One of our favourite things to do at Parkwood is celebrate YOU, our fabulous members!
This month, the award goes to Vesna.
Below is Vesna’s story in her own words:
“In February 2020, I developed a cough that went on for about two weeks. However, I carried on running, spinning and lifting throughout the two weeks.
After my last run, my Apple watch alerted me that my resting heart rate was 125. My usual resting heart rate was 52.
This alert happened a further four times, and I ended up in A&E. I was told "Mrs Gudgin, it looks like you have had a heart attack."
I then found out I also had Covid. Unknowingly, I had carried on exercising hard for those two weeks, whilst having Covid and this subsequently affected my heart.
At the age of 42 and a mother of two boys, I was devastated. It took me eight months to recover and to get my heart rate back to a stable level.
For a few months, even if I stood up, my heart rate would go to 200. As you can imagine, this was a terrifying time for myself and my family.
With the help of medication that I now have to take for life, and with the help and encouragement of my husband, and the staff at Parkwood Health & Fitness, especially Gavin & Chris, I have made a full recovery.
I started my recovery journey by walking outdoors and also gently walking up and down the pool, before progressing to a very slow swimming pace. Initially, I would almost cling onto the side of the swimming pool, as I was so scared that I would have another heart attack, as the first one occurred whilst undertaking exercise. I felt very vulnerable both physically and mentally.
I have gone from becoming very unfit after my heart attack in 2020 and very scared, to giving it my all in the classes that I now attend.
Gavin's and Chris' support and their kindness has meant the world to both me and my family. They have been a huge support and help in my recovery journey."
