Rehab - Lesson 14 and Discharge...

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Well, it is over a week since my last rehab session.  Jogged fo 2 minutes, HR 90 bpm, BP 107/70 mmHg.  Completed the program with a formal assessment which saw me reach the last two stages of the 'shuttle walk test' when I had had enough.  The education session was on coronary artery disease.

That same afternoon I was set for an echocardiogram and treadmill test.  Unfortunately, the scan revealed a functional pulmonary stenosis due a solid/cystic mass in the pericardial sac which created a 30 mmHg in the Right Ventricular Outflow tract (RVOT). My treadmill test was abandoned!  Two days later I had a cardiac MRI scan - the result was only teleophoned to me on Boxing Day: it looked like a blood clot which should disperse in time; no need for exploratory surgery at the moment.

Good news, but I am still left with a functional pulmonary stenosis which does put strain on my heart and has me worried about the exercise program I have planned in Phase IV at my local gym.

Meanwhile, I am recovering from a nasty chesty cough illness which has all but ruined the Xmas period.

Rehab - Lesson 13

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Well, the penultimate class. A milestone was jogging around the room for 2 minutes. Resting heart rate 81 bpm, BP 104/74 mmHg. Peak HR 156. Amiodarone stopped 3 days ago. Education session was 'Healthy eating part 1: portions and message not to overeat. Some good recipes handed out too. British Dietic Association has a template for a food diary here: Weight Wise template

Feeling sad that the classes are almost over: have enjoyed going to them.

Rehab - Week 6

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Well. this week has been eventful: more weights (2kg) and more intense exercise (2 minutes per station).  Resting heart as low as 72 bpm.  BP 114/70 mmHg.  Education sessions on relaxtion and change management.  Both very good and am implementing some of the ideas.

Rehab - Lesson 9 & 10

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Monday's education session was on stress.  Not surprisingly I learned that I have a Type A personality.  After reviewung the lecture it is clear I am suffering with significant stress, if not full blown anxiety state.  Sobering!   What will be difficult is attempting to change many of my automatic thoughts.

Exercise class was good although my peak HR reached 160 bpm (no verapamil for several days).   In contrast, today's class was at least as intensive while my peak HR rose to 156 bpm.

Today's education session was on risk factors which was good revision.

Resting HR 85 bpm, BP 106/70.

Rehab - Week 4: lessons 7 & 8

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An eventful week: I was promoted to level III of the rehab program on Wednesday.  This allowed me an opportunity to jog for 90 seconds.  The effort (HR peaking at 152) was worth it because my muscles felt very good nearly running for a susatained period for the first time since the heart attack.   Resting HR 81, BP 116/72.

Yesterday, heart specialist checked me over - to stop one of my drugs (verapamil) which is great because it has been awkward takin ga medicine three times a day, and I have finally been give tne go ahead to start cholesterol lowering drugs [for me this will be atorvastatin, and if my liver copes, ezetimibe).

Education sessions this week were SEX and CPR, and a QUIZ on the rehabilitation programme.

Rehab - Lesson 6

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Today started well - resting HR 79 bpm and BP 99/70 mmHg.  The education session manifested as a 'diet quiz' which was a nifty way to engage with the group.  It certainly had us talking a bit and cracking a few jokes.

Exercise class routine was the same as the last one; I did try and slow down a bot and was rewarded with a peak HR of .... 157 bpm!  With a resting level so low it was some time before I was allowed home.  For interest my post exercise BP was measured: 119/68 mmHg.  This was accompanied by HR 100 bpm.

To complete the day I went to the Dentist for a checkup - it is just over 2 years since last visit and my teeth remain in good shape with minimal tartar - a relief!!   The cost for the check up for the record was £60.00.

Rehab - Lesson 5

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Well, yesterday's education was on Medicine and the Heart - it was soon apparent to everyone that there was a doctor in their midst (i.e. your truly).  However, rather than feel threatened we had what a think was an enjoyable session.  I felt a little sorry for the nurse presenting the talk.  It is a sad fact that the slides she was speaking to were somewhat out of date and failed to include some important adverse effects of some of the cardiovascular drugs.

I was encouraged to slow down in the the exercise session.  However, I did jog more during the walking stage!  This was reflected in the improved peak HR (148 bpm) and relaxed HR prior to meditation (125 bpm). Resting HR on arrival was 84 bpm and BP 113/71 mmHg

Rehab - Lesson 4

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Well, yesterday's education session was helpful.  It has encouraged me to monitor more closely my food intake and its nutritional value.   I wonder how long I will be able to manage this.

Exercise session was great with my BP 126/70, and peak HR 150 relaxing to 95 bpm.  I jogged for a few yards for the first time since the MI and also did 10 star jumps to the consternation of supervisors.

Rehab - Lesson 3

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Promoted to 'BLUE GROUP' for today's session, and so it was a more intensive workout. Felt good afterwards!!

Four new members for the class today - 2 of whom seem near to my age.  One lady who was missing last week knows me.  Coincidentally she had her PTCA and 2 stents [i.e. angioplasty] at the same institution as me on the same afternoon of my second arteriogram.

The education session focussed on 'Exercise: how much, benefits and maitaining the program after the course finishes.

Rehab - Lesson 2

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Investigations & Procedures was the topic in today's education class.  This proved a catalyst for the members of the group to speak about their own experience.  We felt closer to each other by the end of the session.

Exercise session went well today:  used weights for the upper limb stuff with relative ease.  HR peaked at 150, and today's resting BP 114/68 (Left arm) and 128/80 (Right arm).   Expect to be promoted to 'blue' group next week.   I hope to be jogginng a little next week!

Rehab - Lesson 1

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Today it is 7 weeks since my heart attack and 45 days since my bypass surgery.  My first rehabilitation class was not as daunting as I had persuaded myself.   The education session on 'fats in our diet' was very well done.   The following exercise class was not too strenuous, but my HR peaked at 150.  After the cool down and relaxation the HR had fallen back to what is my new resting rate of aroun 100 bpm.

Anniversary

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This is an opportunity to reflect. It is 6 weeks to the day that my chest was cracked open and a quadruple bypass was completed. How am I doing? Well. my chest still hurts like hell from time to time but otherwise progress is good. My family have been a great support. No work until January 2008 is marvellous.

I am a 44 year old GP in UK and this is all a great shock. The formal cardiac rehabilitation starts next week. This journal will record the rehabilitation progress.