Survived 2023 with Successful Heart Triple Bypass!!
I am sorry to all my followers. I totally skipped blogging for all of 2023. In 2023 it was just distraction after distraction. Then at the end of the year 2023, I got “Blog Discouraged,” thinking no one wants to read my blog anyway. But at least I have a somewhat plausible “excuse” for my absence. Last April, I had a Triple Bypass. That’s a pretty good excuse, right? For all of you heart people out there that may know a thing or two about heart surgery, I will provide a brief summary of what happened, and what I am supposed to do now after my successful Triple Bypass.
Last March my Cardiologist ran several tests, x-rays, ultra-sounds, calcium scores etc. It was determined that they would need to do a catheterization and possibly a stent of two. But when they went in my arteries they were so clogged, the doctors scheduled a triple by-pass for the next day. And so, this is the very short version of my week in the Intensive Care Unit. Incidently, I am in pretty decent shape, so this whole thing came as a big surprise to me.
After my surgery, I did cardiac rehab for three months. It’s just as important to stay committed to the exercise program after the surgery, maintain a healthy diet, and to get enough sleep. For anyone reading this blog, I would advise you to have more confidence in what you ALREADY KNOW about what to eat to stay heart healthy. There’s always going to be an endless parade of heart advice from dieticians, family members, friends, etc., saying what to eat. Use your common sense. Eat a low fat diet with lots of fruit and vegtables. Lots of fiber is good too. I discovered “Dave’s Killer Bread.” which has lots of fiber. You can find that at the grocery store. Salmon is very good too which has lots of Omega - 3’s. Make sure your primary doctor checks your bloodwork thoroughly and adjusts your medications accordingly. If you suspect your doctor is rushing through your bloodwork evaluation or not staying on top of it, then get a different doctor. Walk and do aerobic exercises at least 4 or 5 days a week. It’s important to get your heart rate up. Ask your doctor, what your ideal exercise heart rate should be. For each person it is different. For example, I need to get my heart rate to about 110 bpm while exercing.
I think I just rushed through what was a very busy few months……hence, why I took a one year blogging vacation. But I am back. If anyone out there is about to have heart surgery, or has any questions about exercise or what to eat, I will try and answer your questions from a PATIENTS POINT OF VIEW.