My Heart & Mind with Sallie Crawley - Life after a Heart Attack or Cardiac Surgery

Understanding your ejection fraction (EF) can feel confusing, especially after a heart attack, heart surgery, or when living with heart disease. In this episode  I break down EF in simple, relatable terms and explains why it matters for your heart health.

You’ll learn:

• What ejection fraction is and what the numbers mean
• Why EF matters for your energy, oxygen flow, and overall wellbeing
• How EF is measured and what to ask your doctor
• ...

Discover how to boost your happiness and improve your heart health after a cardiac event. In this episode, I explain how stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline impact your recovery, and how “happy hormones” - dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin, and endorphins - can help you feel joyful, motivated, and connected. Learn practical tips for regulating these hormones and reclaiming your life after heart surgery or a heart attack.

Key Ta...

Many people worry about whether alcohol is off-limits after a cardiac event. In this episode, I explore the effects of alcohol on the heart, the truth about moderation, and practical strategies to enjoy life safely. 

Learn:

• How alcohol affects heart health and medications
• What moderation really looks like
• Practical tips for reducing intake without feeling deprived
• Benefits of mindful drinking and reducing alcohol for heart recovery
<...

Me, Myself, and I, today I tackle the myth that self-care is selfish and learn why it's actually an essential practice for our well-being after a heart attack or cardiac surgery. I use the powerful analogy of the airplane oxygen mask to understand why we must take care of ourselves first before we can effectively help others.
I also dive into the transformative power of mindset, sharing a personal journey from self-critici...

In today’s guided Relaxamation, I invite you to pause, breathe, and reconnect with the truth that happiness is your right and not a reward or something you have to earn. Whether you’re recovering from a heart attack, adjusting to life with heart failure, or living with any form of heart disease, this is your time to remember: you can feel joy, peace, and calm—even in the midst of uncertainty.

You’ll be gently guided through a soothi...

Today, we're talking about A powerful tool to help you manage those overwhelming moments of worry, stress, and anxiety that can often accompany a cardiac event: creating your very own Self-Soothing Toolbox.

Sallie shares why this "emergency kit" for your emotions is so much more than just a coping mechanism – it's a proactive step towards improving your mental and physical health. She explains how to create your ...

What are the early months after a heart attack really like?" It's a question that brings back memories of my own uncertainty after leaving the hospital, stepping back into a life that suddenly felt unfamiliar. I just didn't have a clue what to expect!

In this episode, I'll explore what those first few days, weeks, and months can bring, both physically and emotionally, and share how you can navigate them with stre...

Today, I'm diving deep into a topic I touched on previously in episode 035, about "Can trauma and PTSD be caused by a heart attack, cardiac arrest, or open-heart surgery." This time, I want to share how even after a traumatic event, feeling good is not only possible but something you're absolutely allowed to do. I'm talking about moving From Trauma to Triumph: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) versus so...

Summer can bring unique challenges for those with cardiac conditions. This episode provides actionable advice on staying cool, hydrated, and recognising the signs of heat-related stress, all tailored to help you protect your heart. Sallie shares her expertise and personal insights, guiding you through crucial precautions and lifestyle adjustments that can make a significant difference during hot spells.

Key Takeaways:

• Understandi...

I challenge the notion that "you can't think yourself better" after a life-altering cardiac event. While it's crucial to acknowledge the trauma and negative emotions, we delve into the powerful connection between your mindset and your cardiac recovery.

We explore:

• The Nuance of Positive Thinking: It's not about being relentlessly positive, but understanding how your thoughts influence your feelings, actio...

Today I’ve been thinking about how much energy we spend trying to predict, control or prepare for every possible outcome in life… especially when we’re living with a health condition.

It’s completely natural, we want certainty because it feels safe. And when your body isn’t behaving predictably, or when your health is uncertain, it’s easy to feel like the ground beneath you is shifting. Even the smallest decisions can feel overwhelm...

A cardiac event, whether a heart attack or surgery, doesn't just impact your physical health; it can dramatically affect your emotional well-being. In this episode, we explore the emotional roller coaster ride that often follows, akin to the stages of grief. 

We discuss:

• Grief Beyond Loss: How losing your "old life" after a cardiac event is a valid form of grief.
• The Change Curve: A model based on Elisabeth Kubler-R...

Join me for an exciting announcement! My Facebook page, formerly known as "Heart Attack, Heart Surgery & Heart Disease Survivors Support Group," is officially rebranding to Healthy Hearts & Happy Minds! 🎉 

This new name truly reflects my mission: to support and empower individuals living with or recovering from a heart attack, heart surgery or cardiac diagnosis on their journey to a healthier and happier life.

In t...

I confront the reality of trauma and PTSD following cardiac events like heart attacks, cardiac arrest, or open-heart surgery. It's a question many ask, and the answer is a definitive yes. I discuss:

• The Reality of Trauma: How life-changing cardiac events can make your own body feel unsafe, and why these feelings are normal.
• What is PTSD? Understanding symptoms like re-living events, heightened anxiety (hyperarousal), rage, g...

I dive into "Pumphead," or Post-Perfusion Syndrome, the post-operative brain fog many experience after heart bypass surgery. We'll cover:

• What is Pumphead? Common symptoms like brain fog, confusion, and dizziness.
• Why does it occur? Theories involving the perfusion machine and heart handling.
• Recognising Symptoms: How to identify signs like imbalance, difficulty problem-solving, or mood changes.
• Treatment & Recov...

Join me in this powerful and candid interview with John Fraser, who shares his remarkable journey through a triple coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. At 66, John, a previously active individual, faced unexpected heart issues, leading to a life-changing operation. Listen as John details his experiences from initial symptoms and diagnosis to the challenges of surgery and recovery.

In this episode, John opens up about:

• The...

Today’s episode is a relaxamation and it focuses on taking time for yourself and putting yourself first.

When was the last time you spent a whole day just for yourself, doing only what you wanted to do when you wanted to do it? I don’t do it very often myself and yet I know that I should. 

It’s an essential part of self-care. Self-care shouldn’t be for when you’re burnt out, uptight, stressed and feeling awful it should be used as pa...

I am not sure about you but does your cardiac event consume your life? Is your heart health at the centre of everything that you do or think? 

Awe is an emotion characterised by a sense of reverence or wonder in response to something perceived as vast or great. Something outside of yourself. It has been shown to have several potential health benefits. 

Today I am going to talk about awe as it has been shown to have a positive impact ...

The Dalai Lama said, “Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional.” To me, the quote means that experiencing pain, physical and emotional, is a natural and unavoidable part of life, but whether or not we experience suffering as a result of that pain is a choice that we can make. In other words, we can choose to let the pain control and consume us, causing suffering, or we can choose to accept the pain and manage it in a healthy and c...