Life after a Heart Attack or Heart Surgery | Mental, Emotional & Practical Heart Health Wellness

The Rhythm of Recovery: Why You Feel "Disconnected" After Surgery.  Have you had heart surgery, only to find that while your "plumbing" is mended, your mind feels like it’s still buffering? You’re not alone. Many survivors experience "Pumphead" (Post-Perfusion Syndrome), that strange sense of brain fog, anxiety, or detachment that hits after cardiopulmonary bypass. In...

After a heart event, the emotional storm can be just as taxing as the physical recovery. In this episode, we explore how Reiki , a Japanese energy healing practice, can act as a gentle lifeline to help you reclaim your calm. In this episode, we discuss: The Emotional Aftermath: Dealing with the fear and "body betrayal" that often follows a heart attack. What is Reiki? A simple breakdown...

Have your favourite foods started tasting strange after a heart attack or heart surgery? In this episode, we’re talking about something that doesn’t get discussed nearly enough - changes in taste after a cardiac event. If coffee suddenly tastes disgusting… If chocolate no longer hits the spot… If everything feels metallic, bland or just “off”… You are not imagining it and you are not alone. In thi...

Are you waiting for heart surgery and feeling anxious, overwhelmed, or unsure what to expect? In this episode, I guide you through every stage of preparation – physically, mentally, and practically – so you can enter surgery feeling empowered, supported, and ready for recovery. We cover: How to prepare your body for surgery with nutrition, exercise, and medication tips. Ways to reduce stress and a...

After a heart attack, cardiac arrest, or open heart surgery, something shifts.  Even when your body is healing, your mind can feel on constant alert.  Every twinge feels suspicious. Every flutter feels dangerous.  And beneath it all … there can be a quiet, persistent fear: “What if it happens again?” “What if I die?” In this episode, I’m talking openly about the nagging fear of death that so many...

Today, we explore the powerful intersection of brain science and belief. We dive into the Reticular Activating System (RAS) - the brain’s gatekeeper - and how it filters the world based on what you focus on. By consciously expecting "magic," you program your unconscious mind to find evidence of beauty, opportunity, and joy that you might otherwise miss. Highlights: The RAS Factor: Unders...

Heart disease isn’t just a physical journey - it’s emotional, mental, and sometimes spiritual. In this episode, I’m opening my heart to share something new I’ve been creating: a membership club designed for people living with heart disease or recovering from a cardiac event. I talk honestly about the emotional reality of heart disease, the fear, anxiety, grief, and overwhelm that come with it and...

Have you ever noticed a diagonal crease on your earlobe and wondered if it means something serious? In this episode, we explore Frank’s Crease (also known as Frank’s Sign), the line across the earlobe that some researchers have linked to heart disease. If you’re living with or beyond a heart attack, cardiac surgery, heart failure or a diagnosis that changed everything, it’s so easy for small thing...

Have you ever felt grateful to be alive… and deeply anxious at the same time? Relieved your surgery is over… and frustrated that recovery feels slow? Motivated to change your lifestyle… and grieving your old one? If so, you are not doing recovery wrong. In this episode, we explore the powerful mindset shift of Both/And thinking — a compassionate way of allowing two truths to exist at the same time...

Can You Really Go on Holiday After a Heart Attack or Surgery? Here’s How to Travel Without Worry Planning a holiday after a heart attack, heart surgery, or living with heart disease can feel overwhelming. Should you fly?  Is hot weather dangerous?  What about travel insurance?  What if something happens while you’re away? In this episode, I gently walk you through how to travel safely and confiden...

  The hospital fixed your heart, but who is helping you heal your mind?   After 55 episodes of navigating the emotional, mental, and practical side of heart recovery together, I have some big news to share. As we look toward the future of this community, I want to make sure our "signpost"—the name and look of this show—is as clear and welcoming as possible for the person who needs it mos...

A relaxamation to help you adapt to life’s changes after a heart attack or cardiac surgery.  I will guide you through a gentle journey of relaxation and with the affirmation “I adapt and adjust to what is.” You'll learn how to reduce resistance, find emotional flexibility, and rebuild confidence.  What You’ll Experience: Progressive body relaxation A quiet the mind The affirmation “I adapt an...

End-of-life planning doesn’t have to be scary. In this episode, Sallie Crawley gently guides you through how to plan your care, medical wishes, and farewell in a way that brings clarity, comfort, and peace for both you and your loved ones. Through heartfelt personal stories, practical advice, and compassionate guidance, Sallie shows how even small decisions—from choosing music for a ceremony to wr...

In this episode, I will explain what vasodilators are , the difference between short-acting and long-acting nitrates , and how to use GTN spray and tablets safely . Learn about common side effects, emergency tips, and practical advice for living confidently with angina. Key Points Covered: How vasodilators work to improve blood flow and reduce heart workload Short-acting vs long-acting nitrates St...

Reclaiming Your Life Story: Why “ A Heart Attack” or “ The Heart Attack” Matters More Than “ My Heart Attack”.  The words we use to describe a health event can influence how we cope, heal, and view ourselves. In this episode, I explore why saying “a heart attack” or “the heart attack” instead of “my heart attack” can empower recovery, reduce fear, and help you reclaim your story. You’ll learn prac...

I will guide you through a relaxamation session that supports balanced living and moderation during the festive season. Using gentle relaxation, body awareness, and the affirmation “I trust myself to find balance and moderation”, this session helps people living with cardiac conditions enjoy celebrations with confidence and calm. Not sure what a Relaxamation is? You can find more information here:...

Today, I explore the hidden psychology behind why it can be so difficult to quit smoking after a cardiac event, especially when you’ve tried before. Discover how your brain’s limbic system tricks you into believing you can’t cope without nicotine, and how to rewire that inner dialogue using calm, compassionate, and evidence-based tools.  What You’ll Learn:   The real reason your brain resists quit...

Intimacy, love, and sexual connection can feel complicated after a heart attack, cardiac arrest or surgery but they are a vital part of your recovery and emotional wellbeing. In this episode, Sallie Crawley walks you through the challenges, practical strategies, and gentle steps to help you reconnect with your partner and with yourself. You’ll learn: Common sexual and intimacy challenges after hea...

Understanding your ejection fraction (EF) can feel confusing, especially after a heart attack, heart surgery, or when living with heart disease. In this episode  I break down EF in simple, relatable terms and explains why it matters for your heart health. You’ll learn: What ejection fraction is and what the numbers mean Why EF matters for your energy, oxygen flow, and overall wellbeing How EF is m...

Discover how to boost your happiness and improve your heart health after a cardiac event. In this episode, I explain how stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline impact your recovery, and how “happy hormones” - dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin, and endorphins - can help you feel joyful, motivated, and connected. Learn practical tips for regulating these hormones and reclaiming your life after hea...

Many people worry about whether alcohol is off-limits after a cardiac event. In this episode, I explore the effects of alcohol on the heart, the truth about moderation, and practical strategies to enjoy life safely.  Learn: How alcohol affects heart health and medications What moderation really looks like Practical tips for reducing intake without feeling deprived Benefits of mindful drinking and...

Me, Myself, and I, today I tackle the myth that self-care is selfish and learn why it's actually an essential practice for our well-being after a heart attack or cardiac surgery. I use the powerful analogy of the airplane oxygen mask to understand why we must take care of ourselves first before we can effectively help others. I also dive into the transformative power of mindset, sharing a per...

In today’s guided Relaxamation, I invite you to pause, breathe, and reconnect with the truth that happiness is your right and not a reward or something you have to earn. Whether you’re recovering from a heart attack, adjusting to life with heart failure, or living with any form of heart disease, this is your time to remember: you can feel joy, peace, and calm—even in the midst of uncertainty. You’...

Today, we're talking about A powerful tool to help you manage those overwhelming moments of worry, stress, and anxiety that can often accompany a cardiac event: creating your very own Self-Soothing Toolbox . Sallie shares why this "emergency kit" for your emotions is so much more than just a coping mechanism – it's a proactive step towards improving your mental and physical hea...

What are the early months after a heart attack really like?" It's a question that brings back memories of my own uncertainty after leaving the hospital, stepping back into a life that suddenly felt unfamiliar. I just didn't have a clue what to expect! In this episode, I'll explore what those first few days, weeks, and months can bring, both physically and emotionally, and share...