Matters of the heart - taking stock

Not too long ago I was one of those people who took my health for granted. Even though there was a history of coronary artery disease in my family, I firmly believed that it would not happen to me and like so many people around the world I had no sense of my own mortality.

How wrong I was.

Today, seven months ago I found myself lying in a general ward, waiting for a by-pass operation that was scheduled for the next day. Two days previously I had suffered a heart attack and had been through all kinds of tests that proved it was not a case of severe indigestion, which is what I was hoping it was. The angiogram showed four bad blockages, which the cardiologist said a stent would not be able to sort out. The conclusion - I needed four by-passes - the sooner the better. One positive aspect though, was that my heart had not been damaged, as the veins from the good side had provided collateral support to the side that had been "attacked".

Though I had been put in a general ward to get a break from all the hustle and bustle of the cardiac care unit there was non stop traffic to my bed side all day long, as all the role players came to give me comfort and advice and explain what was going to happen to me. The cardiothoracic surgeon, the cardiologist, the psychologist, the anaesthetist, the PR person all came around. And then of course there were the mandatory blood samples; my legs and chest were shaved and I had to take several showers with special soap that was said to kill any of the super germs that hang around these days.

I was totally at peace with what was going to happen. It was after all a routine operation and many people I know had been through it.

The scars of my folly. They are a daily reminder for me to "behave".


All that I want to say about the operation is that nothing that had been said to me, had prepared me for what was to come. It will go down as the darkest and most miserable period of my life and an experience I have no intention of repeating. My advise to anyone who has high cholesterol levels, is don't wait to sort out the problem with a by-pass.

The sad part is that it was totally avoidable. I had experienced all the signs of a threatening heart attack, but had ignored them. I had given up exercise, because I was so "unfit" that I got chest pains if I went for a brisk walk. After the slightest exertion, I would break into a sweat. I had continued to eat fatty foods and take aways. Processed foods, with all their trans fatty acids were my favourites. I ignored the advise I was given to have a check up. I was a like a ticking time bomb - it was only a matter of time that it was going to explode.

The scar from the removal of the vein that was used for the by-pass.


So it has happened and I have been given a second chance. There is no point in dwelling on the past - I cannot change what has happened, but I can influence the future. Why be miserable?

I made a vow in hospital that I have no intention of going back for seconds. This has meant a complete lifestyle change. I am now on chronic medication, which I have to take daily.

The cover of the book given to me at the hospital. This was my survival manual. I still refer to it from time to time.


Where my diet is concerned I am a total fanatic. I go way beyond what has been recommended in all the heart friendly diets. My basic starting point is if I do not like the look of any food, I will not eat it it - so I might go hungry for a short while, but that is not the end of the world.

• I have cut all dairy products from my diet - and I mean all. Do I miss any of it? Absolutely not.
• Soya is a very good substitute for milk. We get a good quality soya milk and soya yogurt.
• Fatty foods are an absolute no-no.
• Red meat happens about once a week, but then it must be lean.
• Saturated fats have been ditched for polyunsaturated fats and monounsaturated fats. Let's just say we only use olive oil, peanut oil, avocado oil or grape seed oil.
• For breakfast we have home made muesli, which includes raw oats and a selection of nuts and raw chocolate powder.
• I do not drink coffee any more, but stick to herbal teas, such as rooibos, honey bush and comfrey tea.
• Eggs no longer feature on my menu.
• I eat a lot of fruit and vegetables and nuts.
• Processed meats (polony and sausages) and commercially baked foods (pies and confectionery) and take-ways are avoided like the plague.
• I read the labels of all food products when shopping and if I do not like what I see, it goes back on the shelf. I know I have gone totally over board, but that does not worry me. I am quite happy.

Suzi-k and I realised that we were not getting enough exercise, so we bought an exercise bike four weeks ago. I have been slowly building up my time on it - the poor old knees initially took a pounding, but they have now accepted that this is a part of their new routine.

I do not know what a good work out should be, but whatever exercise I am doing now, is a lot more than I did previously. I try to burn at least 150 calories at the start of each day, but also have at least two sessions where I burn 350 calories. I do think that I am getting ready to pass on to the next level.

The console of the famous exercise bike.

What I have found is that since starting with regular exercise my energy levels have increased. Let me hasten to add that exercising daily requires a lot of self discipline on my part, but so far so good.

New decor items in the living room.

But that is not all ........ I also bought some weights to start toning up my arms. The strapping young man in the exercise equipment shop suggested 9 kg weights - I settled for 4 kgs, but have since bought a 2 kg set for warming up. I will probably have to get some professional advice on how best to use these, but for now am following the same routines Suzi-k does in her water aerobics.

Some days 4 kgs was too much for me so I also got some 2 kg weights.

In the last 7 months I have dropped from 105 kgs (231 lbs) to 93 kgs (205 lbs). I seem to be hovering around the 93 kg mark, but hopefully with the exercise the downward slide will continue, until I reach my target.

The waistline has shrunk by 9 cms (3.5 inches). I can now fit into my old 34 trousers. At my peak I went up to a size 38.

Looks like my belt has growth rings. I am now using the pre-growth ring hole.

What has taking stock of my life seven months after my heart attack shown me:

• I now no longer take my health for granted.
• My new life style is not a flash in the pan, but has become part of who I am.
• Exercise is not a chore, but is now an essential part of my daily life.
• I do not compromise on what I eat. In fact I am a total pain in the rear end when it comes to dietary matters, but no one is complaining.
• There is no point in being miserable about what I should have done - that wont change a thing. I am thankful that I have been given a second chance and will make the most of it.