Coronary heart disease
Discussion
Hi,
I've just be diagnosed with heart disease in one of my arteries. I'm am absolutely gutted. I'm 39 years old very fit, slim and have very low bad/LCL cholesterol. I now feel like I'm a walking heart-attack-about-to-happen.
They've put in on daily aspirin and told me to get my HDL as high as possible through diet - ie omega 3 supplements.
They have told me its good to have found it rather than not, but I feel like my life is over now and death is just around the corner. I am going for an iodine scan/test tomorrow so they can tell em how block the artery is and if I will need an op.
Anyone else in the same boat as me at my age or am I just uber umlucky/bad genes?
Anyone know if its possible to reduce/reverse this paque buildup? I read conflicting reports.
I've just be diagnosed with heart disease in one of my arteries. I'm am absolutely gutted. I'm 39 years old very fit, slim and have very low bad/LCL cholesterol. I now feel like I'm a walking heart-attack-about-to-happen.
They've put in on daily aspirin and told me to get my HDL as high as possible through diet - ie omega 3 supplements.
They have told me its good to have found it rather than not, but I feel like my life is over now and death is just around the corner. I am going for an iodine scan/test tomorrow so they can tell em how block the artery is and if I will need an op.
Anyone else in the same boat as me at my age or am I just uber umlucky/bad genes?
Anyone know if its possible to reduce/reverse this paque buildup? I read conflicting reports.
I don't really have anything to add other than to say sorry to hear about your bad luck.
It's always a shame when folk who work hard to stay healthy get ill. I've too got some serious health issues that affect my training.
The best thing to do is find another thing to focus on other than your condition and continue to be fit as long as your doctor suggests its the best course of action.
All the best,
Lee
It's always a shame when folk who work hard to stay healthy get ill. I've too got some serious health issues that affect my training.
The best thing to do is find another thing to focus on other than your condition and continue to be fit as long as your doctor suggests its the best course of action.
All the best,
Lee
Sorry to hear mate but it's not all doom and gloom and now you are on the register, so to speak, you'll be looked after.
I too am slim and reasonably fit (Now 48) yet eat a crap diet (too much booze and takeaways) and in 2009 I had a heart attack.
Turns out I had blockages in my coronary arteries and some veins had even grown around the blocked areas to continue supplying O2 to the heart.
I'm now on 4, was 5, pills a day for the rest of my life but I gave up the gym as it was soooo boring and got into cycling. 6 months after getting out of hospital I cycled 60 odd miles to Brighton in around 6 hours including stops and a fish and chips lunch, plus a pint of ale, in a country pub.
As my consultant said, many blokes in their 30s and 40s are walking time bombs when it comes to their hearts so it was best that I had a warning and can now be kept an eye on.
All the best.
I too am slim and reasonably fit (Now 48) yet eat a crap diet (too much booze and takeaways) and in 2009 I had a heart attack.
Turns out I had blockages in my coronary arteries and some veins had even grown around the blocked areas to continue supplying O2 to the heart.
I'm now on 4, was 5, pills a day for the rest of my life but I gave up the gym as it was soooo boring and got into cycling. 6 months after getting out of hospital I cycled 60 odd miles to Brighton in around 6 hours including stops and a fish and chips lunch, plus a pint of ale, in a country pub.
As my consultant said, many blokes in their 30s and 40s are walking time bombs when it comes to their hearts so it was best that I had a warning and can now be kept an eye on.
All the best.
Thanks croyde - are you on beta blockers? if so how do they effect your physical performance with cycling? I think my doc is going to put me on these, and I'm worried that is really gonna stop me doing a lot of exercise. I was put on them many years ago for panic attacks I was having and it felt like I had concrete shoes on when running.
Your body gets used to them as far as cardio work is concerned, so I had problems when first on them even when walking but I just pushed on and started 6, 10 or even 14 mile walks.
It didn't take long.
My only problems now are the restricted circulation to my extremities caused by some of the pills which makes motorcycling and my job, mainly working outside, a pain as my fingers drain of blood and go completely numb even in just cool temperatures. I really must move to a warmer country.
Edited to say that I see that you live on the Cote D'Azur so the temperature bit should be fine for most of the year.
It didn't take long.
My only problems now are the restricted circulation to my extremities caused by some of the pills which makes motorcycling and my job, mainly working outside, a pain as my fingers drain of blood and go completely numb even in just cool temperatures. I really must move to a warmer country.
Edited to say that I see that you live on the Cote D'Azur so the temperature bit should be fine for most of the year.
Edited by croyde on Thursday 16th June 12:05
I think this one's for me....
I was 36 when I had my recent heart attack - had to have emergency 'rescue' angioplasty and a week later had a 2nd precautionary angioplasty - my left anterior descending artery, aka 'the widowmaker' was starting to fur up.
I'm now on an ACE inhibitor, beta-blocker, aspirin and statin for the rest of my life.
The one which gives me the biggest issues is the beta-blocker - I'm on Bisolprolol and started with a 10mg dose, which had me nearly flat out after a week, so was reduced to 5mg, which is starting to have a similar effect, so we're cutting it to 2.5mg from tomorrow.
I go down the gym 3-4 times a week, burning around 700-800 calories in an hour - the beta-blocker hasn't caused me any problems with exercising, if anything, exercising helps me feel better when I'm having one of my bad days where I get stupidly low blood pressure. (It was measured on Monday at 101/52 @ 42bpm by the paramedic that attended my 999 call after I had a 'funny turn')
It'll take you a while to come to terms with your illness - however, it's not very likely to kill you. I'm just getting over my 'ticking time bomb in my chest' feeling, and getting some confidence back that every twinge in my chest isn't the start of another attack. The reality is that your medication should keep you healthy for years - and in the worst case, at least they've now 'marked your card', so they'll be able to get the angioplasty / stenting ops done before you get a full on attack.
I was 36 when I had my recent heart attack - had to have emergency 'rescue' angioplasty and a week later had a 2nd precautionary angioplasty - my left anterior descending artery, aka 'the widowmaker' was starting to fur up.
I'm now on an ACE inhibitor, beta-blocker, aspirin and statin for the rest of my life.
The one which gives me the biggest issues is the beta-blocker - I'm on Bisolprolol and started with a 10mg dose, which had me nearly flat out after a week, so was reduced to 5mg, which is starting to have a similar effect, so we're cutting it to 2.5mg from tomorrow.
I go down the gym 3-4 times a week, burning around 700-800 calories in an hour - the beta-blocker hasn't caused me any problems with exercising, if anything, exercising helps me feel better when I'm having one of my bad days where I get stupidly low blood pressure. (It was measured on Monday at 101/52 @ 42bpm by the paramedic that attended my 999 call after I had a 'funny turn')
It'll take you a while to come to terms with your illness - however, it's not very likely to kill you. I'm just getting over my 'ticking time bomb in my chest' feeling, and getting some confidence back that every twinge in my chest isn't the start of another attack. The reality is that your medication should keep you healthy for years - and in the worst case, at least they've now 'marked your card', so they'll be able to get the angioplasty / stenting ops done before you get a full on attack.
bosshog said:
Hi,
I've just be diagnosed with heart disease in one of my arteries. I'm am absolutely gutted. I'm 39 years old very fit, slim and have very low bad/LCL cholesterol. I now feel like I'm a walking heart-attack-about-to-happen.
They've put in on daily aspirin and told me to get my HDL as high as possible through diet - ie omega 3 supplements.
They have told me its good to have found it rather than not, but I feel like my life is over now and death is just around the corner. I am going for an iodine scan/test tomorrow so they can tell em how block the artery is and if I will need an op.
Anyone else in the same boat as me at my age or am I just uber umlucky/bad genes?
Anyone know if its possible to reduce/reverse this paque buildup? I read conflicting reports.
Same problem when I was your age, mine resulted in a quadruple bypass, a year later.I've just be diagnosed with heart disease in one of my arteries. I'm am absolutely gutted. I'm 39 years old very fit, slim and have very low bad/LCL cholesterol. I now feel like I'm a walking heart-attack-about-to-happen.
They've put in on daily aspirin and told me to get my HDL as high as possible through diet - ie omega 3 supplements.
They have told me its good to have found it rather than not, but I feel like my life is over now and death is just around the corner. I am going for an iodine scan/test tomorrow so they can tell em how block the artery is and if I will need an op.
Anyone else in the same boat as me at my age or am I just uber umlucky/bad genes?
Anyone know if its possible to reduce/reverse this paque buildup? I read conflicting reports.
That was 20 years ago, if req'd they are more than likely to fit stents via keyhole surgery all pretty routine & straight forward these days. Friend of mine had a stent fitted about 18 months ago IIRC he was out in a couple of days.
So try not to worry I know it's easily said but I have been there.
If you want to chat feel free to drop me a mail.
thanks guys - bit concerned about the 'widow maker' but hoping that's more to do 'if you're not under meds/radar' kind of killer?
Did you guys have high cholesterol / overweight etc? or where you basically in good nick? I would kind of understand if I was really overweight, and ate like sh*t, but I'm the opposite.
I know its good I discovered it before I had a cardiac event, but its still the worse thing over to happen to me. I'm ment to be moving to Oz to work for a year or 2 in 4 days. Now I don't know what the heck is going to happen. :-( sad days.
Did you guys have high cholesterol / overweight etc? or where you basically in good nick? I would kind of understand if I was really overweight, and ate like sh*t, but I'm the opposite.
I know its good I discovered it before I had a cardiac event, but its still the worse thing over to happen to me. I'm ment to be moving to Oz to work for a year or 2 in 4 days. Now I don't know what the heck is going to happen. :-( sad days.
Edited by bosshog on Thursday 16th June 21:45
bosshog said:
Anyone know if its possible to reduce/reverse this paque buildup? I read conflicting reports.
Sadly no, at least from what i've been taught. The plaque will be from mineral deposits, mainly calcium, and it will be bone-hard. All you can really do is stop it from getting any worse. That means plenty of exercise and good diet high in polyunsaturated fats, omega 3 and 6 (from oily fish like salmon and sardines). Avoid saturated and trans-fats completely, which with todays s
te means most things especially processed foods. Btw google "the colesterol myth" before getting carried away.
Do you get any angina?
Big Al. said:
bosshog said:
I never knew it was dubbed the widow maker. sh*t! not happy now.
Don't worry! you are now in their radar, IF and I say IF you need a stent or two they will probably do them in quick succession and fix your problem. At the first sign of any problems, they'll whack a stent in there and you'll be fine.
Just remember to keep a GTN spray on you at all times, and I'd also recommend keeping some aspirin with you, too - if you do get any problems, the combination of GTN and 300mg of aspirin (4 regular tablets) is a lifesaver.
mattikake said:
Do you get any angina?
No I'm basically all good physically and no 'events'. It was a MOT type checkup I paid for in a private clinic in Monaco - I was going to wait until I was 40 but as I got offered a job in Sydney I thought I'd bring it forward. They give a few complete body scans and comprehensive blood test. The calcium count was high(ish) in the LAD so tomorrow I'm back for the iodine test and scan so they can see exactly how blocked (or not I'm hoping) it is. Its just such a shock as I'm uber paranoid about heart disease etc after some friends died many years ago. I exercise regularly, eat a very low cholesterol diet, I'm trim, drink normally, etc. The only thing is my BP is around 140/80 for the last 5 years or so. Even the cardiologist was rather surprise to see the results after seeing the blood test results first. I guess its either the BP, sh*t genes, or stress thats done it.Edited by bosshog on Thursday 16th June 21:58
I wasn't aware of my cholesterol problem until after my two heart attacks.
I wasn't grossly overweight, but I did have a lot of stress also my father had a history of CHD so it may well be in my genes. I lost my dad at the age of three @ the age of 44 that was however back in prehistoric times in the fifties.
Again I always carry GTN spray on me at all times and have done for 20 years, DON'T us it as a cure to a tightness in the chest use it as prevention. i.e. if you think you are going to do something strenuous USE THE GTN and wait for it to kick in (a minute or two) before you start.
Beware, until you get used to GTN spray it may well give you a thumping headache.
I wasn't grossly overweight, but I did have a lot of stress also my father had a history of CHD so it may well be in my genes. I lost my dad at the age of three @ the age of 44 that was however back in prehistoric times in the fifties.
Again I always carry GTN spray on me at all times and have done for 20 years, DON'T us it as a cure to a tightness in the chest use it as prevention. i.e. if you think you are going to do something strenuous USE THE GTN and wait for it to kick in (a minute or two) before you start.
Beware, until you get used to GTN spray it may well give you a thumping headache.
Well, I was around 2 stone overweight, smoked 25 a day, drank almost every night of the week, and was working as an account manager, so spent my days on the road visiting clients and my nights in hotels, drinking beer and eating some amazing food that was amazingly bad for you!
I had been trying to get fit - but I couldn't physically do enough exercise to make any difference - I just thought I didn't have the will-power, but it turns out that my body wasn't up to it.
Ultimately, although the above contributed, I don't have dodgy genes and used to be very fit - so I was just unlucky. Or maybe I was lucky that the heart attack happened in a place and at a time where I could get expert care very quickly and my issues are now under medical control.
Seriously, I wouldn't worry about it - I assume you'll get regular checkups which will ensure you get stents before you have an 'event' - and I wouldn't change anything significant in your life because of this. If anything, it makes you more determined to do what the hell you want, as you don't know how long you do have left - but this is a good, not bad thing!
I had been trying to get fit - but I couldn't physically do enough exercise to make any difference - I just thought I didn't have the will-power, but it turns out that my body wasn't up to it.
Ultimately, although the above contributed, I don't have dodgy genes and used to be very fit - so I was just unlucky. Or maybe I was lucky that the heart attack happened in a place and at a time where I could get expert care very quickly and my issues are now under medical control.
Seriously, I wouldn't worry about it - I assume you'll get regular checkups which will ensure you get stents before you have an 'event' - and I wouldn't change anything significant in your life because of this. If anything, it makes you more determined to do what the hell you want, as you don't know how long you do have left - but this is a good, not bad thing!
Sorry to hear about the diagnosis. Sure they haven't got your records mixed up with someone else's and there's some kebab-ravaging 35 stone man who has been given a clean bill of health?
Ordinary_Chap said:
It's always a shame when folk who work hard to stay healthy get ill.
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