Anyone in their 40s/50s plus had a health wake up call?

Is there any conflict between BP & HRT? The HRT might actually help you sleep better, be more energetic and hence get fitter thereby reducing your BP?

Diagnosed with osteopenia was the kick I needed to quit smoking and start exercising. Core exercises and strength training. I do struggle with making myself actually get to the gym, but it does take time for me to build routines for anything.

Seeing people my age and younger with copd also kicked my arse into action.

I'm 47 and up until last July was very slim, fit and healthy. I started to get a burning sensation in my chest/throat when out running and went to my GP, who did loads of tests and diagnosed acid reflux. I had an echo, full bloods, everything was fine. Cholesterol 5.2, normal BP, non-smoker. I even queried exercise-induced angina with the GP as my symptoms were so consistent with it. Was dismissed.

I went on to have a heart attack in January with a completely blocked artery which required a stent. Massive wake up call! I have always eaten carefully, my BMI was around 18-19, I walked my dog three times a day, ran regularly and went to the gym (occasionally!). I thought I was doing ok health-wise. I have started running every single day now, on top of the walking, and have stopped eating red meat, sugar and refined carbs in an effort not to kill myself any time soon. I would like to know exactly how I managed to give myself a heart attack but I've been told I'm the one person in 10,000 who just does. Not an enormous comfort but I know I cannot do any more, and I can't deny that the insurance payout I received wasn't extremely nice!!

@TubbsTattysyrup why do you say you gave yourself a heart attack if you were healthy?

I don’t know really! I must have caused it as there appears to be no family history etc, but there also appears to be no reason. I wish I knew why and can only assume I caused it in some way?

I just assumed bad luck tbh. There's often a narrative that "we" are very much responsible for our health in terms of making good choices. However plenty of people make good choice & still get cancer, have strokes & heart attacks etc. Perhaps the fact you were healthy meant you recovered.

Am 52. My BP is fine, but cholesterol was 7.5 last year! GP wanted me to go on statins but I changed my diet and now take Benecol drinks daily (probably for the rest of my life) and it is 6. My cholesterol has always been a bit on the high side, but at 6 and OK BP the GP wont’ pressure me to go on statins.

I was also 71kg when I used to be 60kg, so depressing as I used to naturally just keep off the weight and I hate gyms. It’s been so hard getting it down to even 67kg, but even that reduction has made me feel so much better. Premenopausal and it was weeks of soup and porridge just to give a few lbs!

Vitamin D was really low also, as was B12. Trying to eat better. Have a child with severe SN, going through a separation, looking after my older mother also, had a good career but had to take time out for child so it’s hard to get motivated when there is no one supporting me.

I walk the dog every day, which I even have to motivate myself for that! But I noticed a difference in my watch tracker just upping my pace. So for all those dog walkers - it can be a really good exercise. Apparently even 30 mins really reduces heart and diabetes risk etc. Good luck too all you others - let’s take care of ourselves for a change!

@TubbsTattysyrup there is always risks that we can’t control, so don’t beat yourself up. You are way healthier and fitter than me! And doing that probably massively helped your recovery or from it being worse.

Thank you! It’s hard not to blame yourself though - I still can’t believe it happened to me and I feel so let down by my body.

I think this is part of it, how we feel about our own bodies. I don’t take enough care of mine, and without getting too dippy because my Ex cheated, and I’m mainly a carer for others, I think I’m no valuing my own body enough. Our circumstances have an impact I think, and even if our bodies aren’t always functioning as well as we’d like, they are the only one we have!

This is the perfect thread for me.
Am hugely overweight,haven’t weighed myself for years and had my head in the sand. Had a general for a minor gynae procedure last week and seeing my BMI and realising the health risk I was in as a result has shocked me into action.
I have cut out snacking and have upped my veg and reduced the carbs.
I want to lose some weight before I feel confident enough to exercise but I feel really determined to make a positive change.

@PlainSkyr well that’s been my argument too but the GP is saying high BP=increased stroke risk and HRT=potential increased stroke risk so together it’s a no right now.

@TubbsTattysyrup I get that but you shouldn't blame yourself.

I'm so glad you started this thread. Not long back from the GP at mh 4 weekly check and explained about my gall bladder pain. He looked at my last ultrasound, I knew it was negative but he said was I made aware of the fatty deposits on my liver omg 😲 I'm so embarrassed.

I’ll be turning 50 this year and really struggling. About 6 years ago fibromyalgia and menopause knocked me for six. I had to give up work 4 years ago but still support my ND daughter and my ND grandchildren ( waiting for my own assessment) I’m 5 stone overweight and overwhelmed with life 😔

@AvonCallingBarksdale - thank you for explaining, I'll do my research too.

Yep.
Last month.
Routine bloods revealed Type 2 diabetes. I'm also on statins now.

Huge wake up all... I'd been burying my head in the sand.

I'm 58. Onwards and upwards.

@Stickytoastandhoney I have Fibro and ME and its so hard to do much never mind focus on weight loss and exercise. I've often thought I can't do this anymore, everyday there's no respite. Hugs to you xz

Thanks 😊 sometimes it’s good to talk to someone who can relate. I did really well when I went plant based whole foods last year but didn’t stick it out. I plan to start again on Monday and make it permanent.

Can relate to a lot of this
am 60 and need to get my act together I have high bp , struggling to get it down , interesting to see how exercise has helped .

waiting for mri to check for heart blockage ( fingers crossed it will be fine ) and a chlorestal test due