Recently diagnosed with CAD - Scared to live

Hi @gammy2, and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect!

@loriesco’s encouragement looks contagious because your comment gives me a pep in my step today. Thanks. 😀

If you are comfortable, it will help for you share more about what brings you to this discussion, “ Recently diagnosed with CAD - Scared to live” so others know how better to comment.

Do you have coronary artery disease (CAD)?

Hello milkmaid & jaireeves,
I've walked in your Moccasins... when I was diagnosed (by the Physicians Assistant in my GP's office) of having A-Fib, & then talked to my Dr., (her boss) they both explained, potentially It Can Be a fatal cardiac condition ... & they put me on a Toxic blood thinner. I too was traumatized + had 5 or 6 side-effects to that drug including Insomnia, (a big part was due to my fear & super-anxiety)! I had to ASK to be referred to a Cardiologist who was more understanding but couldn't change the prescrip. ordered by the other Dr. "That Was It!" - I left the GP practice (I'd used for Years) & found a New GP. The New GP then "soothed & smoothed my feathers"! She told me these types of Cardio abnormalities Can be a natural part of the Aging Process (I was 84 at the time), & that properly managed "Life Can Go On" with a few adjustments. Over the next 2 years when I felt Dr.'s weren't REALLY listening to me, prescribing an Alternative drug rather than doing a little research to find the Right drug FOR ME, I'd Find A New Cardiologist! I came to realize Dr.'s are Very Busy these days & their Clinics push them to 'get the patients In & Out A.S.A.P.'! In addition, when a Patient doesn't Really Doesn't Need an expensive Pharmaceutical, the Dr.'s are probably told, "Prescribe That Patient SOMETHING anyway!" I later learned that for a very-few number of Patients with Certain levels of Cardio Abnormalities, prescribing Low Dose Aspirin is Sufficient, Particularly if the Patient cannot tolerate the toxic Pharmaceuticals that are now available. And I have a Very Basic Policy, I WILL NOT Take A Drug to "fix" another Drug I'm taking (PERIOD). Please Find A Right Drug For Me!
Just yesterday a Physician Assistant with 30 years of experience admitted Pharmaceutical Companies commission or reward the Dr.'s OR their Practice for every Prescription written.
So There It Is! Ca-Ching$ Ca-Ching$ Ca-Ching$. It's the Tail (Big Pharma) Wagging The Dog (MOST Doctors &/or their Practice)! It took me 4 Years of asking Credible Medical People before someone would confirm My Greatest Suspicion! You wouldn't believe all the "Dodge-Ball" answers I'd get when I'd Ask Dr.'s this question (over the past 4 years ... some even Denied it.). And the PAA smiled when he said, "You're a pretty smart Cookie to have figured that out. Most patients Never make that connection or are afraid to ask the question.)

Hi what meds are you on?

What I've learned is to try and look at it the way a cardiologist looks at it. We hear coronary artery disease and our brains quickly spiral to "my heart is no good", "I'm going to die", and other bad thoughts. I get it, I've been there.

How does the cardiologist look at it? The heart is a pump. It is fed by arteries. Those arteries can develop some buildup which can impact blood flow and possibly cause a clot. OK, so what do we do? We take steps to prevent further damage. We possibly take statins to prevent further buildup and to calcify existing plaque. Maybe we have an echocardiogram and a stress test to see if the heart pump is still doing its job. The doctor is like a mechanic, examining your motor and figuring out how to keep it operating properly. Remember, there was a time in our lifetimes when there was no such thing as angiograms or statins. Doctors have many tools in the toolbox.

Let's be realistic: there are very few people over 50, and certainly over 60, who have pristine arteries. Not with the typical American diet, anyway. Many of those people have no idea. At least we are aware of what we have and can be proactive about it. When I was a kid, the guy across the street went out drinking every night and was literally turning blue, and refused to go to a doctor until he dropped dead.

P.S. I have a calcium score over 200. I run in 5K races and I work out at the gym. I feel great. Statins have lowered my LDL to 60. My cardiologist is happy, and if he's happy, I'm happy. BE PROACTIVE is always my motto when it comes to my medical conditions.

@hoping25
At present I'm taking Prescripts.: 1. Synthroid (thyroid supplement/been taking it 50 years-no problems), 2. Metoporol (Lowest Dose), & 3. Dabigatran (prescribed by an Electro-cardiologist). As well a "Dr. of Internal Med. - Health Coach" I've been seeing regularly suggested I ask 3 questions about the Dabigatran with the intent that the Elect-cardio. will realize I'm only "peeing" this expensive medicine down the toilet, it isn't really needed. The GP-Health Coach ordered Lab Tests which I'll take along to back-up his opinion.

I SO Agree, Today the challenge of dealing with the Medical Community is like dancing on your 'tippy-toes' thru that proverbial "Medical Minefield"!
One of the Dr.'s I see twice-yearly has named his Practice "The Cure Center". Prior to appointments he sends patients to a Lab where he's ordered 29 different blood & urine tests. Then at your appointment he prints out all of your test scores & goes over each one, (they've been line-graphed: below-normal, Normal, or above-normal). He then makes recommendations on how you can make lifestyle & dietary changes to get all of your "Body Chemistry" scores into the Normal range. As well, during the Appointment he scans your Carotid Artery & gives you an "Artery Age" vs your Calendar Age.
2 weeks ago my carotid-Artery age was 52 ... my next birthday I'll be 88 (in 6 weeks). At that appointment His comment was: "People would Kill to have test scores like yours!" Apparently my Body is very efficient eliminating cholesterol. I've given my Cardiologist copies of the 29 test scores & he Still Insist I need take a Very Strong Blood Thinner ... he seems "totally unimpressed" with the test scores & image of my carotid artery scan!
So I feel like I'm between the proverbial "Rock & Hard Place"!