Mended Hearts Open Forum

Hi Everyone!  I'm a 64 year old male, very soon to be 65, who was born with a bicuspid aortic valve.  I've had it monitored since I was 50 via echocardiograms, ekg, and annual visits to both my cardiologist and general practicioner.

I have mild to moderate stenosis and mild aortic dilation.  At my last echo and cardiology visit, instead of hearing the usual "no change", I heard the words "slightly worse" in regard to the aortic stenosis, plus my blood pressure had started to creep back up.  So now I'm looking at annual ECGs instead of every two years.

So where does "stupid" come in?  In Janaury of 2024, I went in to partial retirement and I started a diet and exercise program.  I lost 24 lbs, lowered my blood pressure, and over time lowered both my working and resting heart rate.  Good plan, right?

It was indeed--and I blew it.  I added a second part time job "for a short time" in September 2024 until I could decide which of the two I wanted to keep.  Six months later and I'm still working both jobs.  My diet is back to consisting of too many calories and not paying attention to high nutrition, lower calorie foods like I had been doing.  I no longer track calories and my beer/wine/mead consumption has gone from one glass per week to a level that I don't even want to think about.  Topping this off is that I am the medical advocate for my mom, who is in a nursing home but who has been declining regularly since early October, so my stress level has increased dramatically. 

Stupid, stupid, stupid choices (well, my mom's decline wasn't a choice, per se, but how I handle it can be improved upon).

So I feel the urge to get very radical in order to get back on track.  Give two weeks notice for the job that interferes the most with my abiliity to get to the gym regularly.  Hire a personal trainer at a local YMCA who has a measurable means of accountability.  Empty my fridge and cupboards of foods that are not part of a healthy balanced diet (bye bye bacon stash, for example) and prepare for the Lenten fast at the same time.  I can even join my Byzantine and Orthodox friends in their Lenten Fast and add a level of accountability there as well.

I'll also discontinue using my current physical trainer once my last two sessions with him are up.  He avoids cardiovascular exercise and focuses only on weightlifting, has no measurement system for tracking client's progress, and no experience with nutrition based counseling.

A big leap right now seems right for me--before it's too late.

Have any others made similar resolutions in the past? Where you successful? Do you have any tips?

------------------------------
Garth Wadleigh
------------------------------

Garth,

I think I can help. I'm a 75 year old workout psychotic since the age of 12, former gymnast, wrestler, and still a lifelong calisthenics workout guy mixed with weightlifting (none of which protected me from having a heart attack and CABG surgery 8 years ago) and, until the pounding took it's toll on me, a long distance runner (30-60 miles per week depending on my training goals). I have also eaten too much and drank too much and loved every second of it, although I do work very hard at healthy moderation in eating and drinking these days.

Anyway, I have a book for you to read called "Running and Being" by Dr. George Sheehan. Doc Sheehan was, not only a cardiologist, but a highly talented writer and equally talented long distance runner, as well as what I characterize as lay philosopher. " Running and Being" posits that running, and all physical exercise is and should be seen as a form of play, not work. Doc goes on to describe the life lessons exercise has taught him and quotes great philosophers and other philosophical writers/novelists/poets in getting his points across. I took Doc's lesson to heart and would go a little further; everything is a form of play!

Get out there and do it, Garth. And remember, it's a long run solution.

Ira

Thank you, Ira.  Wonderful recommendation!  I just ordered the book from Thriftbooks.

I should point out that the phrase that I use--"before it's too late"--is less reflective as to whether or not I have a valve replacement and more of an age related comment.  I've seen folks who hit my age lose stamina, mobility, and independence simply because they retired and became couch potatoes.  I also see the opposite when I go to the local YMCA--folks in their 80s and 90s who are living active, healthy lives.  I want to be in the latter category in future years, which means NOW is the time to get up and get moving.

------------------------------
Garth Wadleigh
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 02-10-2026 04:23
From: Ira Reid
Subject: Reversing Stupid Mistakes Before It's Too Late

Garth,

I think I can help. I'm a 75 year old workout psychotic since the age of 12, former gymnast, wrestler, and still a lifelong calisthenics workout guy mixed with weightlifting (none of which protected me from having a heart attack and CABG surgery 8 years ago) and, until the pounding took it's toll on me, a long distance runner (30-60 miles per week depending on my training goals). I have also eaten too much and drank too much and loved every second of it, although I do work very hard at healthy moderation in eating and drinking these days.

Anyway, I have a book for you to read called "Running and Being" by Dr. George Sheehan. Doc Sheehan was, not only a cardiologist, but a highly talented writer and equally talented long distance runner, as well as what I characterize as lay philosopher. " Running and Being" posits that running, and all physical exercise is and should be seen as a form of play, not work. Doc goes on to describe the life lessons exercise has taught him and quotes great philosophers and other philosophical writers/novelists/poets in getting his points across. I took Doc's lesson to heart and would go a little further; everything is a form of play!

Get out there and do it, Garth. And remember, it's a long run solution.

Ira

Garth, I would entitle this a good catch.  You were on the right track and veered off. This is perfectly normal and not a cause for concern.  Getting back on track is the right thing to do, and keep an eye on that bicuspid valve.  As you know, you might be a candidate for TAVR if your cardiologist recommends it.  Sorry to hear about your Mom and that added stress is not helping, but it also can't be avoided.  I am sure the nursing home is doing their best, but still stay on top of that.  Your health is the most important thing right now.  Are you ok with not working 2 jobs financially? Or do you have to work at all?  

A little about me, im 74 soon to be 75 and in fantasic health, I had surgery 4 years ago to replace a tricuspid Aortic valve that was stenosis and 5 arteries bypadssed.  I changes my diet , NO BACON at all.  its just fat.  I added Lentils to my diet as they are good fiber , no fat and very healthy I make lentil meatloaf, meatballs, chile and sloppy joes.  They taste like the real thing. Look for a recipe online .  I use to walk about 3-4 miles of hills a day and still do.  I watch my diet but allow a cheat now and then. 

Tips, find a buddy to keep you on track even if its just a facebook group of Mended Hearts.  Recognize what causes you depression which make you give up and falter, once you identify it tackle it.  You mentioned your church and thats a good place for support. Attend a local Mended Hearts meeting also for support and education.  Good luck and hope for your future.

------------------------------
Gerard Scortino
Paso Robles
------------------------------

Thank you for your response Gerard.

Yes, working one part time job at this time of life is sufficient for me.  It's not even a matter of finances so much as a means of keeping my mind active and allowing for some team cooperation in order not to be isolated. 

One job involves working from home and provides good benefits as long as I work a minimum of 16 hours per week.  The work that I do for this job is computer based and allows a tremendous amount of flexibility in my schedule.

The second job is as a substitute nutrional assistant in a local school district, so I basically help to feed kids from elementary school up to high school, depending on where I'm called in.  It pays a pittance, has no benefits, and is hard but very rewarding work. Plus as a sub I can always say no when called in. I think the problem with it for me is that the work falls in the middle of the day, so it interferes with my ability to get to the gym as often as I'd like. However, I don't work summers or holidays so there are quite a few breaks built in.

I like your idea of finding a buddy (or two) to have some level of accountability. Church probably is not a good place for support as my role there is more as a supporter to others, but there are likely other resources in the area I can tap in to.

Thank you again for your pointers and ideas.

------------------------------
Garth Wadleigh
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 02-10-2026 12:09
From: Gerard Scortino
Subject: Reversing Stupid Mistakes Before It's Too Late

Garth, I would entitle this a good catch.  You were on the right track and veered off. This is perfectly normal and not a cause for concern.  Getting back on track is the right thing to do, and keep an eye on that bicuspid valve.  As you know, you might be a candidate for TAVR if your cardiologist recommends it.  Sorry to hear about your Mom and that added stress is not helping, but it also can't be avoided.  I am sure the nursing home is doing their best, but still stay on top of that.  Your health is the most important thing right now.  Are you ok with not working 2 jobs financially? Or do you have to work at all?  

A little about me, im 74 soon to be 75 and in fantasic health, I had surgery 4 years ago to replace a tricuspid Aortic valve that was stenosis and 5 arteries bypadssed.  I changes my diet , NO BACON at all.  its just fat.  I added Lentils to my diet as they are good fiber , no fat and very healthy I make lentil meatloaf, meatballs, chile and sloppy joes.  They taste like the real thing. Look for a recipe online .  I use to walk about 3-4 miles of hills a day and still do.  I watch my diet but allow a cheat now and then. 

Tips, find a buddy to keep you on track even if its just a facebook group of Mended Hearts.  Recognize what causes you depression which make you give up and falter, once you identify it tackle it.  You mentioned your church and thats a good place for support. Attend a local Mended Hearts meeting also for support and education.  Good luck and hope for your future.

------------------------------
Gerard Scortino
Paso Robles
------------------------------