Heart Health

I have considered posting this for a while now and feel on balance that it is appropriate for linked-in as my outcome is to help to keep fellow professionals alive and active and so is beneficial for individuals and organisations.   

On a personal level I also want to do whatever I can for my 14,000+ personal contacts as I see you all as part of my team. 

Three months ago, I had a severe heart attack (angina) which could have been fatal. Firstly, a big thank you to the National Health Service of England and the Norfolk and Norwich hospital in particular.

Since my "event" I have changed my diet (no salt, sugar, fat, alcohol or processed foods/ lots of fruit and veg, fibre etc.), I am walking about 5 miles a day, have lost some weight and am feeling, ironically, fitter than I have for a long time! 

My message is; no-one could have reasonably predicted what happened to me, there are no simple/regular tests in the UK to assess the throughflow of blood through the arteries.

Blood pressure, height/weight and cholesterol levels are not guaranteed indicators against angina. All of these indicators, for me were “normal”. 

Whilst age does have a bearing it is no guarantee. The chap next to me in hospital was only 34 and had the same thing, namely a blocked main artery! 

I've looked into the aspect of what you can do to know what is happening in your arteries and my understanding is that an angiogram, an X-ray with dye and / or a cat-scan with dye is required to accurately assess the thickness, or otherwise of the arteries.

Healthcare professionals, please feel free to add to or correct this procedure and also describe what is routinely available in other countries. 

If you have to pay for these tests, I imagine you will in the UK, please consider it, I would have had these tests like a shot years ago to avoid the extreme pain I went through and the damage to my heart muscle which is irreversible, though as I was not aiming for the Olympic athletics team this will not hinder my normal activities. 

I joined my rehab club three weeks ago and am progressing well with a range of exercises that will also help keep my muscles stronger. 

Please take care of yourselves, lots of love, Nick.