Life after a Heart Attack or Heart Surgery | Mental, Emotional & Practical Heart Health Wellness

Do you find yourself wishing that life could go back to exactly how it was before your heart attack, heart surgery, cardiac arrest or diagnosis?

Perhaps you miss your old confidence, your independence, your energy or the freedom to make plans without thinking about your heart.

You may feel as though your life has become smaller.

You may be comparing everything you can do now with what you could do before.
And you may be wondering whether accepting your new reality means giving up.
It does not.

Acceptance does not mean that you like what happened, agree with it or stop hoping that things may improve.

It means recognising where you are today and asking: What can I do from here?

I will gently guide you through relaxation, visualisation and positive affirmations to help you release some of the struggle with what has changed.

You will be encouraged to acknowledge what you have lost, separate facts from fears and focus your energy on the things you can influence.

Your life may be different from the one you expected.
But different does not automatically mean worse.

Your new normal can still contain meaning, connection, enjoyment, purpose and possibilities that you have not yet discovered.

In this Relaxamation, you will be gently supported to:

• Acknowledge and grieve the life you had before
• Understand that acceptance is not the same as giving up
• Recognise the difference between facts, feelings and fears
• Focus on what you can control or influence
• Release regret and self-blame
• Respect your current limits without allowing fear to define you
• Become more open to new possibilities
• See your present reality as a starting point rather than an ending

Today’s Affirmations
Repeat each affirmation five times as a set and practise them at least twice each day:

• I am at peace with my new reality.
• My life can be different and still be meaningful.
• I am free to discover new possibilities.

Self-Reflection Questions

1. In what ways might denial or resistance be keeping me stuck?
2. What is the difference between accepting my current reality and giving up on myself or my future?
3. Why might acceptance require courage?

You may also wish to consider:

• What is one possibility available to me now that I may not have noticed while I was looking backwards?

An Important Note

This Relaxamation is intended to complement, not replace, medical advice, treatment or cardiac rehabilitation.

Always follow the guidance you have been given by your healthcare professionals about your activity, treatment and recovery.

Please only listen to the relaxation section when you are somewhere safe and comfortable. Do not listen while driving, operating machinery, exercising or doing anything that requires your full attention.

Read the complete article here Podcast & Blog Page.

Getting to know Sallie Crawley
Survivorship after a heart attack or cardiac surgery can be challenging. You can rebuild the puzzle of your life and thrive. It takes one beat at a time and the support of people who have had similar experiences. You are not alone. Join me and other hearties in the My Heart & Mind Community, you'll get a warm welcome. You can also visit my website www.myheartandmind.co.uk. 

Disclaimer
The information contained within my podcast and on my website is for general information purposes only. It is not official health advice and is not intended to be used as such. Any action you take upon the information you find on this website is strictly at your own risk. If you have any questions relating to specific health concerns or you think you may be suffering from a medical condition, you must consult a medical professional immediately. You must also consult a medical professional before making any changes to your normal lifestyle habits. You can read my full disclaimer here. 

After heart surgery, a cardiac arrest, or another major cardiac event, many people discover there are gaps in their memory. Some remember vivid dreams or nightmares. Others remember very little at all.

In this episode, we're exploring the powerful role an ICU diary can play in recovery.
You'll learn why memory gaps happen, how they can affect emotional wellbeing, and how a simple diary kept by loved ones can help patients make sense of their experience long after they've left intensive care.

We'll also talk about cognitive fog, "pumphead," and why recovery isn't just about healing the heart — it's about helping the mind and nervous system recover too.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• Why ICU memories are often incomplete or confusing
• How ICU diaries help patients understand what really happened
• The emotional benefits for both patients and families
• Why brain fog and cognitive changes are common after a cardiac event
• What to include in an ICU diary
• When and how to read your diary after leaving hospital
• How storytelling and connection can support emotional recovery

Whether you're recovering from a cardiac event yourself or supporting someone you love, this episode offers reassurance, understanding, and a practical tool that could make a meaningful difference to recovery.

Remember: your story matters, even the parts you don't remember.

Download the free, printable ICU diary designed specifically for cardiac patients and their families, with:

• clear instructions
• gentle prompts
• space for messages, milestones, and reflections
• guidance for patients reading it later

Read the complete article here Podcast & Blog Page.

Getting to know Sallie Crawley
Survivorship after a heart attack or cardiac surgery can be challenging. You can rebuild the puzzle of your life and thrive. It takes one beat at a time and the support of people who have had similar experiences. You are not alone. Join me and other hearties in the My Heart & Mind Community, you'll get a warm welcome. You can also visit my website www.myheartandmind.co.uk. 

Disclaimer
The information contained within my podcast and on my website is for general information purposes only. It is not official health advice and is not intended to be used as such. Any action you take upon the information you find on this website is strictly at your own risk. If you have any questions relating to specific health concerns or you think you may be suffering from a medical condition, you must consult a medical professional immediately. You must also consult a medical professional before making any changes to your normal lifestyle habits. You can read my full disclaimer here. 

Immy Reid shares her extraordinary journey through complex health challenges, heart failure, cancer treatment, cardiac arrests, trauma, and the long emotional recovery that follows.

Immy shares openly about living with high blood pressure from a young age, being diagnosed with heart failure, going through cancer treatment, experiencing severe complications, and later surviving three cardiac arrests. She also talks about being placed on end-of-life care, the impact this had on her family, and the medical intervention that helped turn things around.

This is a powerful, honest and emotional conversation about what can happen when the body goes through crisis after crisis, and how those experiences affect the mind, emotions, relationships, confidence and everyday life.

Immy also speaks about panic attacks, fear, trauma therapy, living with a cardiac device, managing multiple conditions, stopping smoking, asking questions, and learning to take life one day at a time.

This episode is a reminder that recovery is not always neat, simple or straightforward. It is often messy, frightening and exhausting. But it can also contain moments of hope, courage, humour and deep strength.

In this episode, we talk about:

• Immy’s early health challenges, including high blood pressure and high cholesterol
• Being diagnosed with heart failure at a younger age
• Living with cancer treatment and its long-term effects
• Surviving three cardiac arrests
• Being placed on end-of-life care
• The emotional impact on Immy and her family
• Having a ventricular pacemaker/defibrillator fitted
• Panic attacks and trauma after a serious cardiac event
• Why mental health support matters after heart failure, surgery, cardiac arrest or critical illness
• How trauma therapy helped Immy cope
• The importance of asking questions and advocating for yourself
• Living with uncertainty, multiple medications and ongoing appointments
• Stopping smoking after years of relying on it as a coping tool
• Finding hope even when life feels incredibly hard

A gentle note
This conversation includes references to serious illness, cancer treatment, cardiac arrests, end-of-life care, panic attacks, trauma and difficult hospital experiences. Please listen with kindness for yourself and pause if you need to.

As always, this episode is not medical advice and is not a replacement for your own medical team. If you are worried about symptoms, medication, your heart health or your mental health, please speak to your GP, cardiologist, cardiac nurse, pharmacist or appropriate healthcare professional.

A message from this episode
A diagnosis can change your life, but it does not mean your life is over.
Immy’s story reminds us that even when recovery is difficult, even when the future feels uncertain, and even when the emotional impact catches up with you later, support is available and hope can still be found.

You are not alone.

Read the complete article here Podcast & Blog Page.

Getting to know Sallie Crawley
Survivorship after a heart attack or cardiac surgery can be challenging. You can rebuild the puzzle of your life and thrive. It takes one beat at a time and the support of people who have had similar experiences. You are not alone. Join me and other hearties in the My Heart & Mind Community, you'll get a warm welcome. You can also visit my website www.myheartandmind.co.uk. 

Disclaimer
The information contained within my podcast and on my website is for general information purposes only. It is not official health advice and is not intended to be used as such. Any action you take upon the information you find on this website is strictly at your own risk. If you have any questions relating to specific health concerns or you think you may be suffering from a medical condition, you must consult a medical professional immediately. You must also consult a medical professional before making any changes to your normal lifestyle habits. You can read my full disclaimer here. 

Sleep is one of the most important things we can do for our physical and emotional wellbeing, yet it is often one of the first things to suffer after a heart attack, heart surgery, cardiac arrest, or diagnosis of heart disease.

In this episode, I explore why sleep matters so much for recovery, the connection between sleep and heart health, and why anxiety often seems to worsen at bedtime.

You'll discover:

• Why sleep is essential for healing your heart and body
• The different stages of sleep and how they support recovery
• Why anxiety and racing thoughts often appear at night
• The anxiety-sleep cycle and how it can affect recovery
• Practical tips to improve sleep quality
• A simple technique called Cognitive Shuffling that may help calm a busy mind before sleep
• Gentle positive psychology strategies to help you create the conditions for better rest

If you've ever found yourself lying awake wondering why your mind won't switch off, this episode is for you.

Remember, recovery is hard work. Rest is not laziness. Sleep is one of the most powerful healing tools available to you.

If you enjoy this episode, please consider sharing it with someone who may benefit from hearing it.

Read the complete article here Podcast & Blog Page.

Getting to know Sallie Crawley
Survivorship after a heart attack or cardiac surgery can be challenging. You can rebuild the puzzle of your life and thrive. It takes one beat at a time and the support of people who have had similar experiences. You are not alone. Join me and other hearties in the My Heart & Mind Community, you'll get a warm welcome. You can also visit my website www.myheartandmind.co.uk. 

Disclaimer
The information contained within my podcast and on my website is for general information purposes only. It is not official health advice and is not intended to be used as such. Any action you take upon the information you find on this website is strictly at your own risk. If you have any questions relating to specific health concerns or you think you may be suffering from a medical condition, you must consult a medical professional immediately. You must also consult a medical professional before making any changes to your normal lifestyle habits. You can read my full disclaimer here. 

Sallie Crawley talks with filmmaker Andrew Pike about his experience of open-heart surgery, the emotional and cognitive aftermath that followed, and the making of his film Pumphead.

Andrew’s surgery was physically successful, but once he returned home, he began to experience confusion, disorientation, difficulty connecting with others, and a frightening sense that something was very wrong. Despite being told that his heart was doing well, Andrew knew that emotionally and mentally, he was not okay.

This conversation explores the gap that can exist between physical recovery and emotional recovery after heart surgery. Andrew shares what it felt like to be dismissed, how being told to “snap out of it” affected him, and why finding the right psychologist made such a difference.

He also talks about the making of his film Pumphead, which brought together patient stories and professional insight to explore the after-effects of open-heart surgery. Through the process of making the film, Andrew began to understand more about trauma, post-traumatic growth, being heard, and the importance of purpose in recovery.

This is a powerful and reflective conversation for anyone who has experienced open-heart surgery, heart trauma, pumphead symptoms, emotional distress after a cardiac event, or the feeling that recovery is not as simple as being “fixed”.

In this episode, we talk about:

• Andrew’s experience of open-heart surgery
• Feeling physically repaired but emotionally changed
• The confusion, disorientation and fear that followed surgery
• Why being told to “snap out of it” can make people feel worse
• The importance of being listened to by medical professionals, family and friends
• Psychological support after heart surgery
• Andrew’s experience of therapy and why it helped
• The making of the film Pumphead
• Patient stories and shared understanding
• Trauma, earlier life-threatening illness and emotional triggers
• Post-traumatic growth after a major health event
• Why recovery can change your values, interests and sense of self
• Andrew’s draft “manifesto” for people after open-heart surgery
• The need for automatic emotional support after cardiac surgery
• The message: “It’s not you. The support exists. Keep asking until you get it.”

A gentle note

This episode includes discussion of open-heart surgery, emotional distress, trauma, disorientation, psychological support, and difficult experiences after surgery. Please listen with care and pause if you need to.

This conversation is not medical advice and is not a replacement for your own medical team. If you are worried about symptoms, your heart health, your mental health, medication or your recovery, please speak to your GP, cardiologist, cardiac nurse, pharmacist or an appropriate healthcare professional.

A message from this episode

Just because your surgery went well does not mean you should be expected to feel instantly okay.

Recovery is not only physical. It is mental, emotional and practical too.

If you are struggling after open-heart surgery, you are not weak, ungrateful or failing. You may need the right support, the right words, and someone who truly listens.

You are not alone.

Read the complete article here Podcast & Blog Page.

Getting to know Sallie Crawley
Survivorship after a heart attack or cardiac surgery can be challenging. You can rebuild the puzzle of your life and thrive. It takes one beat at a time and the support of people who have had similar experiences. You are not alone. Join me and other hearties in the My Heart & Mind Community, you'll get a warm welcome. You can also visit my website www.myheartandmind.co.uk. 

Disclaimer
The information contained within my podcast and on my website is for general information purposes only. It is not official health advice and is not intended to be used as such. Any action you take upon the information you find on this website is strictly at your own risk. If you have any questions relating to specific health concerns or you think you may be suffering from a medical condition, you must consult a medical professional immediately. You must also consult a medical professional before making any changes to your normal lifestyle habits. You can read my full disclaimer here. 

Is it normal to feel anxious, frightened, angry, overwhelmed, or emotional after a heart attack, heart surgery, or another cardiac event?

The answer is yes.

In this episode, we're talking about the emotional impact of cardiac recovery and why so many people struggle with feelings that nobody warned them about.
You'll learn about the difference between the common "cardiac blues" and symptoms of trauma, including anxiety, panic, sleeplessness, avoidance, flashbacks, irritability, and fear. We'll also explore practical ways to support yourself during recovery and when it's important to seek professional help.

If you've ever wondered whether what you're feeling is normal, this episode is for you.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• Why emotional recovery is just as important as physical recovery
• Common signs of trauma after a cardiac event
• How PTSD can develop following heart surgery or a heart attack
• Simple strategies to help reduce anxiety and overwhelm
• Why talking about your experience can aid recovery
• The importance of asking for support when you need it

Remember: you are not alone, and what you're experiencing is more common than you may think.

For more support with the emotional side of cardiac recovery, explore my books The Beat Goes On and Beyond the Beat.

Read the complete article here Podcast & Blog Page.

Getting to know Sallie Crawley
Survivorship after a heart attack or cardiac surgery can be challenging. You can rebuild the puzzle of your life and thrive. It takes one beat at a time and the support of people who have had similar experiences. You are not alone. Join me and other hearties in the My Heart & Mind Community, you'll get a warm welcome. You can also visit my website www.myheartandmind.co.uk. 

Disclaimer
The information contained within my podcast and on my website is for general information purposes only. It is not official health advice and is not intended to be used as such. Any action you take upon the information you find on this website is strictly at your own risk. If you have any questions relating to specific health concerns or you think you may be suffering from a medical condition, you must consult a medical professional immediately. You must also consult a medical professional before making any changes to your normal lifestyle habits. You can read my full disclaimer here. 

Have you found yourself crying unexpectedly since your heart attack, heart surgery, cardiac arrest or cardiac diagnosis?

Perhaps the tears arrive when someone asks how you are, when a hospital letter comes through the door, when you look at your scar or when you realise how much your life has changed.

You may even feel that you should be grateful, positive or simply pleased to be alive.

But gratitude does not cancel out grief.

You can feel fortunate to have survived and still feel sad about what happened. 

You can be strong and still cry.

In this gentle Relaxamation, I will help you create a safe space to acknowledge your feelings without judgement. You will be guided through relaxation, breathing, visualisation and positive affirmations to help you understand that tears are not a sign of weakness or failure.

They can be part of the healing process.

There is no pressure to cry while listening. You may feel emotional, peaceful, numb or simply enjoy the opportunity to rest. Whatever you experience is perfectly all right.

In this Relaxamation, you will be gently supported to:

• Relax your body and release some of the tension you may be carrying
• Give yourself permission to feel sad or tearful
• Recognise that crying does not make you weak
• Treat yourself with greater compassion and patience
• Consider what your sadness may be asking you to notice
• Accept comfort and support from people you trust
• Remember that you do not always have to pretend to be all right

Today’s Affirmations

Repeat each affirmation five times as a set and practise them at least twice a day:

• I am allowed to cry.
• My feelings are part of my healing.
• I can feel deeply and still move forward.

Self-Reflection Questions

1. When I see another person crying, particularly in public, what thoughts or feelings arise in me?
2. Where, and with whom, do I feel safe enough to let my emotions show?
3. What is one gentle and comforting thing I can do for myself when I feel sad?

You may also wish to complete this sentence:

When I give myself permission to cry, I am giving myself permission to…

An Important Note

Feeling sad, low or tearful can be part of adjusting after a cardiac event. However, you do not have to cope with persistent or overwhelming sadness alone.

Please speak to your GP, cardiac rehabilitation team or another healthcare professional if your low mood continues, affects your everyday life or leaves you feeling hopeless.

If you are having thoughts about harming yourself or not wanting to be here, please seek urgent help.

This Relaxamation is intended to complement, not replace, professional medical or psychological support.

Please only listen to the relaxation section when you are somewhere safe. Do not listen while driving, operating machinery, exercising or doing anything that requires your full attention.

Read the complete article here Podcast & Blog Page.

Getting to know Sallie Crawley
Survivorship after a heart attack or cardiac surgery can be challenging. You can rebuild the puzzle of your life and thrive. It takes one beat at a time and the support of people who have had similar experiences. You are not alone. Join me and other hearties in the My Heart & Mind Community, you'll get a warm welcome. You can also visit my website www.myheartandmind.co.uk. 

Disclaimer
The information contained within my podcast and on my website is for general information purposes only. It is not official health advice and is not intended to be used as such. Any action you take upon the information you find on this website is strictly at your own risk. If you have any questions relating to specific health concerns or you think you may be suffering from a medical condition, you must consult a medical professional immediately. You must also consult a medical professional before making any changes to your normal lifestyle habits. You can read my full disclaimer here. 

The Rhythm of Recovery: Why You Feel "Disconnected" After Surgery. 

Have you had heart surgery, only to find that while your "plumbing" is mended, your mind feels like it’s still buffering? You’re not alone. Many survivors experience "Pumphead" (Post-Perfusion Syndrome), that strange sense of brain fog, anxiety, or detachment that hits after cardiopulmonary bypass.

In this episode, we’re looking at the medical side of PPS, but we’re also exploring a fascinating, holistic perspective: the "Magnetic Field Theory." We’ll discuss how the heart and brain work as a unified electromagnetic system and why a temporary "desynchronization" might be at the root of your symptoms.

Whether you’re in the thick of recovery or supporting a loved one, this episode offers a gentle roadmap back to yourself. We’ll cover:

• The Physical Reality: Why the bypass machine can leave us feeling "off."
• The Heart-Brain Handshake: Understanding the heart as your body’s Master Oscillator.
• Restoring the Rhythm: Practical, somatic, and gentle ways to help your heart and brain sync back up.

Mentioned in this episode:

• My previous article: Pumphead: Is That A Thing? 
• Trailer for Andrew Pike's Film: Pumphead. For more information about the film, this is his website. 

Read the complete article here Podcast & Blog Page.

Getting to know Sallie Crawley
Survivorship after a heart attack or cardiac surgery can be challenging. You can rebuild the puzzle of your life and thrive. It takes one beat at a time and the support of people who have had similar experiences. You are not alone. Join me and other hearties in the My Heart & Mind Community, you'll get a warm welcome. You can also visit my website www.myheartandmind.co.uk. 

Disclaimer
The information contained within my podcast and on my website is for general information purposes only. It is not official health advice and is not intended to be used as such. Any action you take upon the information you find on this website is strictly at your own risk. If you have any questions relating to specific health concerns or you think you may be suffering from a medical condition, you must consult a medical professional immediately. You must also consult a medical professional before making any changes to your normal lifestyle habits. You can read my full disclaimer here. 

After a heart event, the emotional storm can be just as taxing as the physical recovery. In this episode, we explore how Reiki, a Japanese energy healing practice, can act as a gentle lifeline to help you reclaim your calm.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The Emotional Aftermath: Dealing with the fear and "body betrayal" that often follows a heart attack.
• What is Reiki? A simple breakdown of how this non-invasive, complementary therapy works.
• The Benefits for "Hearties": From lower blood pressure to better sleep and emotional release.
• Healing Across Distance: Why you don’t need to be in the same room to feel the shift.

Ready to find your calm?

Join the waitlist for my new Heartie Membership Club and lock in your Founding Member price!

👉 www.myheartandmind.co.uk/WL006

Read the complete article here Podcast & Blog Page.

Getting to know Sallie Crawley
Survivorship after a heart attack or cardiac surgery can be challenging. You can rebuild the puzzle of your life and thrive. It takes one beat at a time and the support of people who have had similar experiences. You are not alone. Join me and other hearties in the My Heart & Mind Community, you'll get a warm welcome. You can also visit my website www.myheartandmind.co.uk. 

Disclaimer
The information contained within my podcast and on my website is for general information purposes only. It is not official health advice and is not intended to be used as such. Any action you take upon the information you find on this website is strictly at your own risk. If you have any questions relating to specific health concerns or you think you may be suffering from a medical condition, you must consult a medical professional immediately. You must also consult a medical professional before making any changes to your normal lifestyle habits. You can read my full disclaimer here. 

Have your favourite foods started tasting strange after a heart attack or heart surgery?

In this episode, we’re talking about something that doesn’t get discussed nearly enough - changes in taste after a cardiac event.

• If coffee suddenly tastes disgusting…
• If chocolate no longer hits the spot…
• If everything feels metallic, bland or just “off”…

You are not imagining it and you are not alone. In this episode, I share:

• Why taste changes can happen after heart surgery or a heart attack
• The role of nerves, blood flow and medication
• Whether it’s temporary or permanent
• Practical ways to make food enjoyable again (without adding extra salt or sugar)
• The emotional impact of losing the pleasure of food and how to cope

Recovery isn’t just physical. It’s sensory. It’s emotional. It’s personal.

If food has lost its magic, this episode will help you understand what’s happening and gently guide you forward.

Read the complete article here Podcast & Blog Page.

Getting to know Sallie Crawley
Survivorship after a heart attack or cardiac surgery can be challenging. You can rebuild the puzzle of your life and thrive. It takes one beat at a time and the support of people who have had similar experiences. You are not alone. Join me and other hearties in the My Heart & Mind Community, you'll get a warm welcome. You can also visit my website www.myheartandmind.co.uk. 

Disclaimer
The information contained within my podcast and on my website is for general information purposes only. It is not official health advice and is not intended to be used as such. Any action you take upon the information you find on this website is strictly at your own risk. If you have any questions relating to specific health concerns or you think you may be suffering from a medical condition, you must consult a medical professional immediately. You must also consult a medical professional before making any changes to your normal lifestyle habits. You can read my full disclaimer here.