u/l0gginz

I live in the UK, and was a keen runner, with a 1:42:00 half and 4:00:00 full marathon pace.

I had an OHCA Feb 2026, spent 2 weeks in a coma, 7 weeks total in hospital, and left with an ICD and 32% EF heart failure.

Now im about 35% EF, and feeling fine. I can walk 10-11 miles in 3 hours easily enough, and regularly walk 5 miles home from work.

I haven't started running again, but I was hoping to get the sign off to start (gently) again in a couple weeks when I see my cardiologist next.

Here's the dilemma:

I just got selected to be in the Paris Marathon 2027. I have 3 days to purchase it or it'll be given away.

Is it really stupid to go for it? There is a cut off time of 6 hours on the day so I can't just walk it all (at current pace anyway).

It seems odd, but every since I had a CA, and woke up 10 days later, I've been really struggling to focus on anything for a long period of time.

I noticed it at first in the hospital, I couldnt watch a TV episode or read a book for more than 20 minutes without losing focus. I hoped it would get better in time but its not.

I can't watch a new show or read a new book, even play a video game for more than 30-45 minutes now before I start either losing interest, getting tired, or just zoning out entirely.

It doesn't sound too bad so far, but its starting to affect my work too. I can be on a call with a customer or colleagues, and by half an hour I'm really having trouble to stay on target as it were.

Is this normal? Has it happened to you? And if so how did you get over this. Partially for work and just partially for my own sanity. I can't even watch a film without having to stop it 2 or 3 times.

Tldr, I need suggestions for a new healthy activity after a cardiac arrest.

So long story cut short, I was an avid runner of 10+ years, when in Feb this year I had 2 cardiac arrests, spent 45 days in Oxford hospital, and now have been diagnosed with heart failure. Not severe, but enough that I have been told I'll likely never be able to run again as I once did.

Running was a huge part of my life, it kept me healthy, active, a little social, and was a great way to deal with stress.

Thats all been taken away and I'm looking for a new activity/activities, to fill the void.

I've considered cycling, swimming, and pilates, but I know there's got to be more I've not considered.

Requirements/wishlists:

It should be something that does not involve a lot of start-up equipment. Happy to purchase in future, but not to see if I like it at first.

It should not be a requirement to team up (ie no direct competition like tennis/football), I'd like to be able to do the activity solo if i like, but with the option to join a group/club.

It should have a good degree of physical activity. I do want to stay healthy and active and maintain/lose weight, but obviously not too strenuous on the heart (no extremes)

EDIT: It should have a degree of mental stimulation required. Even if that is just about form or whatever. Something to actively focus on to distract me from whatever has been bugging me that day perhaps.

Open to suggestions, and I may edit these requirements in time.

Tldr, I need suggestions for a new healthy activity after a cardiac arrest.

So long story cut short, I was an avid runner of 10+ years, when in Feb this year I had 2 cardiac arrests, spent 45 days in Oxford hospital, and now have been diagnosed with heart failure. Not severe, but enough that I have been told I'll likely never be able to run again as I once did.

Running was a huge part of my life, it kept me healthy, active, a little social, and was a great way to deal with stress.

Thats all been taken away and I'm looking for a new activity/activities, to fill the void.

I've considered cycling, swimming, and pilates, but I know there's got to be more I've not considered.

Requirements/wishlists:

It should be something that does not involve a lot of start-up equipment. Happy to purchase in future, but not to see if I like it at first.

It should not be a requirement to team up (ie no direct competition like tennis/football), I'd like to be able to do the activity solo if i like, but with the option to join a group/club.

It should have a good degree of physical activity. I do want to stay healthy and active and maintain/lose weight, but obviously not too strenuous on the heart (no extremes)

EDIT: It should have a degree of mental stimulation required. Even if that is just about form or whatever. Something to actively focus on to distract me from whatever has been bugging me that day perhaps.

Open to suggestions, and I may edit these requirements in time.

I know i know, I've been told multiple times not to compare myself now to my "past life". But at times its really hard not to feel like a let down.

For example right now my mother (70) and father (75) are cooking in the kitchen with my brother (37), and me (40) has just had to leave the room to lie down as my back was hurting and I was exhausted after doing washing up and cutting veggies.

Previously I would've been there helping out until the job is done, but I just couldn't now. Everyone was quite understanding and considerate, but tbh that just made me feel worse.

It just reiterates the feeling of being a shell of my former self and stuff. I want to do more, I could before, and now I just feel nowhere near as useful as before.

Also, just a quick thank you to this community for letting me vent when it gets hard/frustrating, or when I have questions. I really appreciate everyone here 💛

I've had this diagnosis now for about 3 months, and been on medication since. I've had various chats with gp, cardiologist, and some support teams. As well as family and friends. But I feel i might be getting the "light and fluffy" answers and not all of the truth.

I understand the specifics are different for each person, and "we simply dont know yet" is probably accurate, but im wondering on a general basis a few questions. So i figure id ask here.

1. How long does the average person with HF live after diagnosis?

2. Is my condition expected to worsen over time? Will this affect my ability to work/enjoy life?

3. What warning signs should I look out for?

4. Is it worth taking life insurance now?

5. Can doing too much exercise actually hurt me?

Im sure there are more questions I haven't thought of yet, and I may add to this, or others feel free to add too.

I've seen lots of posts saying how people walk X far, or cycle X many times a week etc, but whats the deal with us and running? Is this a flat no-go, is it doable but with a max heartrate/pace? Is it perfectly fine as long as you listen to your body and don't overwork?

I keep thinking of themat Christian Eriksen footballer who had a CA, but eventually returned to Premier league level football, and take inspiration from him, but is that unrealistic generally?