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Non-COPD Heart Attack

DowtyCamino

Active Member
Time of past OR future Camino
May-Jn2014
May-Jn 2017
VF Jl-O 2021
Mar-My 2023
Just looking for thoughts/comment from a unique group of Pilgrims.
I'm 52 and in great health (arguably the best shape I've been in since grade school)...and then I had a heart attack. Crazy. There is a 50/50 chance I'll fully recover but a 50/50 chance that some remaining heart damage will not heal. It seems to have been a fluke thing since I have low BP, low Cholesterol, low stress, great diet etc.

God willing, my wife and I will begin our 2nd Camino in May 2017 travelling from SJPP to where-ever. Comment please if you have had a heart attack with some heart damage and have walked Camino. I'd particularly be interested in your experience if your heart attack had been recent.

What was your experience?
 
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I doubt you will get many replies, but like you I went after a year of recovery & had to take many pills everyday on my walk. I think we have no choice to carefully monitor & listen to the body we are blessed with. Simply enjoy every step & the souls your blessed to find as you move along.
Keith
 
Just looking for thoughts/comment from a unique group of Pilgrims.
I'm 52 and in great health (arguably the best shape I've been in since grade school)...and then I had a heart attack. Crazy. There is a 50/50 chance I'll fully recover but a 50/50 chance that some remaining heart damage will not heal. It seems to have been a fluke thing since I have low BP, low Cholesterol, low stress, great diet etc.

God willing, my wife and I will begin our 2nd Camino in May 2017 travelling from SJPP to where-ever. Comment please if you have had a heart attack with some heart damage and have walked Camino. I'd particularly be interested in your experience if your heart attack had been recent.

What was your experience?
I've never had a heart attack but I have had problems with Afib. I've had 2 minimally invasive procedures to correct the problem and sport a pacemaker and I take medications for hypertension.. My doctors tell me I have a health heart and have given me their blessings to walk the camino.

What you haven't said is if you have seen a cardiologist yet, if you have had any kind of cardiology work up, or if you have had or need bypass surgery. Normal blood pressure, low lipids, heart healthy diet and exercise do not guaranty a healthy heart. Crazy! When one has a myocardial infarction, a heart attack, some of the heart muscle dies. The body will not make new heart muscle, ever. Instead scar tissue will form which can cause decreased cardiac output.
 
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I had a heart attack when I was 49. I was and am a non smoker, worked as a pipe fitter, working outside for 30 years. I was an active hiker, skier and snowhoer all of my life and then, BANG. a heart attack. Eight years later I got a stent put in after climbing Old Rag mountain the day before. My point is the heart works it's best when used to its max. Often you will find lower BP after a couple hours walking, soon your heart and lungs become stronger. Go and see your cardiologist, if they say go then go, but listen to your body. I refuse to allow my heart take the fun out of life.

Walk walk walk, it is the best medicine for your heart and you.
 
Thanks Urban and Scott and MT.
I have seen a cardiologist and will continue to see him. The ER visit during the attack resulted in a singular stent in the LAD. He's already said (or perhaps come to grips with) I can walk Camino again.

The LAD was 100% blocked for over 90min so there is damage. I'm only 2 weeks from the actual attack so there's no final verdict on how much damage was done however. The ejection ratio as measured 24hrs after the attack (typically at 50-60%) is around 36-40% (so worst case a 40% loss in "pumping efficiency). That is likely to improve somewhat and perhaps completely. The damaged muscle may not come back, but the doc described it as "stunned" or "hibernating" muscle that was likely be reacting to the shock v. true damage.

So, barring any really negative news I fully intend to be in SJPP again in May 2017. I was really asking about any experiences in handling the journey post heart attack. Everyone is different, I appreciate. I've heard privately from some folks that have COPD and they really modified their journey. I don't have COPD though so I'm not sure how much their experiences apply. Only 2 weeks from the event I have to admit, the thought of climbing up from SJPP seems like a dream. I have over a year to learn and test my body so that won't be a question about this time next year and I have the benefit of knowing exactly what it felt like before.

Thanks again.
 
I had two MIs before I was 37, I am now 52. Within one month of the second I had started cardiac rehab with specialist personal trainers. Over the years I have learn't how to read the signs of how my body copes with various different challenges and to rest and relax when I know it is needed. The only thing I have had to give up is climbing at altitudes.
I am walking my first Camino in June this year, although because of work commitments it will be from Leon.
I wish you well in your recovery
 
The one from Galicia (the round) and the one from Castilla & Leon. Individually numbered and made by the same people that make the ones you see on your walk.

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