BACK ON TWO WHEELS, LOVING HOW IT FEELS.

After recovering from his heart attack, Craig began cycling again. Every ride builds strength, boosts his health, and lifts his spirits.

Craig was a bus driver for 25 years. Being a professional driver, he worked unsociable hours, leading to a sedentary lifestyle. He comments that he became lethargic and adopted an “I’ll do it tomorrow attitude to life.”

Two years ago, Craig had a heart attack. He recalls that after having his tea, he felt like he had indigestion, something he didn’t normally experience. The next morning, he took the family dog for its daily walk. After walking a short distance, Craig describes feeling ‘puffy and blowy’, and by the time he got home, he felt like someone was ‘jumping on his chest’. He rang 999, and paramedics rushed him to the hospital, where he had blood tests which indicated he was having a heart attack.

“My health is much better than it was a few years prior to the heart attack. I’m definitely feeling much fitter.”

Whilst in hospital, the Cardiac Rehabilitation team asked Craig what his goals were, “I want to live, be healthy again and be able to do what I want, when I want,” he replied.

After a short recovery period in hospital, Craig was referred to a 12-week physical activity programme at his local leisure centre. Initially, Craig was hesitant, but he now attends a circuit session every Monday morning. “Coming here resets me for the week,” he shared. “Everyone is friendly and recovering from different conditions, and you can make it as easy or challenging as you wish”.

Participating in the programme has given Craig confidence to do more and rekindle his lifelong hobbies, which include walking, cycling and archery. Come rain or shine, Craig commits to going for a walk every day. Whilst walking in the countryside, he takes photos and is an active member of his local camera club. Craig shares his photographs on social media, hoping to inspire others to discover the beauty in nature for themselves.

“I’ve noticed that my pace has increased and I’ve got more stamina to walk and cycle.”

Cycling has always been Craig’s passion and he aims to cycle a couple of times a week. Once a month, Craig and a group of friends cycle together for a ‘Life Ride’. Each person takes it in turns to plan the route, revealing to the group a variety of significant places from their lives, where they lived, went to school, worked, etc. The ride is done at a leisurely pace and always involves stopping at a coffee shop. Craig is also a keen archer and is a member of a local group. Archery gives Craig a different way of moving more, alongside others with shared interests.

“My health is much better than it was a few years prior to my heart attack. I’m definitely feeling much fitter.

“I’ve noticed that my pace has increased and I’ve got more stamina to walk and cycle for longer periods of time. Despite the odd ache and pain which I think is just part of growing older, I’ve got more energy and find doing everyday tasks much easier.”

For little ways to move more with heart conditions in Lancashire visit lancashire.gov.uk/healthy-hearts

Read Angela’s story HERE