Artery Health Information
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"Terry Torial" s...@sd.net
I have a blocked artery that was so small the doctors wouldn't put in a stent for fear that it would burst. I also had another major blockage but my heart compensated and rerouted itself, preventing a major heart attack, I was told. I now worry about more blockages in my arteries. How do you ever know about the health of your arteries without going inside of your body?
All these procedures get expensive but I would like to stay informed about my heart's health. Thanks for any information.
Denis Brazeau braze...@vianet.ca
I'm in the same boat, I did have a heart attack last year, and I have a blocked artery the doctor said medication and lifestyle changes is what I needed. However I do still have some chess pain at times. I also worry a lot about my condition and get anxiety attacks often. I'm 48 years old overweight and exercise everyday. For medication I'm taking me Plavix 75mg, Altace 10mg, Lipitor 20mg, and metoprol 100 mg.
Now apparently their is a non invasive method that is being developed for checking the conditions of arteries. My doctor told me after he was just back from a conference on heart disease. By the way I'm in the process I cutting back on the metoprol from 100 mg a day to 50 mg then maybe to eliminate it all toghether. Then maybe the altace will be next.
Paul Schilter paulschil...@nospamcomcast.net
Terry, The only early warning system I know off is to exercise. If during the exercise you feel chest pains then it's something you should address immediately. Ten weeks after a heart attack and subsequent angioplasty, my blockage decided to close a bit up. Eight minutes into my exercise I started to feel pressure in the same location as I had when I had my MI.
I ended up getting roto-routered the next day. I also have a hiadal hernia which tends to give me indigestion, which can end up feeling like a heart attack. So it's important to exercise, if I didn't feel any discomfort while exercising then I don't concern myself as much when indigestion hits. Especially if it starts down low and works it way up.
Best of luck to ya.
Paul
"Bill" x...@yy.zz
There are a great variety of tests ranging from you reporting chest pain to EKGs, stress EKGs, nuclear stress EKGs, CT scans, MRIs and angiograms.
Angiograms are still considered the best though CT scans seem to be challenging. One advantage of an angiogram, of course, is that you can sometimes fix the problem right away.
My Dr. gives yearly nuclear stress EKGs. It is also important to just be aware of what your own body is telling you. Someone else mentioned that exercise can be helpful in giving you that warning. I found I was having slight chest pain at about the same point on my treadmill routine. After 3 or 4 times of this, it was enough to go to the Dr. which lead to an angiplasty.
Also follow all the good things to do, which I'm sure you are aware of.
Bill
ja ...@nospam.com (Jason)
Hello, I suggest that you read the following book. The author of the book was promoting it on a radio show. After you finish reading it, discuss it with your doctor.
"The Calcium Bomb" by Douglas Mulhall and Katja Hansen I tried to summarize the treatment program mentioned in the book several weeks ago and ended up getting lots of criticism so won't make that mistake again.
Jason
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"Jim-Poncin" jphkjk...@jkjhjkhkj.net
I don't have any (known) existing heart or arterial problems, but I have developed a routine for exercising that may warn me if something starts developing. Here's what I do - it may or may not be appropriate for other people, especially considering any existing conditions.
I do the same cardiovascular exercise routine three times a week wearing a heart rate monitor (Omron is a good choice). The exercises are always of the same type of exercise, same length, and the same profile of intensity in that by 5 minutes I'm up to about X heart rate, at 20 minutes I step it up to about Y level, at 27 minutes I start a 3 minute traindown, at 30 minutes I'm done and go into a 5 minute rest, sitting without any physical activity.
I note my exact heart rate level at minutes 27, 30, and 35. The whole thing is kept precise by using a stopwatch and digital kitchen timer. I spreadsheet these heart rate values. I have a database that clearly shows what's usual (for me) in terms of pulse rate drop during rest recovery. A few weeks of data is probably enough to see a baseline for most people. This is a good insight into CV health. If and when my percentage of recovery drop goes bad, I'll know something is wrong and will take steps. Incidentally, the flu shot I got a month ago did cause an anomalously poor recovery the next day, and then I was back to normal subsequently.
Hope this helps. It's non-invasive, costs nothing, and is another incentive to keep to a regular CV exercise routine.
"Terry Torial" s...@sd.net
Thanks to all that replied. I had an angiogram because of chest pains (did not have a heart attack) and was told that the pain was caused by a blocked artery, too small to open with a stint for fear of it bursting.
I was given blood pressure pills (in addition to the one I already took), zocor and another pill for the chest pain. I still have the chest pain but was told I was in no danger of a heart attack (at that point). I exercise and often get the same chest pain that I initially had when I overexert myself. The pain usually occurs if I exercise after eating. First thing in the morning, before eating, I can exercise without pain. But it is no worse that it was initially and is not bad enough to keep me from exercising. But I pace myself because I know it is sign that the heart is not getting enough blood. When not exercising I never have chest pains.
But I worry that since I have a blocked artery, what's to keep me from having another one? The doctor said the medicine I'm taking should prevent it for the time being. My blood work is normal. But still I would like to see how my ateries are while practicing preventative medicine. But since the only way to really know is to go inside your body, I will have to hope I am OK. I can't afford to have an angiogram once a year. Thanks again.
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ja ...@nospam.com (Jason)
Hello, I am not shocked that the medical establishmento did not discuss the treatment program discussed in "The Calcium Bomb". Doctors won't make much money as a result of the procedure discussed in the book. Doctors make much more money performing surgery on people. The medical procedure (discussed in the book) to remove plaque does not require surgery.
Jason
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David Rind dr...@caregroup.harvard.edu
Ah yes, the famous medical conspiracy. And yet, other people here seem to think doctors prescribe statins a lot, and yet doctors get no money at all for prescribing statins. In fact, it takes time to write the prescriptions (unreimbursed) and reduces the number of surgical procedures, hospital admissions, and stent procedures (all of which are reimbursed heavily). How exactly do you explain that behavior?
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David Rind dr...@caregroup.harvard.edu
ja ...@nospam.com (Jason)
David, Great point. I just hope that those same doctors that prescribe statins a lot, advise patients of the dangerous side effects. I realize that some fortunate people can take statins without developing side effects. My 250 pound sister-in-law has been taking them for years. I had to stop taking them do the side effects.
Jason
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ja ...@nospam.com (Jason)
It's obvious that you have not bothered to read the book. The best book critics are the ones that read the book before they criticize it.
I have a question: What percent of people that die related to heart attacks have normal chol.
levels?
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David Rind dr...@caregroup.harvard.edu
You might want to look to see what the reimbursement rates are for this sort of thing in the US.
Again, though, since we know that statins decrease the rates of things that actually reimburse well (CABG, PCI, hospitalization for MI and stroke), it's clear that prescribing a statin is a net money-losing proposition for the doctor.
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David Rind dr...@caregroup.harvard.edu
"Andrew B. Chung, MD/PhD" nosp...@heartmdphd.com
However, the symptomatic relief is long-lasting and in the large majority of cases persists for more than a year.
... or for those who choose to have it after weighing risk versus benefit of **all** their options (i.e. informed consent).
Suggested reading: http://tinyurl.com/cj89l Would be more than happy to "glow" and chat about this and other things like cardiology, diabetes and nutrition that interest those following this thread here during the next on-line chat (12/08/05): http://tinyurl.com/cpayh For those who are put off by the signature, my advance apologies for how the LORD has reshaped me: http://tinyurl.com/bgfqt In Christ's love always, Andrew http://tinyurl.com/b6xwk
ja ...@nospam.com (Jason)
Hello, The question that I asked was not answered so I will answer it: I asked about how many (percent) people that have heart attacks also have normal cholesterol levels?
According to paga 2 of a book entitled, "Stop Inflammation Now" by Richard M. Fleming, M.D (cardiologist): "...nearly half the people who suffer heart attacks each year have waht doctors describe as "normal" cholesterol levels, according to NHLBI".
I agree that we need studies to determine whether or not the treatment program discussed in "The Calcium Bomb" by Douglas Mulhall and Katja Hansen is (or is not) effective in the treatment of atherosclerosis.
Jason
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"Robert" Robertsonon...@hotmail.com
Jason, how many people with heart attacks have a normal blood calcium level?
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