Finding Hope
I have a similar journey to many of us in here. I was diagnosed at 38 when I had a heart attack and my EF was down to 10-15%. Got a life vest and went to cardiac rehab. Got all the common medications (I take 10 a day currently) Was doing okay had no real symptoms. Stuck to a low salt diet and had limited my drinking. Got out of it and started loosing up again. Got a stent put in and saw more improvement up to 30-35%. Then loosen up too much probably. Started eating poorly and drinking alcohol more. EF was 27% in November. Started having SOB and chest pains had times, although they said it was GERD. Realized I needed to get back at. Started the year and working out 4-5 times a week. Strict diet in sodium and fats. Cut off almost all alcohol. Losing weight. Down 60+ pounds as of start of year Had an EF measurement of 45% in April. GERD starting to go away, almost gone now. Just had a stress test and was estimated at 32%. There's scarring which I was aware was there before. But that is a big decrease. And I am now worried that I can't improve any more, and I have strugged mentally being too anxious these last 6 months about every little thing. I miss being able to be carefree and have drinks with friends. To enjoy some fast food or comfort food when it's a tough day. The grind is real and it's tough to go through it with few who know what it is like. It feels like even though I have done the right things the last 6 months, my heart may not be able to be improved that much more. Or that I waited too late.