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?

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?

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, 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.

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?