Looking on the Bright Side of COVID-19

“When the going gets tough, the tough gets going.” In the face of COVID-19, 60-year-old Kirti, a university lecturer, chooses to adopt a positive attitude to take on challenges that the pandemic brings.

SHF: How are you feeling in relation to COVID-19?

Kirti: Of course, I am worried because if I contract the virus, it will be difficult for my family and myself. As a precaution, even before the circuit breaker period started, I had limited the time I spend outside to reduce exposure and keep us and my students safe, as I needed to interact closely with my students during classes.

How are you coping?

I conduct my lectures via an online platform now. I am taking it positively as I am learning new things during this circuit breaker period.

I usually wake up early and do some exercises at home before conducting my e-lessons or attending to other aspects of my work. I include light weights and a resistance band in my exercises, things I learned during my rehab sessions at SHF and NUH. I also follow the exercise videos produced by SHF. I appreciate the effort SHF has put in to help us patients keep our exercise routine. It motivates me to continue exercising.

Tell us about your heart episode.

My heart attack in November 2018 was quite unexpected as I did not experience the common heart attack symptoms. In addition, when I went to the A&E, my blood test, x-ray and ECG results were all normal. However, after repeating the tests some hours later, the doctor told me that 95% of my artery was blocked.

Looking back, I would say that the cause of my heart attack was possibly due to my family history as my father also had heart attack. Also, despite having a healthy diet, I did not exercise enough.

After my procedure, I joined the HWC at Bukit Gombak in early 2019 and have been attending the rehab sessions at least twice a week.

How has cardiac rehabilitation helped you?

At the beginning after my procedure, the side effects from my medication limited my ability to exercise or take a walk. I felt I wasn’t coping as well as the others in the rehab group.

However, with much support from my family, the Caring Hearts Support Group at NUH and the staff from SHF, I have learnt how to control my anxiety when my heart rate increases suddenly and manage any pain.

The sessions at SHF have helped me both mentally and physically, allowing me to better manage my situation and overcome my fear when my heart rate suddenly increases. I will give SHF 5 stars for its affordable rate and good facilities and dedicated staff members.

Any encouraging message for your fellow heart patients in the time of COVID-19?

Taking precautionary measures is our responsibility, so don’t engage in activities that can compromise your own health and be socially responsible.

Watch other heart patients narrate their heart attack episode and road to recovery in this video by Our Grandfather Story.