Elizabeth's Posts

I finally figured out that the cramping in my upper chest and upper back was caused by muscle strain. The initial strain may have been related to the positioning for the heart surgery. About a month ago, I had been lifting my bike up onto a bus racks. I also during the same period of days had been wearing a backpack. I don't drive so I end up carrying a lot of stuff. At one point the elevator was out at the metro station so I had to carry the bike on the escalator! Suddenly, the symptoms which had abated all came back with a vengeance. Again I was no longer able to walk more than a block or two without the cramping. This is very hard on a person who needs to walk for transportation! Well, I rested up and didn't carry heavy objects and bought a small folding bike which is easy to lift up on the bus rack (those racks that are on the front of the bus.) I am symptom free after almost three months of tests and medication. Meanwhile, my heart is great! I am starting to be able to ride my bike for extended trips. (4 mi. round trip) Soon I'll be back to 6 miles. ;-)

I'm about 6 weeks out from surgery but wonder if I have overdone things. I have had a tightness in my chest and crampy feeling around and between my shoulder blades whenever I walk. I saw my cardiologist but he didn't seem concerned. He said I seem to be recovering well but that he would put a Holter monitor on me just in case. One was not available so I'll probably get one tomorrow. My question is, are these cramping sensations perhaps my body trying to heal? I did some house painting and cramped up while I was doing that. Then a few days later cramped up after climbing some flights of stairs. The cramping when I walk seems to be getting less. Thanks for your help!

I was recovering well when last week I overdid it. I was walking around for hours at a time and in the evening I went to a lecture. At the lecture, I started to have tightness in my chest and shortness of breath. I didn't hesitate to go to the nearest emergency room. The hospital kept me for 2 days. All the tests came out fine. I had the pleasure of watching a beautiful echo of my lovely newly repaired mitral valve. That's great but I could have avoided all that by resting more. I need to exercise plenty but with plenty of rest in between. I wasn't being good about the resting part. I needed to walk an hour at the most and then rest!! But now I am back on track. Still haven't ridden my bike but I am in no hurry. I keep getting stronger every day!