Life after a Heart Attack or Heart Surgery | Mental, Emotional & Practical Heart Health Wellness
Sallie Crawley is a heart attack survivor, cardiac coach and therapist. She specialises in holistic heart health and helping survivors and their families navigate the "emotional and mental rehab" that follows a life-changing cardiac event.
This show delivers actionable strategies regarding heart health wellness, rebuilding your confidence, managing health anxiety, and implementing practical wellness tools for life after your event or diagnosis. If you are looking for emotional support and expert mindset tips from someone who has walked the path of a heart patient, you are in the right place.
This podcast provides valuable insights for heart attack survivors, heart surgery patients (bypass, stents, valve repair), cardiac arrest survivors, those living with implantable devices (ICDs and pacemakers), and their families.
If you want to learn how to move past the fear of "what if" and manage your energy so you can live a full, happy life again, you are in the right place!
This show will provide answers to questions like:
- How do I manage the fear of having another heart attack?
- What does long-term heart health look like beyond just medication?
- How do I adjust to life with implantable devices like an ICD or pacemaker?
- Why do I feel depressed or anxious after my heart surgery?
- How can I rebuild my confidence when my body feels different?
- How do I manage fatigue and improve my energy levels naturally?
- Is it safe to exercise or be intimate after a cardiac event?
- How do I talk to my family about my recovery and emotional needs?
- How do I stop the "inner critic" and find joy after a heart diagnosis?
- What are the best mindset tools for long-term cardiac wellness?
🎧 Follow now to start healing from the inside out.
Life after a Heart Attack or Heart Surgery | Mental, Emotional & Practical Heart Health Wellness
011 Cardiac Chat with Ray Bishop – Misdiagnosed more than once, having a forgiving heart and becoming the music man.
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Ray was born with Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome. This did not affect his quality of life until after he had developed coronary heart disease. He was lucky that by this time, cardiac ablation could be carried out on him. This is one of the rare procedures which cures, rather than treats, a heart problem.
After years of Ray's CHD being misdiagnosed, a heart attack was correctly diagnosed and coronary artery by-pass surgery was performed.
At this time Ray had a confusion of feelings – relief at finally being taken seriously, anger at having been regarded as a hypochondriac, depression and confusion caused by PTSD, and fear of what the future held. His condition was helped by meeting other heart patients at support group meetings.
Being diagnosed with CHD taught Ray to make the most of his life. It also taught him that if he wanted to try something new, he should do it while he had the opportunity.
At the time of his heel surgery, he decided to learn to play a musical instrument for the first time in his life. This led to learning to sing and learning to play numerous other instruments. He now plays saxophone in two band, ukulele in two bands, sings in three choirs, and performs solo. His musical activities have played a huge part in his recovery. His heart problems ended his life as an engineer but started his new life as a musician.
When Ray was first told that he had coronary heart disease he was 48 and he thought his life was almost over. His first thoughts were that he would not see his young children grow up. He is now 70 and has two grandchildren.
When coronavirus curtailed his musical activities, Ray travelled to Lancashire and spent a very busy 14 weeks with his daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren. He then returned to London and started to busk for the first time, raising money for his heart support group.
At the age of 70, and 22 years after his CABG, Ray is now feeling fitter than at any time since his mid-thirties and thoroughly enjoying life.
Online resources mentioned in this episode:
Artful Dodgers (Lewisham Heart Support Group):
www.bhf.org.uk/what-we-do/find-bhf-near-you/artful-dodgers-lewisham-heart-support-group
www.facebook.com/groups/artfuldodgerslewisham
Blowjangles:
www.facebook.com/Blowjanglesfamousstreetband/
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ncM6rtopTOY
Can't Sing Choir:
www.morleycollege.ac.uk/courses/subject-areas/music/
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0376m13
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Getting to know Sallie Crawley
Survivorship after a heart attack or cardiac surgery can be challenging. You can rebuild the puzzle of your life and thrive. It takes one beat at a time and the support of people who have had similar experiences. You are not alone. Join me and other hearties in the My Heart & Mind Community, you'll get a warm welcome. You can also visit my website www.myheartandmind.co.uk.
Disclaimer
The information contained within my podcast and on my website is for general information purposes only. It is not official health advice and is not intended to be used as such. Any action you take upon the information you find on this website is strictly at your own risk. If you have any questions relating to specific health concerns or you think you may be suffering from a medical condition, you must consult a medical professional immediately. You must also consult a medical professional before making any changes to your normal lifestyle habits. You can read my full disclaimer here.