Article update:  I went to my first “Silver Sneakers” session today.  It kicked my ass – in a good way!

Happy Valentine’s Day!

 

 

 

 

A couple years ago, I wrote this article for February is Heart Month https://grammyslittlehelpers.com/2019/02/21/february-is-heart-health-month-2/.

I had had a mitral valve prolapse all my life, which is actually pretty common.   https://pages.clevelandclinic.org/heart-surgery-index-7.html?utm_source=google_ppc&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Heart%20-%20Valve

Well that had me having to see a cardiologist on a regular annual check up basis.  I didn’t have any symptoms like pain in my chest or shortness of breath, but my dad died of a sudden massive heart attack and that always stays in the back of my mind.  My cardiologist encouraged me for years to have surgery to “repair” the valve, so last September, after doing terrible on a stress test, I finally agreed.  Apparently, I was having shortness of breath.  I just thought that having to sit down after coming up the basement stairs was just part of getting old.  My husband, who had an aortic aneurysm 18 years ago, did much much better on the stress test and his heart was in better shape than mine!

Now, if you’re a heart patient, your doctor has already told you all this stuff, but if you’re not, these little helpers may prevent you from having surgery in the future.  For example, every knows that diet and exercise will lead to better health.  If I had simply walked around my neighborhood more and ate healthier, my heart probably would have been stronger.  Currently, I’m going to Beaumont Cardiac Rehabilitation.  What I especially like about it is that I wear a heart monitor while I’m exercising.  Sometimes I’ll wonder to myself if my heart is beating right or if I have some kind of “feeling” in my heart or if I’m just imagining it all.  As long as the cardiac nurses are monitoring me, I know those “feelings” are normal.

Right now, my rehab program is focusing on exercise and diet.  Well conveniently, that should fit right along in my New Year’s Resolution to eat healthier and lose weight right?  Well, I’m not losing weight!  I’m not gaining any, but I’m not losing any either.  I have to keep trying and trying harder.  Here are a few little helpers that even I, an individual with little will – power can handle.

Exercise

There are four kinds of exercise I should be doing.

•   Aerobics  At rehab, I spend 25 minutes on a seated  elliptical machine and another 25 minutes on a treadmill.  Even though, this tires me out – I can do it!  I don’t think I would have made it five minutes before the surgery.
• Stretching   I do some big stretches before I get out of bed in the morning – my bed is much softer than the floor and doesn’t make my back hurt!  There are also a variety of stretches to do with those rubber tube (I have to find out what those are actually called, anybody know?)
• Low impact weight lifting    I don’t have any weights.  Use milk gallon full of water (or milk) and just flex your elbows holding cans of food for now (remember I’m on the “light” program).  Rubber tubes like these can also help with stretching and building muscles.

• Okay, I saved the best for last – WALK!  If I had gone for a simple walk around the block every day, I wouldn’t be in this mess in the first place.  Here’s my favorite excuse – It’s COLD outside.  My cardiologist told me to walk around the mall.  Then, my husband brought home a flyer from the Senior Center for “Silver Sneakers.”  “Silver Sneakers” includes all of these categories.  I hope there is still room for me to sign up.  It’s for old people like me and it’s INSIDE!!!!  Some Medicare plans cover the cost, but if yours doesn’t it’s only $3 per session. There go all my excuses out the window!  Walking reduces blood pressure, lowers cholesterol and makes your heart muscle stronger.  Need more reasons to walk?  Click here https://bikewalkwichita.org/how-to-start/100-benefits-of-walking/

Diet

“After Heart Surgery Diet” coming soon.  In the meantime:

• Cut down on red meats and eat more turkey, chicken and fish – I don’t like fish – I like bacon.
• Cut down or eliminate salt as much as possible.
• Drink 2 – 3 glasses of water a day.

Look for my full article on “after heart surgery diet” coming up.  In the meantime, keep on trying and have a grand day!

More Little Helpers

https://www.silversneakers.com/blog/best-exercise-older-adults/

https://www.silversneakers.com/blog/the-best-cardio-advice-youre-not-taking/

http://washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/drinking-red-wine-is-good-for-you–or-maybe-not/2017/12/01

https://www.heart.org/en/search?searchText=exercises#q=exercises&sort=relevancy

https://advisor.lwwhealthlibrary.com/solr/searchresults.aspx?q=heart+exercises&restypeid=1&page=1

Thank you “Little Helpers” Donna, Brianne and Cindy!