Life after a Heart Attack or Heart Surgery | Mental, Emotional & Practical Heart Health Wellness
Episodes
062 How to Overcome the Fear of Dying after a Cardiac Event
11 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
After a heart attack, cardiac arrest, or open heart surgery, something shifts. Even when your body is healing, your mind can feel on constant alert. ...
061 Relax - Every Day I Expect Magic to Happen in My Life
27 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Today, we explore the powerful intersection of brain science and belief. We dive into the Reticular Activating System (RAS) - the brain’s gatekeeper...
060 A Heart-Led Membership Club for Cardiac Recovery
12 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Heart disease isn’t just a physical journey - it’s emotional, mental, and sometimes spiritual. In this episode, I’m opening my heart to share so...
059 Frank’s Crease - Your Earlobe’s Secret Heart Clue or Just Skin Deep?
29 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever noticed a diagonal crease on your earlobe and wondered if it means something serious?In this episode, we explore Frank’s Crease (also ...
058 Embracing the Both/And Mindset for Heart Health Recovery
16 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever felt grateful to be alive… and deeply anxious at the same time?Relieved your surgery is over… and frustrated that recovery feels slo...
057 Travelling Abroad with a Heart Condition, after a Heart Attack or Cardiac Surgery
04 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Can You Really Go on Holiday After a Heart Attack or Surgery? Here’s How to Travel Without WorryPlanning a holiday after a heart attack, heart surge...
056 Cardiac Podcast Rename with a Chance to Win a Heart Recovery Book
23 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The hospital fixed your heart, but who is helping you heal your mind? After 55 episodes of navigating the emotional, mental, and practical side of ...
Relaxamation - I Adapt and Adjust to What Is
04 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
A relaxamation to help you adapt to life’s changes after a heart attack or cardiac surgery. I will guide you through a gentle journey of relaxatio...
Journey to End-of-Life Peace: Planning with Love, Purpose & Kindness
21 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
End-of-life planning doesn’t have to be scary. In this episode, Sallie Crawley gently guides you through how to plan your care, medical wishes, and ...
GTN & Vasodilators - Managing Angina Effectively
07 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I will explain what vasodilators are, the difference between short-acting and long-acting nitrates, and how to use GTN spray and tabl...
Why Saying THE Heart Attack vs MY Heart Attack Matters
31 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Reclaiming Your Life Story: Why “A Heart Attack” or “The Heart Attack” Matters More Than “My Heart Attack”. The words we use to describe ...
Relaxamation - I Trust Myself to find Moderation
24 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
I will guide you through a relaxamation session that supports balanced living and moderation during the festive season. Using gentle relaxation, body ...
Quitting Smoking - The Voice That Says You Can’t
17 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Today, I explore the hidden psychology behind why it can be so difficult to quit smoking after a cardiac event, especially when you’ve tried before....
Love, Intimacy & Sex after a Heart Attack or Surgery
10 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Intimacy, love, and sexual connection can feel complicated after a heart attack, cardiac arrest or surgery but they are a vital part of your recovery ...
Ejection Fraction (EF) – Understanding Your Heart’s Strength
03 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Understanding your ejection fraction (EF) can feel confusing, especially after a heart attack, heart surgery, or when living with heart disease. In th...
Can you have a Happy Brain after a Heart Attack or Heart Surgery
26 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Alcohol and Your Heart: Finding Balance After a Heart Attack or Cardiac Surgery
19 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Self Care After a Cardiac Event isn't Selfish
18 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Relaxamation - I Have the Right to Be Happy
11 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 someth...
A Self-Soothing Toolbox for your Heart & Mind Health
04 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Coming Home: What the Early Months After a Heart Attack Really Feel Like
28 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 t...
From Trauma to Triumph – Embracing Post-Traumatic Growth After a Heart Event
21 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Beat the Heat and Stay Heart-Healthy
14 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Summer can bring unique challenges for those with cardiac conditions. This episode provides actionable advice on staying cool, hydrated, and recognisi...
Mindset and Cardiac Rehabilitation, Is There a Connection?
07 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
I challenge the notion that "you can't think yourself better" after a life-altering cardiac event. While it's crucial to acknowled...
Relaxamation - I Cope With Uncertainty (20 minutes)
30 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
An Emotional Roller Coaster Ride after a Heart Attack or Heart Surgery
23 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A cardiac event, whether a heart attack or surgery, doesn't just impact your physical health; it can dramatically affect your emotional well-bein...
Introducing Healthy Hearts & Happy Minds!
16 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Join me for an exciting announcement! My Facebook page, formerly known as "Heart Attack, Heart Surgery & Heart Disease Survivors Support Grou...
Can PTSD be caused by a heart attack, cardiac arrest or open-heart surgery?
09 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
I confront the reality of trauma and PTSD following cardiac events like heart attacks, cardiac arrest, or open-heart surgery. It's a question man...
Pumphead, Is That a Thing? (Post-Perfusion Syndrome)
29 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
I dive into "Pumphead," or Post-Perfusion Syndrome, the post-operative brain fog many experience after heart bypass surgery. We'll cove...
Rebuilding the Engine with Triple Bypass Surgery - John Fraser's Story
03 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Join me in this powerful and candid interview with John Fraser, who shares his remarkable journey through a triple coronary artery bypass graft (CABG)...
Relaxamation - Today Is My Day (13 minutes)
03 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Embracing Awe: The Surprising Connection Between Wonder and Cardiac Wellbeing
25 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Relaxamation - I Am In Charge of How I Feel (13 minutes)
17 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Dalai Lama said, “Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional.” To me, the quote means that experiencing pain, physical and emotional, is a natu...
Stress Less, Live More: 5 Breathing Methods to Improve Cardiac Health and Emotional Well-Being
08 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
I am sure that like me you experience stress and anxiety. I thought that prior to my heart attack, I had it pretty much nailed anxiety and that I mana...
A Journey of Survival and Resilience with Jon Johnston
07 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
My interview with Jon Johnston. He’s a survivor of a widow maker heart attack and a cardiac arrest that caused him to be without oxygen for 20 minut...
Finding Your Sweet Spot with Cheryl Strachan
28 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week is about nutrition, and my guest is Cheryl Strachan of Sweet Spot Nutrition. She is a Registered Dietitian, specialising in cardiac nutritio...
Cardiac Fiction Egregious Fortune By Aaron David
24 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today’s episode is going to be rather different; it’s going to be a fictional story. It’s a story of someone that had a heart attack although it...
Relaxamation - I Am Whole, Healthy & Complete
29 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Quit hiding your magic! You are UNIQUE, you are the only one like you. You have one of a kind fingerprints, not even identical twins have matching one...
Fatigue management tips when you have a heart health diagnosis
28 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This week I am talking more about "how-to" live life with fatigue and minimise the impact. I talk through more tools, rules and ideas to hel...
Relaxamation - Forgiveness Is A Gift
22 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
For a full understanding of what my relaxamations are make sure you catch up with my episode called Relaxamations to relax and energise when living wi...
Relaxamations Explained - The Big Calm & The Feel Good Factor
21 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Today I am going to tell you about my relaxamation technique and how it can help you to relax and energise when living with heart disease. </p>I...
Fatigue, the What, the Why and the How To Work It Out
14 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
I recently asked in my Facebook community how have people been feeling since their cardiac event or diagnosis. The top answers were Fatigue, Sleep Iss...
Interview with Sallie Crawley by Brian Simpson, a ruptured Achilles, a heart attack and breast cancer
01 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
A few months ago, I invited Brian Simpson, the Heart Attack Thriver to be on my podcast. He turned the tables on me and invited me to be his guest on ...
Interview with Jakki Woywitka, the Healthy Heart Coach
24 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
At the age of 36, she was diagnosed with Congestive Heart Failure. Idiopathic Cardiomyopathy and Aortic Stenosis. This was from having an undiagnosed ...
Interview with Tony Richens-Smith, a heart attack during Covid-19 lockdown
17 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In January 2020 Tony decided to change his life and pursue his passion for working as a dog behaviourist. It was probably not the best timing but he m...
Interview with Ashley Reaver, Registered Dietician - Lowering your cholesterol one meal at a time
10 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Ashley specialises in helping people with high cholesterol live a long, healthy life without feeling powerless to control their numbers because of the...
Interview with Angela Hartley, Cardiac Nurse & Exercise Coach - Rehabilitation exercise on your terms
03 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Angela is an exercise coach and a cardiac nurse. In the last seven years, she’s been specialising in cardiac rehabilitation exercise.She has quite a...
Interview with Brian Simpson – The Heart Attack Thriver, how having a heart attack changed his life for the better
29 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Brian suffered a massive heart attack at the age of 48. Prior to that he was exceptionally healthy and lived a very active life. His heart attack occ...
Interview with Sara Bushnell - Having a heart attack in a work meeting far from home and an important discovery
22 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Sara was fit, healthy and ate a good diet. She had been experiencing regular headaches and stress, at one point thought her blood pressure machine mus...
Interview with Steve Wrigley - Having a cardiac arrest at 30,000 feet and recovering from a heart attack in Singapore
15 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Steve Wrigley was flying home when he had a heart attack on the plane. He was fit and healthy, he loved adventure holidays that revolved around cyclin...
Interview with Ray Bishop – Misdiagnosed more than once, having a forgiving heart and becoming the music man.
01 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Ray was born with Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome. This did not affect his quality of life until after he had developed coronary heart disease. He was ...
Interview with Tena Kennedy – Life with chronic illnesses, it’s good to talk
25 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Just before her 50th birthday Tena was admitted to hospital with unstable angina, and this was just the beginning of her story. Tena lives with many c...
Interview with Eliza Bell, a transplant chat
11 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In February 2019, Eliza (aged 20) had a successful heart transplant recipient at Papworth Hospital in Cambridgeshire, UK. It was a life-saving event t...
Interview with Claire Berouche, heart failure and being a hero
04 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Claire was nominated in 2020 for the BHF Heart Hero Awards. She has contributed in amazing ways to raise awareness of heart failure and has had many T...
Interview with Sanjay Shah, life after 3 heart attacks
25 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Sanjay made a massive difference to my state of mind during the early days of my recovery from my heart attack. A random stranger and an act of random...
Direction: A winning tactic is to just do it
20 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Trying to find direction after a cardiac event. I discuss how to be able to take action on your unique path of life you need to have direction and f...
Confidence: Having belief about being lucky
13 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Gaining confidence with life after a cardiac event. Having confidence is another mindset that is important during recovery after a heart-related hea...
Purpose: A to-day list rather than a to-do list
06 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Having purpose when living with a heart condition. Today I chat about purpose. I’ll talk about what it means when living after a cardiac event. I...
Hope: You can change your expectation
30 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Hope helps when living with a heart condition. This week I am sharing with you my thoughts around the mindset of hope. How having hope after a cardiac...
Energy: Fun and laughter the quick fix
23 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Creating energy for living with a heart condition. In this episode, I will introduce you to another of my mindsets that I think underpins our emotiona...
Acceptance: Breath, an undervalued wellbeing tool
16 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Finding acceptance when living with a heart condition. In this episode, I talk about acceptance and how having it contributes to emotional wellbeing a...
Introduction: Sallie Crawley, what's she all about?
08 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In my trailer episode, I introduce myself, who I am, what I do and my experience. I chat about how my podcast can help you if you have had a heart att...