Survivor Survey – Exercise

Q: How has your sport/exercise regime been affected?

Did you used to participate in sports and can no longer do so? or have you become more active since?

Responses with name, age at SCA and time since

I found Heartsmart online and after a GP referral started exercising under supervision at my local gym. Once confident I started exercising more independently. I still don’t swim alone though!

Michelle,  42, 4 years

I can’t do 10K runs anymore (doctor’s orders), but I have built up to 5k and hope to continue to improve my fitness.

Clare,  31, Almost 5 months.

No longer able to participate, I walk.

Anon,  36, 11 years

Walk and swim a lot, like to keep active. I am more effected with brittle asthma limits than heart issues

Julie,  31, 8 years

More sport cycling, but slower. 8000 miles last year!

Stewart,  53, 3 years

No

Anon,  70, 10 months

Still to early to say

Carly,  34, 1 month

Less active, but trying to improve it

Lee,  37, 5 1/2 years

Everything I used to do is impossible now.

Brenden,  56, 4 years

I didnt really have a sport/exercise regime before and I do know I can’t walk as fast or far now. Although as time goes on it is improving. That slow motion feeling and led heaviness is less.

Robyn,  57, 18 months

I am no more/less active than before. As I mentioned, my cycling days are behind me but I haven’t gained any weight since my initial arrest. My overall health is very good, considering what I’ve been through.

Mark,  46, 23 years

Don’t walk the long distances yet that I used too.

Lisa,  35, 4 months

I’ve never been able to participate in sports, not that it ever bothered me tho.

Amy,  17, 14 years

Struggle with exercise but attend cardiac rehab

Dawn,  48, 3 years

Stuff like the gym and other activities I used to do are on hold at the moment. Hoping to return to them after my rehabilitation.

Joe,  52, 4 weeks

I can cycle further and faster than prior to the SCA. Struggle a bit with placement of pacemaker it hinders some movement especially pilates

Anon,  56, 15 months

Not as much as before

Tracy,  50, 3 years

I have be more active since.

Sue,  51, 8 months

Wasn’t very active before, but did things as and when. Now, needing to exercise because of weight gain from slowing down and beta blocker effects, it has been testing to say the least. I enjoy exercise, but really listen to my heart and monitor it during exercise, the second I don’t feel right or flutter – I quit!

Judy,  39, 3 years

Yes, no more football however continued running and including 2 half marathons in last 5 years

Graeme,  36, 10 years

Do thing s daily and stick to rowing, walking and yoga

Natasha,  25, 4.5 years

More active

Pat,  51, 15 months

Become more active- followed cardiac rehab program and then follow on gym program . Bought a dog to get myself out every day walking . Was told not to swim at beginning (something I enjoyed before) but now beginning to get back to it .

Michelle,  50, 1 year

I was always reasonably fit and active, but now I have continued and expanded on the physical rehab programme and attend the gm most days in addition to walking.

Mark,  56, 14 months

i walk more

Lynne,  47, 21 months

We walk a lot more. However I would benefit from the gym, but find after carrying out a physical job I rarely go.

Ben,  32, 1 year 2 months

Don’t do as much as I would like

Joanne,  48, 23 months

Not the sporty type

Lisa,  40, 7 years

No

Kym,  40, 3 years

No

Michelle,  43, 5 years

Ironically, I am probably more active now ,albeit at a gentler level.

Andy,  51, 5 years

I work out at the gym and play sports exactly like I used to.

Imogen,  21, 2 years

Don’t do any

Maureen,  68, 7 years