Sailing post heart attack

BigEasy · Aug 11, 2023

Happy that you're on your way to a speedy recovery. Recently turned 70 with no cardiac event yet; not backing off any activities at this time.
Hope you're back on the boat soon!

Davidasailor26 · Aug 11, 2023

I hope you have a full and quick recovery!

@Scott T-Bird recently had to ask similar questions unfortunately - Life (sailing) after heart attack.

jviss · Aug 11, 2023

Wow, God bless! You must have a guardian angel.

I think about that, too. I had three stents installed in 2020; I knew I had a blockage and I had been telling my PCP that for years, but it took the ER to get the message across!

kappykaplan · Aug 11, 2023

john6206 said:
those of you at risk, or “of a certain age” has your sailing changed to reflect your reality? What precautions have you built in?

High cholesterol and high blood pressure run in the family, but no cardiac events yet. As I've gotten older, I avoid high heat & humidity more than when I first got the boat in 2008. If I do go out on a particularly hot day, I'll call my friends to let them know that I'm safely off the water.

dlochner · Aug 11, 2023

Glad you were survived.

The question you asked is the ultimate existential question, how do I want to cease existing and what would I like my last moments to be like.

That's a personal question than no one other you can answer. We all know that we won't get out of this alive, so how do you want to spend your last days?

Sometimes the way to that answer is ask some simple questions, would I rather die while watching some mediocre TV sit com or on a gorgeous day sailing and watching a beautiful sunset? The answer to that question for me does not include watching TV.

As we age, we do need to make accommodations to how we live. On the boat there is no question if we are buying something that will allow us to sail longer and easier.

If sailing is what makes you alive, then I think you have the answer to your question

Sail on sailor.

Stu Jackson · Aug 11, 2023

Dave's right, good approach. I had a mini-stroke on April Fools Day no kiddin'!!! and carotid endarterectomy surgery on the 4th. On June 13th I motored over a few docks away to have the boat short hauled for new zincs. On July 9th I went to the Catalina Rendezvous on Thetis Island - two and a half hours away. I'm still recuperating from the surgery and tire easily, and my afternoon nap is becoming a legend in its own right here in my household ("Look, Stu's reading his book after lunch, guess how many pages he'll turn before he falls asleep?!?"

) I just pace myself, but I gotta admit that my usual "off the cuff" enthusiasm is not as blatant as it used to be, especially after lunch. But "it shall return" and I'm patient. I'm 77. There's still a couple of months to go for this boating season up here, and I did go down to my marina and had a nice visit with @terrycox last week.
Stay safe out there - with the emphasis on OUT THERE. :beer:

Scott T-Bird · Aug 11, 2023

I've been much better but this is going to be a hurdle for me. Heart damage was severe 5 weeks ago, but I'm walking about 5 miles every day now at a pretty good pace. I go out to walk 2 to 3 times every day, avoiding the heat in the middle of the day when necessary. I'm taking this time off from work and I'd like to go to the boat to relax and work on some easy projects but Sue is not on board with this notion. She was badly traumatized, fearing I was dead in the car as she was calling 911.

I convinced her to go to the boat with me last weekend. We stayed overnight and largely just relaxed in the marina and I did a few small jobs on the boat. I should say that I tried to relax while Sue was on edge and we left early on Sunday after small fights over what I should or could be doing. This is going to be a long road back even though I feel like I'm in good shape now. All my kids are coming to visit in September and my goal is to reduce the tension between us (Sue and me) by then.

Stu Jackson · Aug 11, 2023

Scott T-Bird said:
Sue was on edge and we left early on Sunday after small fights over what I should or could be doing.

You are aware, are you not, of support groups for just this issue? You do NOT have to reinvent the wheel. Good luck.

jviss · Aug 11, 2023

I'm sorry to hear you had heart damage, Scott. I hope it heals up.

shemandr · Aug 11, 2023

What is a "Heart Attack"?
Sounds like a stupid question but there are several ways to have a cardiac incident and each has a different storyline. The classic heart attack is an infarction or blockage of an artery supplying blood to heart tissue. The Window Maker, If I remember, is the left descending artery. There can be a lot of heart tissue damage from lack of blood supply.
There are also heart rhythm anomalies that can cause the heart to just plain stop beating. These can result in little heart muscle damage if the heart is re-started promptly (Carry a defibrillator?) or sudden death if not.
Both types of cardiac malfunction represent different risks, different treatments, different recoveries and different
outcomes.
I'm not a physician but I have seen one of the above in my close family and have watched how the cardiologists (In our case Interventional Cardiologists) have approached our problem. First thing was plumbing vs. wiring. We were wiring.
This post is offered from a lay person to hopefully clarify a term that to our experience has no real meaning. Apologies to those on the list that have more education and experience but we'd like to hear from them.

Scott T-Bird · Aug 11, 2023

shemandr said:
What is a "Heart Attack"?
Sounds like a stupid question but there are several ways to have a cardiac incident and each has a different storyline. The classic heart attack is an infarction or blockage of an artery supplying blood to heart tissue. The Window Maker, If I remember, is the left descending artery. There can be a lot of heart tissue damage from lack of blood supply.
There are also heart rhythm anomalies that can cause the heart to just plain stop beating. These can result in little heart muscle damage if the heart is re-started promptly (Carry a defibrillator?) or sudden death if not.
Both types of cardiac malfunction represent different risks, different treatments, different recoveries and different
outcomes.
I'm not a physician but I have seen one of the above in my close family and have watched how the cardiologists (In our case Interventional Cardiologists) have approached our problem. First thing was plumbing vs. wiring. We were wiring.
This post is offered from a lay person to hopefully clarify a term that to our experience has no real meaning. Apologies to those on the list that have more education and experience but we'd like to hear from them.

I had the widowmaker - 100% blockage of LAD (as you described) and 65% blockage of the left circumflex. Doctor's told me that my effciency (EF) was just 35% - it should be 55% to 60%. Doctors make no promises for recovery of efficiency due to the damage, but I've heard from others that improvement is possible with improved diet and exercise. In the emergency room, I had a stent placed in the LAD. 4 weeks later I had a stent placed in the circumflex as an outpatient. I came out of the emergency room feeling very normal (but afraid) and returned home after just 2 nights in hospital. I was walking around for exercise but very gingerly. By the time I had the second stent and especially right after, I have increased my exercise walking substantially.

I don't know if my heart stopped beating - but I think not. I went unconscious, I think, due to low blood pressure. Sue brought me back when I heard her screaming my name (to me it was muffled). When I came back, I was able to stay alert until the ambulance got to me and I was relieved when they told me my heart was beating steady. Troopers arrived before the ambulance did, and they apparently found no need for difibs or CPR. They asked me about pain and I responded that it was severe.

These blockages could not have happened overnight as far as I know. In February, I skied in Colorado at high elevation, steep terrain and deep snow for a solid week. In particular, there were 2 notable days when I finished skiing completely exhausted, needing a few hours sleep in the afternoon before going out for the evening. Thinking back, I'm simply amazed that I didn't have a heart attack just then - why not?. Returning home after that trip to Colorado, the experience probably just reinforced my feeling of invincibility. Why did I have a heart attack when I did? I did nothing strenuous the preceding day and I woke up after a somewhat restful sleep. I did have the warning signs during the evening before, though ...

Support groups ... I think there is no magic pill there and I'm not aware of any such groups - not that we've looked. Sue has yoga, which seems like her rock of support. I went with her yesterday for a "gentle yoga" session. I think I'm going to join her once or twice a week - she seemed to be happy about that.

Stu Jackson · Aug 11, 2023

Scott T-Bird said:
and I'm not aware of any such groups - not that we've looked.

Hmm, cause and effect...
If you want to help her to stop worrying every time to try to do anything...
But as I've noted so often: your boat, your choice.

Scott T-Bird · Aug 12, 2023

Stu Jackson said:
Hmm, cause and effect...
If you want to help her to stop worrying every time to try to do anything...
But as I've noted so often: your boat, your choice.

I'm not sure what any of this means, but I should have stated something differently ... Sue and I both have support groups all around us. We have activities, family, friends, work & more. This site is one of mine. @Ward H is one of my rocks! I join Sue in Yoga, now, which helps us work out conflicts, I think. I listen to her needs and fears. I have no question about what I mean to her and vice versa. Nobody can eliminate conflicts, we can only deal with them and often it requires time and understanding. This new episode in our lives is difficult but I think both of us know that the support groups have always been there and permanently in place. I'm sure that there are specific support groups for heart attack victims and even marriage counseling, but I feel like we've already tapped into all the support that we need via our own personal relationships. I don't think there has been a void in that regard that needs to be filled.

dlochner · Aug 12, 2023

The value of topic centered support groups is the shared experiences group members have. That is usually different from your normal group of friends and family.

Members of support groups can sometimes be more honest and less biased and see things differently than your friends and family. The emotional distance and objectivity of group which can be helpful finding ways to cope with the trauma of whatever event.

The range of response to support group involvement is wide, some derive great benefit, some minimal. Recovery from trauma is challenging, with the after effects popping up in unsuspecting ways and times. Topic centered support groups can be of assistance in dealing with long term effects of trauma.

shemandr · Aug 12, 2023

@Scott T-Bird: My wife is walking around with an EF of 20%. If you met her you would think she is healthy and energetic. Yet when she was hospitalized 5 years ago they parked a crash cart by her door. I can only conclude that the heart has more reserve capacity than we give it credit for. Her cardiologist is not telling her to avoid physical activity - just to be smart about it. Like not playing golf when it's over 90 degrees.

danm1 · Aug 12, 2023

On a lighter note of general caution, I had a physical when I was 70 and the doc told me my cholesterol was good. Then he plugged the numbers into a calculator created by the American Association of Cardiologists and said "hmmm, they recommend you take statins." I asked how much I would have to lower my cholesterol to avoid pills and he started adjusting numbers on the calculator. "Hmmm," he said, "you can't." It seems age was an overriding factor. So, I called my 60 year old cousin the eminent and physically fit cardiologist and asked if that was true. "I take them and you should too," he said.
Which all brings me back to the lessons of the '60s. "Better living through chemistry."

Scott T-Bird · Aug 12, 2023

john6206 said:
Hey everyone,

last Tuesday I had a heart attack. I’m home now, and resting comfortably in my “I’d rather be sailing T-shirt.” Great news is the doc says there was no damage to the heart.

I keep thinking, “what if I was 3 hours from port when it happened?” “What if I was single handing 3 hours from port when it happened?“

those of you at risk, or “of a certain age” has your sailing changed to reflect your reality? What precautions have you built in?

thanks in advance,

john

Hi John,

I'm glad you are ok! What were you doing when you had your heart attack and how did you make it to the hospital? In my case, we were on the boat in our marina in the morning when mine occurred. We could just as easily have been anchored out over an hour away. If we were anchored out when I first started to feel symptoms, it might have been disastrous or I might have taken quicker action ... we just can't know. In our case, I was just feeling a little off and I thought that the 2-hour ride to a hospital closer to our home would be suitable. It didn't turn out that way. If we had been anchored, we probably would have called 911 from the boat, and I might have arrived at the hospital in Manahawkin before I had the heart attack. There is just no way of knowing. My fear of having another episode like that on the boat is far less than Sue's fear that it could happen on the boat and that is the crux of our difficulties right now. Her trauma has been more severe than mine, I think. Since then, I've realized that my iphone has emergency satellite communications that can be used in an emergency if cell service is not available.

RussC · Aug 12, 2023

danm1 said:
On a lighter note of general caution, I had a physical when I was 70 and the doc told me my cholesterol was good. Then he plugged the numbers into a calculator created by the American Association of Cardiologists and said "hmmm, they recommend you take statins." I asked how much I would have to lower my cholesterol to avoid pills and he started adjusting numbers on the calculator. "Hmmm," he said, "you can't." It seems age was an overriding factor. So, I called my 60 year old cousin the eminent and physically fit cardiologist and asked if that was true. "I take them and you should too," he said.
Which all brings me back to the lessons of the '60s. "Better living through chemistry."

heart attack and two stents to fix 95% blockages 2 years ago. recovery went well until they put me on Statins which almost did me in. not everyone can tolerate them and in my case they had neglected to warn me of the potential side effects. thank god for google which is where I discovered the reason I couldn't get out of my chair due to extreme back pain for a week was in fact the statins. I'm doing well again now, for a 73 year old kid, and trailer sail my Mac 25 often, 2-3 days at a time, without much worry.

kappykaplan · Aug 12, 2023

danm1 said:
"Better living through chemistry."

Yep! I call 'em miracle drugs.