Heart Disease: Let’s Talk About the Emotional Side

About cardiac issues. Probably about 98% of those reported are traceable to Genetic patterns, at least in part. I happen to have about 10 active genes which touch on the heart. So that is the first thing one should arrange at the first real sign of cardiac problems. Most of the good sequencers are now charging less than $400 for a good screening of the whole genome. And it is very simple. Also, various scans are very helpful, especially echocardiography, which is the easiest ant perhaps the best for many cardiac issues. And finally, a very good test is simple. "How do you feel?" Pain in the middle of your chest? does the top of your head get cold? Do you feel your heart pounding or fluttering or stuttering? How does your O2 level read at various places around your body--toes, fingers, ears, nose, tongue. Finally, af the local doc says you don't have any problems, you probably have a pile of them. And almost every person has some heart problem. Cardiomegaly, etc.

@oldkarl You've provided some interesting information, especially about genetic patterns.

Could you share a bit more about how you went about getting a screening of the whole genome? For example, where did you get the information, who did you contact, was your doctor's approval needed, did insurance cover any of the cost, etc.?

@oldkarl- Nice to see your post again. Have missed them Karl!. When you mention getting a good screening of the whole genome such as a Echocardiography, do I need to request this in addition to say having an Echo? I'm tentatively scheduled to have another Echo in 2 months after bringing my Lisinopril up to 40 mg. over this past year. Thanks much! Jim@thankful

I was fit, a taut 160 lbs, exercised daily, no smoking or drugs, no alcohol and was diagnosed with Stage IV heart failure in April of 2019. I was told I needed emergency valve surgery to keep me alive and a likely heart transplant in subsequent years. The valve surgery provided a temporary bump in health, followed by a six month decline and a referral to the Mayo Heart Transplant team in Phoenix in November of 2019. I made the list and received my new heart on December 30, 2019. So I have had my share of surprise diagnoses, severe surgeries, and dark nights, I remember when "they" told me I had a failed heart and needed surgery to stay alive. I turned to my wife with a tear in my eye and said, "This was not part of the f'n plan!" She, who never swears, grabbed my hand and calmly said, "Then we change the f'n plan." That said, I side with a previous respondent who experienced no depression but a sense of awe. I was raised in a household where complaining was not allowed. Problems were confronted with a plan and you were expected to take action. I chose to replace any negative emotion with a positive. Grief became gratitude. Anger became action.

I admit that not being able to sleep under the graces of prednisone gave me pause in the depths of the night. I often asked "Why", but I never asked "Why me?" That begged of self-pity and my parents would have come back to haunt me. I could hear my Dad saying, "So your heart failed, what are you going to do about it?"

I found that my music helped immensely. I got the Led out -- Led Zeppelin for the uninitiated. I sampled favorite motivational songs: Life is a Highway (Tom Cochrane), Eye of the Tiger (Katy Perry) I know, I know; Led Zeppelin and Katy Perry??? And yet I always came back to Invictus and the closing stanza of that great poem.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate.
I am the captain of my soul.

Best always,
s!
Scott Jensen

Scott, your attitude is awesome. Glad your parents voices kicked in. Glad wife’s attitude helped. Glad Led Zeppelin helped. Glad you got the transplant. Wow. Do you know what caused your heart issues or what the issues were while seeming healthy?

@feelingthankful Thank you for the vote of confidence. It was one year ago today that I got the call to come to Phoenix for the new heart. We still have no idea what caused my heart failure. The pathology on the old heart indicated that there was nothing inherent or present to create the same failure conditions for the new heart so that is good news. It certainly was not genetic. Dad died of Parkinson's at 89 and Mom died of liver cancer at 88. Most tests had a medical note at the end of the documentation: NOS. I thought it meant no observable source but it actually means not otherwise specified. In any case we still don't know why it happened. Still hear my Dad every morning when it comes time to exercise. "So you had a heart transplant. You want a medal? Get in the gym and work up a sweat." LOL
Best always,
s!

Happy anniversary, Scott! You deserve a medal!