Liz
Liz aged 55, suffered a form of heart attack known as Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection (SCAD), this is an emergency condition that occurs when a tear forms in a wall of a heart artery and forms a blood clot. Doctors ruled that this was caused by extreme emotional distress, most likely brought on by lockdown. Devastatingly restrictions had meant that Liz was unable to see her beloved Mum, who suffers from Alzheimer’s disease for an entire year, this caused her severe hurt and stress.
Liz began to feel very unwell quickly, knowing something was awfully wrong she immediately reached for her phone and dialled 999. Incredibly she managed to remain conscious until the first responders arrived. They sent heart readings to cardiologist who ordered a paramedic to attend immediately. Just as the paramedic arrived everything went black. She had gone into what is known as cardiac arrest, this is when the heart suddenly and unexpectedly stops pumping. The paramedics used defibrillator, a device that gives a jolt of energy to the heart, to helps get Liz’s heart beating again. She was then blue lighted to hospital where she had 3 stents fitted and stayed for just 5 days. This sudden discharge amidst the pandemic meant that Liz was home alone, without any support system, closures meant that there would also be no cardio rehabilitation services. Liz developed Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), a mental health condition that develops following a traumatic event characterised by intrusive thoughts about the incident, recurrent distress, anxiety, flashbacks, and avoidance of similar situations. It was a further 6 months before Liz had contact with her doctor again, contact which she initiated, having made an appointment she then had blood pressure and cholesterol tests, and was subsequently prescribed daily medication to support her heart health.
As each winter draws in Liz can feels her PTSD heighten, after a further check-up with her doctor it was suggested that she visit Healthy and Active East Kilbride, a community focused organisation who support people to make positive changes in their lives. Liz threw herself into the wellbeing activities on offer such as arts and crafts, Thai-chi, yoga, and gentle movement.
Liz enrolled within the MorphFit Gentle Movement programme at Healthy and Active East Kilbride in September 2023. Since joining Liz has really felt the benefit of the exercises physically and notes that this is the best she has felt mentally since the heart attack. Instructor, Cara makes the sessions fun and upbeat and has the ability to adapt exercises depending on everyone’s individual needs. Liz likes the group setting, and enjoys meeting a variety of people, all at different ages and stages. She finds Caras enthusiasm and kind nature makes everyone feel comfortable, there can be some hilarity when Cara introduces games such as the ‘Ball Challenge’ and ‘Twelve Days of Christmas’.
“My fitness has improved and definitely my mental health, knowing I can go there, I know everyone now and it really lifts me!”
