Connect
Staying healthy physically (and mentally) post heart attack
Hi there, I just now joined your group and after reading a few of the posts, I am glad to be here with so many informed folks. I'm not sure how to start other than to give a brief story of my heart. Back in 5/14 after finishing my workout I went home for a late lunch which I've done for years. After getting cleaned up I sat down to lunch and conversation with my wife of 38 years. I began noticing a faintness and then a pain that began in my left arm and then moved into my chest. Immediately sat down and told my wife what was going on and as much as we were surprised especially because I had not had any symptoms till then. We jumped in the car & headed for the ER a 20 min. ride from our home. There was no question in my mind that I was experiencing a HA, but I was in a lot of pain. Although it took more than 2 hrs. for the ER to determine I was having a HA, fortunately after several tests they brought in a Echo cardiogram tech and halfway through the procedure he left and returned with the Cardiologist. From that point things ramped up big time and after 4 hrs. of coming in I was rolled into Cath lab and received a stent. I survived a "Widow Maker" that was caused by my LAD being 100% blocked. I was released within a day and began there Cardio Rehab program which although I felt out of place with many that had never used a treadmill or elliptical, this was really a great time not only meeting others that had recently gone through HA, but it helped me tremendously regain confidence working out and being monitored. It's been nearly 2 yrs. ago now and I have gone back to the gym after graduating from cardio rehab and I am doing well. My biggest let down was after a year of working hard with exercise, weight control and diet my next echo showed no signs of improvement. I am on 2.5 mg of lisinopril, 50 mg of metoprolol, 80 mg of atorvastatin & a 81 mg of aspirin. I never realized how mental this whole thing could be? Even with the efforts of all that I mentioned it seems like I am "damaged goods". I'm working hard to get past this and live my life with thankfulness every day.
Like
Helpful
HugInterested in more discussions like this? Go to the Heart & Blood Health Support Group.
Connect
Colleen, if you ever need to bounce a few questions off me regarding your remodel don't hesitate. I have done this work for 37 years.
Sorry to hear about your dad similar situation as my dad. I just heard on the national news yesterday that although cancer screenings for colon cancer have had good success in adults 50 and over, there is a upswing in younger adults getting colon cancer?
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 Reaction@hals
The experience that we have such as yours and mine really make us look at why we are here and how we decide to pursue our dreams and I have been getting better at the saying "if this does not happen or I don't do this now....is it worth stressing.." as my dad used to say to me "don't sweat the small stuff." Finally after so much time has passed, I can actually look at situations in this way now.
Hi.. This is first reply in this program. I had CAD-LAD stent and stable on medical treatment for nearly, 20 years. I am physically handicapped due to a different problem, said to be neurogenic claudication, with no specific treatment.Otherwise, I am OK.
Feel grateful that your EF didn't get any worse. I am sort of in the same situation, diet, excerise and weight loss, except my EF drop from 45% to 40%. I understand there's a 5% room of error but it was depressing. I take 12.5mg of coreg 2x a day and 5mg of linisopril 2x a day. After my last echo I start taking CO-Q 10 that I have read a lot of good things about. I do try to compensate my workout for the coreg which slows your heart down. To my knowledge I never had a HA unless it was a silent one. My cardiomypathy may be genetic, I have never been tested for the cause, I am told it's the weakening of the heart muscle. Had a heart cath with good results. At 40%ef I am still able to live a normal life, so far. I am convince if I get to a point were as my quality of live and longevity is effected greatly I'll travel to Mexico for the gene therapy if I'm a candidate. I wish the FDA here would quit dragging their feet and approve it here in the US. Out of all the trials that I read about showed great results. Before I raise a lot of eyebrows, it would be a last ditch effort. I just seems like a lot of good medicine and therapy, maybe even cures gets placed on the back burners by the FDA.
Have you tried changing your diet? I read a book about reversing heart ❤️ dieseae by a Cardiologist
Esselseyn. I am not sure about the spelling. The doctor was from Austin TX. He has 150 recipes in the book. I also read the China Study
and I also got the Super Health Diet by K C Craichy. Good luck.
I would caution about going to Mexico, I do agree about the FDA although started out to be a good thing is now driven by drug co., there are some good resources, Dr. Stephen Sinatra, Dr. Joseph Mercola, and Dr. Don Colbert all are on the internet. Good luck!