).

 

[Jerez]

Good work!

Sounds like you have come a really long way. Hopefully the progress will get faster poco a poco.

 

[Paul Lutes]

......

My balance is really bad to the point where skiing would be out of the question. I fell yesterday, down a steep but short hill. I could not believe it. It could be the drugs in which case it may improve over time and with the sight of snow.

You might be surprised at how good (relatively) your balance is on snow. While I'm not in major re-hab, I've definitely begun to notice a balance decline in my mid-70s, but actually feel better moving on snow than walking/standing. Not entirely sure why, but not going to question!

 

[Rod9301]

Balance can be quickly trained to improve. Stand on your foot while rotating your head around, looking left right up and down, two cycles on each leg.

Then stand on one leg for 30-60 seconds.

After a week or two, progress to standing in one leg for 39 seconds, eyes closed.

You'll be surprised how quickly you will improve. But initially it will feel very hard, don't give up.

 

[no edge]

I have always had weak balance. However on skis I have good balance. The fall I took yesterday was pretty bad and it was all about balance. Recovery will hopefully improve it.

 

[no edge]

Balance can be quickly trained to improve. Stand on your foot while rotating your head around, looking left right up and down, two cycles on each leg.

Then stand on one leg for 30-60 seconds.

After a week or two, progress to standing in one leg for 39 seconds, eyes closed.

You'll be surprised how quickly you will improve. But initially it will feel very hard, don't give up.

I will try it. I am presently taking Doxycycline. See what happens when it is done.