Heart Attack Recovery

PXMike

Dear Fitness Pals,

I'm writing what I hope will be a message of help and hope. 10 days ago I suffered a Left Anterior Descending Artery Myocardial Infarction with Left Axial Failure. In laymen's term's, a Widowmaker Heart Attack. Today I had my follow-up stress test and scans, and although I have now been ordered to retire from my career, this DOES NOT mean I'm now sentenced to spend the remainder of my days on the front porch in a rocking chair. CONTRARY! While, at first, your activity level does have to be restricted for approximately 6 to 8 weeks, a slow gradual return to an active lifestyle is an imperative! In my case, I am actually extremely blessed. This will afford me the opportunity to fully dedicate my life to fitness and strength training. As my cardiologists agreed, Strength training is actually one of the best things you can do for yourself once diagnosed with Congestive Heart Failure. You have to remember that your heart is your number-one, most important muscle and, once recovered from an injury, a slow, professionally administered, training regime is the biggest favor you can pay your heart after an attack.

***NOW A CAVEAT***
This DOES NOT mean that everyone should march over to the nearest gym and start wildly pumping iron after a heart attack! You've just suffered a potentially fatal injury to one of your body's most vital mechanisms. While post MI training is called for, it MUST be done very carefully and under the trained eye of your recovery team which may include your Cardiologist and/or your Coronary Recovery Therapy Team. There is never a more important time to leave your ego at the door and shut out ALL Pseudo Trainers and Bro Science. And, speaking of dismissing that ego, you know those little 2.5lb plates you see on the racks in your gym, the ones nobody dares to touch? Those are there for a reason and now is the time to make them your best friend. The name of the game is to start light and gradually begin progressive weight training. Most people I know here at my local gym would be stunned and shocked to see how many professional body builders utilize these light weights. You go to the likes of Venice Beach Gym or the Muscle Mecca in Santa Monica and pay attention. The pro's DO train with amazing weights; however, it's only for a couple sessions each week, and the remainder of the time they are using progressive overload with lighter weights, and I MEAN lighter weights! I've actually seen some very well known pro body builders training their delts with 15# DB's. The sight of these legends performing lateral lifts (very controlled and NOT swinging!) with such light weights was almost sublime!

I've taken a tangent here, but I'm trying to make a point. First, I pray that you are NEVER accosted with a heart attack; however, as my case proves, you can be in the best shape of your life and, if the genetics or some other mechanism are present, there just isn't much you can do but fight. In the case of rehabbing a physically broken heart, you must use your other most important body part, your brain. Play it smart, listen to your doctor, take your medicine, watch your diet, get plenty of rest and read read read.

I pray this has been of help. If you're not in your best shape, please get out and do something about it. It doesn't take much. Instead of plopping down in that easy chair, get out and enjoy the evening by taking a relaxing 30 minute walk several times a week, and watch what you put into your mouth. Remember sugar drives sugar. When snacking on a sugary treat, the increase in your body's glucose levels actually causes a spike in your hunger level! Speaking of which, obey your stomach's hunger, not your brain's. When your hungry, eat. When not hungry, don't eat. It's simple as that! Learn to listen to your body. God gave each of us an amazing instrument. We just have to learn to play and listen to it!

May God bless each of you, and as always...

Stay 'Healthy' My Friends!