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

Today, I'm diving deep into a topic I touched on previously in episode 035, about " Can trauma and PTSD be caused by a heart attack, cardiac arrest, or open-heart surgery. " This time, I want to share how even after a traumatic event, feeling good is not only possible but something you're absolutely allowed to do. I'm talking about moving From Trauma to Triumph: Post-Traum...

Summer can bring unique challenges for those with cardiac conditions. This episode provides actionable advice on staying cool, hydrated, and recognising the signs of heat-related stress, all tailored to help you protect your heart. Sallie shares her expertise and personal insights, guiding you through crucial precautions and lifestyle adjustments that can make a significant difference during hot s...

I challenge the notion that "you can't think yourself better" after a life-altering cardiac event. While it's crucial to acknowledge the trauma and negative emotions, we delve into the powerful connection between your mindset and your cardiac recovery. We explore: The Nuance of Positive Thinking: It's not about being relentlessly positive, but understanding how your though...

Today I’ve been thinking about how much energy we spend trying to predict, control or prepare for every possible outcome in life… especially when we’re living with a health condition. It’s completely natural, we want certainty because it feels safe. And when your body isn’t behaving predictably, or when your health is uncertain, it’s easy to feel like the ground beneath you is shifting. Even the s...

A cardiac event, whether a heart attack or surgery, doesn't just impact your physical health; it can dramatically affect your emotional well-being. In this episode, we explore the emotional roller coaster ride that often follows, akin to the stages of grief.  We discuss: Grief Beyond Loss: How losing your "old life" after a cardiac event is a valid form of grief. The Change Curve: A...

Join me for an exciting announcement! My Facebook page, formerly known as "Heart Attack, Heart Surgery & Heart Disease Survivors Support Group," is officially rebranding to Healthy Hearts & Happy Minds! 🎉  This new name truly reflects my mission: to support and empower individuals living with or recovering from a heart attack, heart surgery or cardiac diagnosis on their journey...

I confront the reality of trauma and PTSD following cardiac events like heart attacks, cardiac arrest, or open-heart surgery. It's a question many ask, and the answer is a definitive yes. I discuss: The Reality of Trauma: How life-changing cardiac events can make your own body feel unsafe, and why these feelings are normal. What is PTSD? Understanding symptoms like re-living events, heightene...

I dive into "Pumphead," or Post-Perfusion Syndrome, the post-operative brain fog many experience after heart bypass surgery. We'll cover: What is Pumphead? Common symptoms like brain fog, confusion, and dizziness. Why does it occur? Theories involving the perfusion machine and heart handling. Recognising Symptoms: How to identify signs like imbalance, difficulty problem-solving, or...

Join me in this powerful and candid interview with John Fraser, who shares his remarkable journey through a triple coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. At 66, John, a previously active individual, faced unexpected heart issues, leading to a life-changing operation. Listen as John details his experiences from initial symptoms and diagnosis to the challenges of surgery and recovery. In this...

Today’s episode is a relaxamation and it focuses on taking time for yourself and putting yourself first. When was the last time you spent a whole day just for yourself, doing only what you wanted to do when you wanted to do it? I don’t do it very often myself and yet I know that I should.  It’s an essential part of self-care. Self-care shouldn’t be for when you’re burnt out, uptight, stressed and...

I am not sure about you but does your cardiac event consume your life? Is your heart health at the centre of everything that you do or think?  Awe is an emotion characterised by a sense of reverence or wonder in response to something perceived as vast or great. Something outside of yourself. It has been shown to have several potential health benefits.  Today I am going to talk about awe as it has...

The Dalai Lama said, “Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional.” To me, the quote means that experiencing pain, physical and emotional, is a natural and unavoidable part of life, but whether or not we experience suffering as a result of that pain is a choice that we can make. In other words, we can choose to let the pain control and consume us, causing suffering, or we can choose to accept the pa...

I am sure that like me you experience stress and anxiety. I thought that prior to my heart attack, I had it pretty much nailed anxiety and that I managed my stress levels well.  Perhaps I did but after discharge from the hospital it got really out of my control and I had to learn to practice what I had been preaching to my clients.  Today I am sharing with you 5 different ways of using your breath...

My interview with Jon Johnston. He’s a survivor of a widow maker heart attack and a cardiac arrest that caused him to be without oxygen for 20 minutes, technically dead. He is also an author of two books and a sports website owner.  Today he talks to me about his life before his event and how he died but miraculously survived. He shares with me how he pieced together what had happened with the hel...

This week is about nutrition, and my guest is Cheryl Strachan of Sweet Spot Nutrition. She is a Registered Dietitian, specialising in cardiac nutrition and wellness.  Her mission is to share her love for food that hits the sweet spot. She is also the author of a recipe book. It's called 30-Minute Heart Healthy Cookbook: Delicious Recipes for Easy, Low-Sodium Meals . Cheryl believes that we sh...

Today’s episode is going to be rather different; it’s going to be a fictional story. It’s a story of someone that had a heart attack although it is founded in a true story. It’s the first fictional story that I have found about having a cardiac event and I’d like to share it with you.  I came across the author, Aaron David in a Facebook group when I was looking for people to proofread and give me...

Quit hiding your magic! You are UNIQUE, you are the only one like you. You have one of a kind fingerprints, not even identical twins have matching ones. You are the outcome of one egg and around 40 million sperm, any other sperm and you would be a different you. You are the only one to see colours the way you do.  Remember not to compare yourself with others as there is no comparison. And anyway,...

This week I am talking more about "how-to" live life with fatigue and minimise the impact. I talk through more tools, rules and ideas to help you manage fatigue and conserve your energy. Here are some of the topics I discuss in this episode. Sleep - whilst it doesn't get rid of fatigue is a good place to start. It means you only have to deal with the fatigue and not tiredness too. ...

For a full understanding of what my relaxamations are make sure you catch up with my episode called Relaxamations to relax and energise when living with heart disease , you can read or listen to me explaining it. In a nutshell, though, relaxamations are a blend of all of the best bits of meditation, guided relaxation, mindfulness and positive affirmations. Imagine this: If you had $86,400 in an ac...

Today I am going to tell you about my relaxamation technique and how it can help you to relax and energise when living with heart disease. </p> It is a blend of all of the best bits of meditation, guided relaxation, mindfulness and positive affirmations. It's so exciting to tell you about what a relaxamation is and how it can help. Relaxamations for you to download will be included in m...

I recently asked in my Facebook community how have people been feeling since their cardiac event or diagnosis. The top answers were Fatigue, Sleep Issues, Anxiety and Lack of Motivation.  These I thought would be top topics for me to talk about. In this episode, we will be focussing on fatigue. • What fatigue feels like. • What’s the difference between tiredness and fatigue? • Why do we get fatigu...

A few months ago, I invited Brian Simpson, the Heart Attack Thriver to be on my podcast. He turned the tables on me and invited me to be his guest on his IGTV show. He kindly allowed me to use the audio to share some of my story with you.  You’ll get to find out why I think I am so lucky despite having my leg in plaster and having a heart attack. Then 8 weeks later having a cancer diagnosis that c...

At the age of 36, she was diagnosed with Congestive Heart Failure. Idiopathic Cardiomyopathy and Aortic Stenosis. This was from having an undiagnosed Bicuspid Aortic Valve.  Her life was turned upside down. Since then, she has been on a journey to heal her body, mind & soul and reclaim her life.   Now she helps others do the same. Heart disease isn't the end of your life. It is a second c...

In January 2020 Tony decided to change his life and pursue his passion for working as a dog behaviourist. It was probably not the best timing but he made the best of things. Little did he know that in February 2021 his life was turned upside down once again. Tony tells us about the day when his heart attack started and how he thought he had COVID, so went home and took himself off to bed.  Later a...

Ashley specialises in helping people with high cholesterol live a long, healthy life without feeling powerless to control their numbers because of their family history. Hear about what Cholesterol is, what is good and bad about it. Ashely explains in terms that makes total sense – Cops & Robbers.  We talk about some of the misconceptions and myths about your cholesterol, about diets that reduc...