February is National Heart Month and on Friday I visited the Leeds General Infirmary for my 4 yearly check-up, so what better time to raise the importance of taking care of our hearts.
I was born with Congenital Heart Disease (CHD), Primum
Atrial Septal defect (link to my condition below if anyone wants to see), aka a
hole in the heart and I have two leaky valves. My heart condition was picked up
when I was two years old on a routine health care visit. I was monitored and
then at the age of nine I had open heart surgery.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0BBnt0jNpyw
As it has been something I have grown up with I have always
got on with it, I have led a normal life and go for check up’s every 4 years.
There are certain things that I should avoid like piercings and tattoo’s
(although didn’t take on board the tattoo advice!) and need to take extra care
with my dental hygiene.
I was on my way home on Friday and for the first time in
all these years I felt really emotional after my hospital visit.
I think there are many factors which led to those emotional
feelings. The last time I went for a check-up was when I was pregnant. Through
my pregnancy I had to have my own heart check to make sure I was strong enough
to cope with pregnancy and also had a foetal scan to make sure that the baby
hadn’t inherited the same condition as I had. Those pregnancy appointments and
all previous appointments were attended with Mum. So being sat in the waiting
room on my own hit home more than ever!
Whilst I sat waiting I decided to read all the information which
was scattered around the waiting area – I am not sure if this was new
information or maybe I had just not noticed it before, but the one QR code I
was keen to scan through was the exercise recommendations for those who have
CHD. Now I can’t recall if any information was given on what exercise I should
or shouldn’t be doing when I was younger, and the parent who would remember
these things is no longer with us L
During the ultrasound on my heart the practitioner asked if
I was active as I had a low heart rate and also asked what type of exercise I
did. When I went through to see the heart nurse she also asked the type of
exercise I did as certain types of exercise (mainly high intensity) were not
suitable for certain types of heart conditions. Now luckily the condition I
have is ok to do most types of exercise! Thank god for that as over the years I
have carried on like anyone without a heart condition.
I think this stems from exercise being part of my
childhood, I had active parents and I have always been active. I will never be
able to improve my CHD condition however, I can look after my overall heart health
by being active and eating healthy.
On my way home, I drove past my daughter’s nursery and I timed
it when my Dad was picking her up. After a beep from me, the number one reason
why I want to be healthy for as long as possible gave me the biggest wave and
smile and blew me a kiss!
If you don’t have the motivation to look after your health
for you, then do it for those you love and those who love you!
