Day 28

Today was a lovely change to my normal routine walk. I went to Stourhead in Wiltshire (National Trust) and although you have to book online before going to ensure its not overcrowded due  to Covid-19, it was a really lovely walk. Probably over a mile leisurely walk, steps on my phone indicated 5620 steps, so a little less than normal but there was a couple of inclines as well to get the heart racing. Worst incline was the walk back up to the car park. Thats quite steep, and my partner had to tell me to slow down as I tend to walk fast uphill, downhill and on the flat. I was out of breath at the top but still able to hold a conversation and although I have been there before a number of times, this was the easiest walk back up to the car park i have experienced due to smoking before my heart attack.

A lovely day none the less.

Day 44

Every day I have been walking despite what the cardiac rehab nurse said, I felt that I could and can, easily walk about 2 miles. This is what I have done, some briskly some casual walking, just so I don't overdo it, and although I feel fine walking, I always have what the cardiac rehab nurse said to me the other week, don't over do it, your heart is still recovering from the shock of surgery. Although I have always thought I have a strong heart, and this was outlined on the echo cardiogram I had in hospital, I will always listen to the cardiac rehab nurse, well..... most of the time I will.

So today I wanted to do something a little different and walk up a hill. I achieved this, it wasnt too difficult and I have walked up this hill before my heart attack, and I did struggle in places, having to stop, catch my breath, but carried on all the same. That was clearly the smoking having an effect on me. I am smoke free now, for the last 2 months, and I don't miss it, and today proved the fact that I don't need it either!

The hill was 680 metres high, doesnt sound too bad but its very steep in lots of places, so I just took my time, and I could still hold a conversation whilst I was walking, which is something I struggled to do before my heart attack. 

Day 55

 Today after speaking to my Cardiac Rehab nurse, I was given permission to up my game. She sent me a link to the BHF (British Heart Foundation) website and I could start phase 3 exercises at home. 

55mins of gentle exercise and keeping within my training heart rate zone as she had calculated, I found all the exercises very gentle and easy apart from one which perhaps I was being a bit more vigourous than the video was showing, but it was a good sign that i could easily do the exercises. 3 times a week, which is not a problem. So the other days of the week I could go for a walk. She wanted me to do one hour, which included a warm up walk of 10 or 15mins as well as the warm down, so about 30 or 40mins of brisk walking.

So after the exercise, I decided to try the walk (I know it should be the day i dont do an exercise at home) but I am feeling super great and I could always shorten the walk, or walk slower....... I just needed to get out and have a walk!

So an hour and 20mins later, the walk was done, very brisk walk, 4.4miles later and 10,102 steps and I felt great. I have found a new route and its very scenic, so I will do that from now on. 1 day of walking, and then 1 day of rest possibly. 

Found out later in the evening I have pulled a small muscle in my chest with the exercise video I was following. Its not overly painful, only when I do certain things with my hands, like clenching or pulling a tea towel (thats how I discovered it) Its always the simple things!! A night of rest and it should be ok in the morning. So the reason I am putting this down here, is to warn anyone that its highly suggestable to stick with the program/video and don't over do it. 

Day 56

Today was a walk in the countryside. I was a bit apprehensive about this walk as it was a walk I had done before my heart attack and it was a long and mostly uphill walk. Last time I did this I had to stop every 50metres or so to catch my breath and also because of pain in my calf muscles due to what I thought was the steepness of the hill.

Today was so much easier than before. It was emotional just how much I was struggling in the past, but now I feel like I could walk forever. It was a strange emotional feeling but elation was the main feeling. I could do this walk without issues, yes slightly out of breath when i got to the end, but that would not have been possible before, i would have been gasping. This is mainly due to smoking and of course over the years the arteries were getting reduced due to this, so oxygen getting around my bloodstream was more difficult and hence why my calf muscles were aching i think. Today, there was none of that.

The walk was from Stourhead to Alfreds tower in wiltshire. 4.7 miles and only 10,833 steps. This is 8 weeks post op, not doing too bad I think, but am aware of not overstepping the mark. Tomorrow i will probably take a rest and not walk anywhere, although I could easily do that, I don't want to push it too much, I think i have already done over and beyond what I am supposed to be doing but I do feel fine, but don't want to risk it. Beautiful scenic route. If ever you find yourself in Wiltshire, its always worthwhile to visit Stourhead for a walk. Run by the National Trust, its iconic in Autumn. Highly recommended.