It’s been a minute since I posted on my blog. Let’s say life got in the way. The focus on The Basque Wife is shifting from the recipes I have previously posted to more heart-healthy fare.

I had a life-changing event in October. I had a heart attack. Not the chest-clutching, falling, heart-stopping attack that you see on TV and in movies. I discovered that those are not as common, especially for women. Women present with symptoms that are often mistaken for panic attacks, acid reflux, flu, aging, or other conditions. After a couple of weeks of shortness of breath and fatigue, I went to my family doctor. Nothing was jumping out at him, so I had some tests done, and they were all negative. I was going to have a stress test, but before that happened, I found myself in the ER with the symptoms I had before, plus light pressure on my chest and extremely high blood pressure.  St. Luke’s Magic Valley Medical Center staff in Twin Falls, Idaho, were terrific. After several blood tests, the doctor established that I had a heart attack. I met with the cardiologist in the ER and was scheduled for an angioplasty the following morning, where a stent was inserted in an artery that was 99% blocked. This was a shock as I walked a lot, 2-4 miles a day, ate relatively healthy, and was a little overweight. I do have a family history of heart disease, so genetics had something to do with it, along with high cholesterol. I have been on statins for years.

I started cardiac rehab in December at St. Luke’s Lifestyle Medicine. I’m on a three-day-a-week, 12-week course. The medically supervised program provides heart-related education, counseling support, monitored exercise, nutrition counseling, and stress management to promote healthy habits so I can continue to live an active life. The staff of nurses, physical therapists, nutritionists, and exercise physiologists are a fantastic group that have helped, encouraged, educated, and made me feel safe working out again. Their guidance, knowledge, and care have made going to cardiac rehab an enjoyable experience I don’t want to end.

Meditation has helped me tremendously. I am a calmer version of myself. I use the Calm and Hallow apps in the morning and evening for about 15 minutes each session. I sleep so much better after meditating at night.

I eat a more plant-based diet, focusing on whole grains, beans, nuts, fruits, and vegetables. I still have the occasional steak, but my freezer now has more fish. Cooking from scratch is more important than ever. I always read food labels, but now I’m looking at sodium, sugar, and fat content. It’s amazing how much sodium is in canned goods like diced tomatoes. The difference in sodium on a low sodium vs regular can be 165 mg. One dish can make a big difference when I am limited to 2000 mg daily. My husband can add salt to any dish I make, and he has been great as I not only change the way I eat but, by default, have also changed how he eats. Having been a sugar addict most of my life, I am now limiting my sugar intake. I am still baking, but now it’s sourdough bread.

I advise all women (and men) to listen to your body. If something feels off, go to the doctor. Also, check out the American Heart Association website to increase your knowledge of heart disease and strokes. February is American Heart Month, and this year means more to me than in years past. I’m glad to be here and sharing my recipes with you all.