Posts
1282
Joined
8/15/2006
Location
Tucson, AZ, USA
Edited Date/Time
1/27/2012 2:40pm
I put this on MT and I thought I'd put it here, too:
And I'm not talking about the determination kind.
Over the past few weeks, I've had an eye-opening, life-changing experience.
Recently, I've had a few incidents of chest pain so last Friday, I went to a cardiologist. He gave me a stress test and scheduled me for an angiogram, which I went in for yesterday.
All three main arteries in my heart had significant blockage. Stents were installed by angioplasty so I could regain adequate blood flow in my heart. I could have had a massive heart attack at any moment, a walking time bomb. I'm back home today and grateful.
My point is this - if you're over 35, whether you have any symptoms or not, go get a stress test done. They aren't fun but they can definitely save your life.
Many people with heart disease don't have any symptoms until it's too late. Get on a cholesterol control med.
I feel very blessed we caught this when we did. One more day could have been too late. The angiogram/angioplasty is no big deal but it saved my life and enabled me to see my daughter grow up
I've lived my 47 years like I'm still 21 but no more. I feel like I've been given a new lease on life and I'm not going to waste it.
Do it for yourself and the one's that love you.
And I'm not talking about the determination kind.
Over the past few weeks, I've had an eye-opening, life-changing experience.
Recently, I've had a few incidents of chest pain so last Friday, I went to a cardiologist. He gave me a stress test and scheduled me for an angiogram, which I went in for yesterday.
All three main arteries in my heart had significant blockage. Stents were installed by angioplasty so I could regain adequate blood flow in my heart. I could have had a massive heart attack at any moment, a walking time bomb. I'm back home today and grateful.
My point is this - if you're over 35, whether you have any symptoms or not, go get a stress test done. They aren't fun but they can definitely save your life.
Many people with heart disease don't have any symptoms until it's too late. Get on a cholesterol control med.
I feel very blessed we caught this when we did. One more day could have been too late. The angiogram/angioplasty is no big deal but it saved my life and enabled me to see my daughter grow up
I've lived my 47 years like I'm still 21 but no more. I feel like I've been given a new lease on life and I'm not going to waste it.
Do it for yourself and the one's that love you.
Keep on truckin'
BTW, want a rice cake?
I never smoked, not overweight, active lifestyle, ate decent, drank water and only drank wine, which I quit a year after my attack(false advertising).
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I'm only 41 but go in every year, try to watch my weight, exercise, cholesterol etc knowing I have a family history. But I want to be able to watch my kids grow up and their kids too.
Point is DENIAL is one of the main symptoms.
"The angiogram/angioplasty is no big deal"
Isn't this uncomfortable though? How long were you off your feet?
That's a real eye opener. You're younger than I am.
Maybe your note will push the right buttons for some, and do some real good.
I'm pretty much a pussy when it comes to pain and this is really no big deal. It will save your life.
I don't smoke. Do (did) drink. Have high blood pressure and a family history of heart disease but thought I was too young to be very concerned about it. If you have any issues or concerns...DO NOT HESITATE. Get a stress test done.
Welcome old man!
Happy to hear you caught it early and are going to be OK.
Great advice.
Pit Row
February is American Heart Month
Heart Disease is the Number One Cause of Death
"Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States and is a major cause of disability. The most common heart disease in the United States is coronary heart disease, which often appears as a heart attack. In 2009, an estimated 785,000 Americans will have a new coronary attack, and about 470,000 will have a recurrent attack. About every 25 seconds, an American will have a coronary event, and about one every minute will die from one."
When Paul and I discussed his situation, I told him he was lucky (relative term in this context) to be one of those individuals with arterial blockage that actually HAS chest pain from his disease....many do not. And these are the folks that are at the most risk of suddenly dying from a cardiac event. The primary test we use to find coronary blockage is the Exercise Stress Test, where you walk on the treadmill with a bunch of EKG leads hooked up to your chest.
The American College of Sports Medicine recommends that men over 40, and women over 50, should consider having an exercise stress test before undertaking a vigorous exercise program (that would include moto!!). Talk to your doctor if you have questions, and feel free to throw any up here if you want me to take a stab at them.
Very, very glad that Paul caught this early and had good treatment!
The biggest scare of my life came a few months ago. I was having serious chest pains, called my girlfriend and scared her to death. She took me to a medical center and they did an EKG. Turns out I had torn muscles away from the bone in my chest from working out and it was mimicking the symptoms of a heart attack. Still, it made me think about things. Glad to hear you're doing well.
the company my wife works for was sold. With this came different insurance company and our DR did not accept the ins. So we both went to a new DR for routine check ups and they did EKG's on both of us and everything looked fine. My wife had been feeling tired and had to push her Dr to get the stress test done. My pulse is normally low under 60 and my Dr wanted to send me in for a stress test too.
I dropped my wife off at 7 AM for her test and was suppose to came back around 1 to pick her up. I got a call at 11 to come pick her up. I get there and they informed me that I was going to take her across the street to the hospital that just happens to be a heart center. I felt something was up when they would not start the angio untill the open heart crew was all there. They went in and found a 99% blockage and came back out to explain what was going on. She ended up getting open heart surgery with 2 bypasses. She had what they call the widdow maker. It has been a long recovery but she feels better than she has in 10 years. We both work out regularly at the YMCA.
My stress test was suppose to be the next day but I canceled it since I was rather busy with my wifes surgery & recovery. Its funny I have not been able to get it re scheduled. Any way I go in next week for my yearly physical and will finally get it rescheduled.
I suggest you look into http://www.mendedhearts.org and go to some of their meetings as this will greatly ease the mental side of this.
Jimi J
PS- you 50+ guys need a colonoscopy, too! Send me an email if you want some reasons why to get one!
Thanks for the heads up PD441. I suppose I should do a stress test too. Bad genetics.
Good luck with it Paul.
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