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As a I learn how to manage my own health issues I will share tips and suggestions, mostly online

16/12/2025

So, what, for you, is that thing that even in the smallest of doses, gives you a real lift?

That’s a question I ask often of people. When working one to one I like to ask questions which get people talking and into more positive frames of mind.

This is my Triumph Bonneville and is one of my medicines. Delightedly I got a wee dose today. I’ve not been on it for at least 3 months. It was such a priority coming home from Spain. The weather, some appointments and some pain kept me from getting out until today.

I only went a short distance, a few miles down the road and back. It’s cold here today and the roads are damp. I was wrapped up like I was heading to Greenland! My fingers are cold on warm days now (meds). I’m back home 2 hours and they’re only now thawing out.

But by heavens, the delight, the joy, the pleasure of getting this jaunt was off the scale.

I’ve no idea when I’ll be out on the bike again. That wee top up certainly worked wonders.

You’ll maybe guess today’s top tip then. Whatever it is for you, that wee dose of something that so lifts you, well, make it happen. Even if only for the littlest of time.

Such mini treats are good for us.

Cheers

Paul

13/12/2025

We all have habits, some are good, some less so. Many of us can pretty quickly name some that are very much in the “bad” category.

I’m guessing here but, if pushed, you could also tell me about some of your habits that are in the “brilliant” category. My sense is that I’d need to push though.

They are “automatic behaviours or routines performed regularly with little conscious thought, formed through repetition to achieve goals.”

I am a keen cook. I’m certainly not the best cook but it is something I truly enjoy. Now we’re home from Spain I’m back in the kitchen, one of my happy places, and trying new things.

“Pan con tomate y aceite” is currently my go to breakfast. True, there’s little cooking in it. Chop a tomato, add a glug of olive oil and a pinch of salt and there you go, Bob’s your uncle. I also add in a decent amount of garlic.

Lightly toasted crusty bread and a cup of hot black coffee - tasty treat. And a healthier breakfast. Tomatoes, garlic and olive oil - much better than inch thick butter.

Having options is a good thing. The more of them you have, then the greater your chances of success.

For example, the more tasty treats than I can have then the less I rely on the old “problematic” staples.

If your health has changed significantly and you’re having to make changes this options thing is really important.

And not just where breakfast is concerned.

Cheers

Paul

09/12/2025

I had my first cigarette when I was 11. Unfiltered, it was a Park Drive, a proper cigarette. I eventually stopped smoking in the early 90’s. Soon after however I started on ci**rs. At least 5 a day, inhaling the darned things too. Stopped those in 2004.

Perhaps smoking contributed to my heart problems. It could also have been other things; poor diet, overweight, excessive, prolonged stress, not sleeping well at times.

No matter, what’s done is done. My focus now is on change. Specifically, on making changes that will help me hang around a good while longer.

So, 25 smokes a day to 10 tablets a day. That’s one of many changes.

Whilst in Spain I thought a lot about the changes I have made and am making. I mention smoking because I find it incredibly useful to look back. I especially see that I have changed many things. Things that used to be so, so important. And they just aren’t anymore.

You’ll have many examples of your own, of things you changed, sometimes in an instant. You made a decision and bingo, job done.

Whatever your health challenges now it’s worth remembering that change, whilst not always easy, still happens. A lot. We all do it, often without knowing how.

Granted, there are times when you might need some help from someone else. Looking backwards, bringing to mind some of those changes and then using all of that to help you change now is certainly a good start.

More soon

Paul

03/12/2025

When packing for this trip we were determined to travel as lightly as possible. It was quite a thing then having to add 350 tablets to the case (I take 10 tablets per day). It wasn’t that they were heavy, it was just odd. I also know that there are others who must take even more with them when they travel.

Our plan was to stay for a minimum of one month. Mission accomplished, we got 36 days.

I am now beginning to believe that the meds are working. There were maybe two little incidents when my heart reminded me that care is needed. Otherwise, and please pardon the pun, it never missed a beat.

Well, not that I noticed at any rate. This week I am back at a new cardiac rehab series. Tomorrow I am at the hospital to have a holter monitor fitted. Over the following 24 hours this will measure my heart rate.

In that sense then we are now home and back to “normal” living.

We are also mightily determined to keep and further develop some of what we experienced. It was a most fabulous trip, with much to reflect on. I’ve described it to family and friends in a number of ways; a reset, a replenishment, a refreshment, a release even.

The word that most describes it however is transformative. There is plenty still to unpack then.

More soon.

Cheers for now

Paul

05/11/2025

Speaking Spanish as much as possible is important to us on this trip. So too is sampling new things to eat.

The wonderful range of tapas and their modest pricing sure helps.

So far, amongst other things, we’ve had a pork cheek stew, cold black pudding, a cut of cheese with a seriously salty anchovy on top, tuna tartar - all were top notch nosh.

And yes, we’re ordering in Spanish - well, our version of it!

For quite some while now I’ve also been working on eating less and eating better (it’s a cardiac thing).

Thinking back I see that I used to tuck away some large plates of food. And at top speed as well.

This big plates of food thing is part of a phenomenon known as “portion distortion”. There’s a link in the comments to a British Heart Foundation report on how food manufacturers, retailers and others have contributed to the phenomenon.

It’s not on them of course. I am totally at cause here.

Here in Cadiz, having 2 or 3 tapas between us, late afternoon, has become one of our regular evening meals. This will continue when we get home. Along with smaller plates of course (already begun).

Lifestyle and changing some long running habits is a top priority now. In this case, accepting home truths and revising portion sizes is certainly a change that will make a difference.

Cheers

Paul

11/10/2025

In recent times I’ve noticed a few more people wearing masks. Interesting I thought. I’ve now joined in.

Friday week ago we were walking through Edinburgh Airport. Up ahead a man and a woman approached. When about 10 yards or so away, the lady began coughing. It was a dry, raking cough which had her nearly doubled over.

Much like the one I have now!

On Monday the lurgi landed on me. I called it a cold. Interestingly, Una called it a flu. No matter. I felt, and still feel pretty grotty on it. This week has been mostly bed to armchair, armchair to bed.
This whole business got me thinking about how some things might actually be worth holding onto.

I went out for a very short while yesterday, mask on. Yes, there were one or two odd looks.

It could have been the lady in the airport. It could have been on the packed flight to and from Edinburgh, or the busy restaurant where we had lunch. I’ve no idea where I picked this up and it really doesn’t matter. Cold or flu, my goal when this is on me is to make sure that I don’t pass it on.

We are now in the cold/flu season. You might well have a packet of masks tucked away somewhere. Might be worth having a look see and hunting them out.

06/10/2025

The pilot came on the intercom. “There might be a few bumps but once we’re up it should be smooth,”

That is the last thing I heard. Concerns about storm Amy completely dissolved. Just as the wheels lifted off the ground that was me, out like the proverbial.

And as is my habit, I rejoined Una, back in the waking world, moments before the pilot said “cabin crew, 10 mins to landing.” And there we were, landed in Edinburgh for a weekend stay with one of our sons.

Power napping is an important part of life for me now. It is absolutely good for my health - mental, emotional and physical. If it’s something you’d like to learn to do, do please get in touch.

Cheers

Paul

04/09/2025

“Without data you are just another person with an opinion.” That quote from data scientist, W. Edwards Deming, totally describes the key message from Tuesday’s meeting with the electro-cardiologist.

The visit was inconclusive, the view however was magnificent.

The heart rate spike events that I get cannot be dealt with until we have better intel.

A Holter monitor test is being arranged. This is a small, portable device that continuously records the heart's electrical activity (ECG) for 24 hours to a week. It provides a detailed record of the heart rhythm over time, unlike a standard ECG which only captures activity at a single moment.

I’ve had one of these before. It didn’t show a whole bunch.

I might go ahead and upgrade my watch to one that records ECG. This is not a medical grade device - I fully appreciate that. It might though give the medics some further background information.

Do you wear a watch that tracks your activity, up to heart rate and ECG? Did you go this route for fitness or for heart health reasons? Do you find it useful?

I am keen to hear back about how you use it and what benefits it gives you.

Cheers for now.

Paul

02/09/2025

Mondays Will Not Be The Same

Yesterday I attended the Cardiac Rehab class for the last time. That’s me, all done.

It’s up to me now to implement what I learned and to lock in those key exercise routines that will help my heart.

This post is a huge public thank you to the team that so warmly welcomed us in, were always in tip top form and who looked after us so, so well. In the last three sessions I had a “spike” in my heart rate. They attended to me immediately, patiently and kindly.

This team of 4 go about their business week in, week out. Given the high incidence of heart disease here, they will never be short of people to help.

I must also mention those fellow attendees that I most connected with. Physical co-ordination was a key for some of the exercises. I was never good at that. A couple of class mates kept me right.

And as we all agreed, in the nicest possible way, we hope never to meet in an NHS setting ever again.

Thanks everyone

Cheers

Paul

31/08/2025

💤 The power of a power nap…

After some decent walks on the previous 2 days, on Friday, we set off on the coastal path to Hollywood. With my splint on, walking stick at the ready, I was determined this time to set a new personal best. And I did, knocking 10 minutes off my previous best. No heart rate spikes, no stops, just a good, solid decently paced walk.

The afternoon told a different tale. It all caught up with me. The walks, and not having taken any account of being just home from hospital, all combined. I was properly pooped.

I pushed on for a while and then realised, resistance is both silly and futile. I took a different option: coffee, two alarms (my watch and my internal clock), and a quick nap.

Within a minute or two I was out cold… and woke feeling refreshed, restored, and ready to go again.

Sometimes the smartest thing isn’t pushing through — it’s resting well.

👉 Do you nap? If so, I’d love to hear if it works for you too.

28/08/2025

Back walking again after hospital, and my first walks have been full of fresh air, soft rain, and small joys.

My first solo outing was yesterday morning, walking from Marino, down to Seapark and on to Holywood (where the most recent excitement happened last week).

Did the walk, no problem.

Out again early this morning, different walk this time, longer. Again did well, no spikes, excellent pace.

The plan now is to walk more. And I’ll be doing it differently. The pace at which I walk, the length of my stride and my heart rate will enjoy more attention. I will still enjoy the fullest sensory experience - the sights, the sounds, the smells, the feelings.

Yesterday I especially enjoyed walking into a stiff breeze and watching the small waves at Seapark.

It was raining when we went out this morning. Walking through Crawfordsburn Country Park we both noticed how the rain somehow intensified the colours of the trees and plants. Una especially noticed the silence.

It was a lovely walk, also managed to go at a decent clip.

Do you walk much, often? If you do, what’s your favourite walk? One that always lifts your spirits?

Cheers

Paul

26/08/2025

Funny how silence can sometimes feel louder than noise…

It’s the treadmill cardiac test today and I am so hoping they find something.

If they do and it’s something they can fix I’m told they’ll go straight ahead and do that. Depends what they find.

If they don’t find anything, the consultant has a couple of ideas about how to proceed.

Today is also a change in the routine. Being in hospital this time has been different. I have plenty with me to work on and read. Focusing however has been difficult.

It might be that I’m in a room. It’s lovely, really very good. At other times when I’ve been in hospital I’ve been on a corridor. Somehow and strange as it might seem, that suited me better.

Perhaps I’m odd.

I’ve had lots of visitors. Family and friends. The nurses are in and out quite a number of times a day. And then of course it’s meal time. You know how getting something to eat on a long flight is such a highlight. This feels similar.

The thing is, when the door and blinds are closed, there is a sense of separation.

I truly do not mind being alone with my thoughts. The fact is, I quite like that. Somehow though, this is different. Even when at school studying in silence was a challenge. I like noise.

So long as it is contained and, sometimes, only so long as it is noise of my choosing.

What about you? When concentrating do you need absolute silence? Or like me, you need something else?

I’d love to hear your thoughts — silence or noise?

Cheers,�
Paul

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