My blog has temporarily been suspended due to illness.

For those who want some information about what has happened, then my heart caught a cold last week.  The condition is called 'myocarditis'.

I caught a virus between Christmas and New Year, but it was on New Year's Eve (5am) that I developed concerning symptoms and an ambulance was called.  After various tests myocarditis was diagnosed.  The doctors wanted to conduct an angiogram to check there are no underlying heart problems, but my heart initially wasn't strong enough to justify the risk.  I went home to recuperate and returned for an angiogram in late January, which showed that everything is OK and there are no underlying heart or artery problems.

In myocarditis, a virus attacks the heart, producing symptoms that are like a heart attack.  However, it is different to a heart attack in a number of ways.  For example, there is no underlying heart disease to combat - once recovery is complete then life should return to normal.  However, I have been advised by the heart rehabilitation people to take recovery very slowly - getting involved in too much activity too quickly can permanently damage the heart.  They plan to get my involved in gym activity after about 6 months.  I have therefore cancelled all client workshops for the time being, but will continue with this blog from March onwards.

Although myocarditis is a serious condition, the outlook now is excellent and I look forward to making a full recovery.  Thank you to those who have expressed good wishes and/or enquired about my well being.  If there are any further developments, an update will be posted on this blog.

(Posted by Pete Myers on behalf of Steve Myers)