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Bill
medicine forum Guru
Joined: 06 May 2005
Posts: 849
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 Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2005 2:40 am Post subject:
Re: Fearful after stents
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"Don Kirkman" <donkirk@covad.net> wrote in message
news:57bhb1dcmoou7jnqmdugbd5rgr221dk6vi@4ax.com...
| Quote: | It seems to me I heard somewhere that Javier wrote in article
1119391437.179902.232880@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com>:
Yep, I do feel like I had beaten the odds but then had the rug pulled
out from under me. But I do consider myself lucky since this was caught
early before an actual heart attack. My cardiologist said the same
thing about my recovery. If I had not been as active the recovery time
would have taken much longer.
How does it feel when the arteries start to clog again? What I have now
is a mild pinch in either my left or right pectoral muscle. The pinch
comes and goes very quickly and it's never in the same sport twice. I'm
not out of breath at all and I have noticed that I can walk my usual 5
miles at a much faster pace.
I first noticed that running at my usual (slow) pace felt harder and I
was breathing more heavily. I can't recall now if I had slight angina
or not; I think not (I don't remember bad things very well.  )
I seem to remember that the doc confirmed my feelings at my previously
scheduled treadmill session which was shortly after I noticed the
change.
One thing I did notice is that when I do get the pinching sensation a
belch is not far behind.
I can't claim that, but after the second stenting every time I thought I
might be feeling angina it turned out to be gas pains.
I'm glad you're doing well. By the way, what happens if the stents get
blocked or if I develop new blockages?
From the beginning I was told that with each repetition of angio or
stenting the odds increase against you, but it was left unclear whether
they would try again or go to a bypass. That doctor left a few months
after the stents (he was the best of the five I've had, so I miss him
still) and the subject has never come up with my readings all top notch
since then. I assume both options are available depending on the doctor
and the diagnosis.
Continued good luck to you.
--
Don Kirkman
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From what I recall, and you know I am not a Dr., they can and do do a stent
within a stent. But the odds of restenosis are higher than with the first
stent. However, if you go to a completly different area the odds are the same.
Bill |
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Javier
medicine forum addict
Joined: 20 Jun 2005
Posts: 99
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| Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2005 11:38 pm Post subject:
Re: Fearful after stents
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Just to let everyone know, my treadmill was delivered this afternoon
and I stayed on it for 45 minutes at a pace of 2 MPH with no pain at
all. It's not the fastest pace ever but it felt good.
Don Kirkman wrote:
| Quote: | It seems to me I heard somewhere that Javier wrote in article
1119313438.152017.254240@g49g2000cwa.googlegroups.com>:
I'm a healthy 36 year-old male and about three weeks ago I had four
drug eluting stents put in due to bad genetics. I powerlift three times
per week and either walk 3-5 miles or use my elliptical trainer when
I'm not lifting weights. My cholesterol was very high total was 385
with the ldl's in the high 200's due genetics as my diet is very low in
fats and high in fiber. It's a given that I was ignorant for not
checking my cholesterol levels but with the amount of physical activity
and good diet I didn't think I was at risk as my fathers diet was
horrible and he was a smoker.
Is it normal for anyone who has gone through stent implants to worry
about when the "next shoe may drop" or that a heart attack is waiting
around the corner? So far I've recovered well and I'm already walking
3-5 miles per day as well as using the elliptical trainer. I still feel
slight shooting pains or pinches in my right pectoral but this is gone
in an instant and my cardiologist doesn't feel it's anything to worry
about.
I don't know if it's "normal" to worry or not, but it's totally
understandable, especially for someone who's been active. It's easy to
feel we've beaten the odds until we find out we haven't.
I'm also a victim of genetics; after a very mild MI I had an angioplasty
(3 arteries) and one stent as soon as they could get me into the cath
lab; my cardiologist who was a runner wanted me walking and, as soon as
possible, running slowly; as I recall it took about two weeks to run
comfortably. Thanks to the running, I was very aware when the arteries
were clogging again* so three months later I was back in for two more
stents. That was seven years ago and I've never had a pain related to
my heart since. My cardiologist told me that my MI was milder and my
recovery faster and better because I had been active, as you have.
* Exactly why he wanted me to run--early warning system.
By the way I decided to go to the hospital when a case of mild "gas"
didn't go away. That's how I found out I had blockages that could have
lead to a heart attack if left untreated.
MIs come in all kinds of packages, don't they? I felt like I'd been
kicked in the bread basket.
--
Don Kirkman |
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Javier
medicine forum addict
Joined: 20 Jun 2005
Posts: 99
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| Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2005 11:43 pm Post subject:
Re: Fearful after stents
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This is a great group. |
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Guest
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| Posted: Thu Jun 23, 2005 12:25 am Post subject:
Re: Fearful after stents
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"Javier" <rojasj@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1119490699.613325.247730@o13g2000cwo.googlegroups.com...
| Quote: | Just to let everyone know, my treadmill was delivered this afternoon
and I stayed on it for 45 minutes at a pace of 2 MPH with no pain at
all. It's not the fastest pace ever but it felt good.
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sounds great to me!!!!!
keep it up....
| Quote: |
Don Kirkman wrote:
It seems to me I heard somewhere that Javier wrote in article
1119313438.152017.254240@g49g2000cwa.googlegroups.com>:
I'm a healthy 36 year-old male and about three weeks ago I had four
drug eluting stents put in due to bad genetics. I powerlift three times
per week and either walk 3-5 miles or use my elliptical trainer when
I'm not lifting weights. My cholesterol was very high total was 385
with the ldl's in the high 200's due genetics as my diet is very low in
fats and high in fiber. It's a given that I was ignorant for not
checking my cholesterol levels but with the amount of physical activity
and good diet I didn't think I was at risk as my fathers diet was
horrible and he was a smoker.
Is it normal for anyone who has gone through stent implants to worry
about when the "next shoe may drop" or that a heart attack is waiting
around the corner? So far I've recovered well and I'm already walking
3-5 miles per day as well as using the elliptical trainer. I still feel
slight shooting pains or pinches in my right pectoral but this is gone
in an instant and my cardiologist doesn't feel it's anything to worry
about.
I don't know if it's "normal" to worry or not, but it's totally
understandable, especially for someone who's been active. It's easy to
feel we've beaten the odds until we find out we haven't.
I'm also a victim of genetics; after a very mild MI I had an angioplasty
(3 arteries) and one stent as soon as they could get me into the cath
lab; my cardiologist who was a runner wanted me walking and, as soon as
possible, running slowly; as I recall it took about two weeks to run
comfortably. Thanks to the running, I was very aware when the arteries
were clogging again* so three months later I was back in for two more
stents. That was seven years ago and I've never had a pain related to
my heart since. My cardiologist told me that my MI was milder and my
recovery faster and better because I had been active, as you have.
* Exactly why he wanted me to run--early warning system.
By the way I decided to go to the hospital when a case of mild "gas"
didn't go away. That's how I found out I had blockages that could have
lead to a heart attack if left untreated.
MIs come in all kinds of packages, don't they? I felt like I'd been
kicked in the bread basket.
--
Don Kirkman
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Silas
medicine forum beginner
Joined: 18 May 2005
Posts: 35
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| Posted: Thu Jun 23, 2005 2:17 am Post subject:
Re: Fearful after stents
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Javier wrote:
| Quote: | Just to let everyone know, my treadmill was delivered this afternoon
and I stayed on it for 45 minutes at a pace of 2 MPH with no pain at
all. It's not the fastest pace ever but it felt good.
|
Sounds good, do remember to loosen up before and to cool down after,
also start off at a pace that is easily manageable and build up from
there. It's easy to get caught up with feeling good and end up with
muscle pain/cramp that could hinder future use until they settle down.
FWIW, my treadmill arrived 2 weeks ago, (it's one of those with
adjustable incline) and at 58 years old with stent to LAD (6 years ago)
and CABG (2 years ago) I am up to 40 min, starting off at 2 KPH and
building up from that with the last 10 min at 4.5 KPH then a cool down
of 2 min at 2 KPH.
My plan is to build up to 1 hour/day with half of that at 4.5 KPH, don't
know if I will get there as mild angina (jaw pain) kicks in during the
last few min of my current routine but I think this will improve as time
goes on and I get fitter, just ignoring it at the moment....gulp.
S
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Andrew B. Chung, MD/PhD
medicine forum Guru
Joined: 25 Mar 2005
Posts: 8540
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| Posted: Thu Jun 23, 2005 8:48 am Post subject:
Re: Fearful after stents
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Javier wrote:
| Quote: |
I'm a healthy 36 year-old male and about three weeks ago I had four
drug eluting stents put in due to bad genetics. I powerlift three times
per week and either walk 3-5 miles or use my elliptical trainer when
I'm not lifting weights. My cholesterol was very high total was 385
with the ldl's in the high 200's due genetics as my diet is very low in
fats and high in fiber.
|
For many people it is **not** "what you eat" but "how much you eat" that
is underlying the health problems.
| Quote: | It's a given that I was ignorant for not
checking my cholesterol levels but with the amount of physical activity
and good diet I didn't think I was at risk as my fathers diet was
horrible and he was a smoker.
Is it normal for anyone who has gone through stent implants to worry
about when the "next shoe may drop" or that a heart attack is waiting
around the corner?
|
Having heart disease is often very humbling.
| Quote: | So far I've recovered well and I'm already walking
3-5 miles per day as well as using the elliptical trainer. I still feel
slight shooting pains or pinches in my right pectoral but this is gone
in an instant and my cardiologist doesn't feel it's anything to worry
about.
By the way I decided to go to the hospital when a case of mild "gas"
didn't go away. That's how I found out I had blockages that could have
lead to a heart attack if left untreated.
|
In truth, the stents serve largely to relieve symptoms (and possible to
improve heart function) but do little to prevent heart attacks.
The latter is achieved by identifying "risk factors" and aggressively
addressing them.
Having a waistline of 35 inches or more (especially in women) is an
oft-overlooked risk factor.
In Christ's love and service,
Andrew
--
Andrew B. Chung, MD/PhD
Board-Certified Cardiologist
**
Suggested Reading:
(1) http://makeashorterlink.com/?G1D5217EA
(2) http://makeashorterlink.com/?W13A4250B
(3) http://makeashorterlink.com/?X1C62661A
(4) http://makeashorterlink.com/?U1E13130A
(5) http://makeashorterlink.com/?K6F72510A
(6) http://makeashorterlink.com/?I24E5151A
(7) http://makeashorterlink.com/?I22222129 |
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Don Kirkman
medicine forum Guru
Joined: 28 Apr 2005
Posts: 726
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| Posted: Thu Jun 23, 2005 3:59 pm Post subject:
Re: Fearful after stents
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It seems to me I heard somewhere that <Hawki63@sbcglobal.net> wrote in
article <04pue.1323$N22.1240@newssvr21.news.prodigy.com>:
| Quote: | "Javier" <rojasj@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1119490699.613325.247730@o13g2000cwo.googlegroups.com...
Just to let everyone know, my treadmill was delivered this afternoon
and I stayed on it for 45 minutes at a pace of 2 MPH with no pain at
all. It's not the fastest pace ever but it felt good.
sounds great to me!!!!!
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And to me! Good news.
Indeed.
--
Don Kirkman |
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Javier
medicine forum addict
Joined: 20 Jun 2005
Posts: 99
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| Posted: Thu Jun 23, 2005 10:22 pm Post subject:
Re: Fearful after stents
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Thanks for the feedback. I always figured stents would help prevent
heart attacks due to an increase in blood flow. So what are heart
attacks caused by? Does this mean that since my father had a heart
attack I'm sure to have one or does it just incrase my chances? |
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Javier
medicine forum addict
Joined: 20 Jun 2005
Posts: 99
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| Posted: Thu Jun 23, 2005 10:24 pm Post subject:
Re: Fearful after stents
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Keep at it, so far I haven't felt an angina. I just hope I can help
avoid bypass surgery. I can deal wiht stents but I don't know abount
bypass surgery, the stents were scary enough. |
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Jason
medicine forum Guru
Joined: 29 Apr 2005
Posts: 1120
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| Posted: Fri Jun 24, 2005 2:00 pm Post subject:
Re: Fearful after stents
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In article <1119572525.281957.281450@g14g2000cwa.googlegroups.com>,
"Javier" <rojasj@gmail.com> wrote:
| Quote: | Thanks for the feedback. I always figured stents would help prevent
heart attacks due to an increase in blood flow. So what are heart
attacks caused by? Does this mean that since my father had a heart
attack I'm sure to have one or does it just incrase my chances?
|
Hello,
You asked some interesting questions. I suggest that you visit this
website and order a booklet about "Heart Disease--code number 647-X".
Call 1-800-599-5750 mention code DABP19 when you call
the booklet was written by Doctor Don Colbert
website:
www.drcolbert.com
I copied the above info. from the back section of Dr. Colbert's book.
Jason
--
NEWSGROUP SUBSCRIBERS MOTTO
We respect those subscribers that ask for advice or provide advice.
We do NOT respect the subscribers that enjoy criticizing people. |
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Bill
medicine forum Guru
Joined: 06 May 2005
Posts: 849
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| Posted: Sat Jun 25, 2005 12:48 am Post subject:
Re: Fearful after stents
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"Javier" <rojasj@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1119572525.281957.281450@g14g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
| Quote: | Thanks for the feedback. I always figured stents would help prevent
heart attacks due to an increase in blood flow. So what are heart
attacks caused by? Does this mean that since my father had a heart
attack I'm sure to have one or does it just incrase my chances?
|
It definitely means your odds are higher and it definitely does not mean that
you are sure to have one. Now that you are under medical care and are aware of
the situation, your odds have improved. As to what causes a HA, I'm not an
expert but I think the general idea, in a typical situation, is that there is
sort of a cap around the plaque build up in an artery. That cap suddenly
bursts. The body tries heal it over by forming a clot which blocks the artery.
Here are some links which are probably much better than I am:
http://www.medicinenet.com/heart_attack/article.htm
http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4578
Bill |
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Javier
medicine forum addict
Joined: 20 Jun 2005
Posts: 99
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| Posted: Sat Jun 25, 2005 1:48 pm Post subject:
Re: Fearful after stents
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Thanks Bill, it's good knowing that just because my father had an HD it
doesn't mean that I will have one. I should explain that from what my
mother told me he was experiencing angina, while he walked five or six
blocks, for about five years yet did nothing about it. He continued to
eat very high cholesterol foods and didn't see a DR until he had a
heart attack; at this point he needed five by-passes. I guess if he
had addressed the issue when he first felt angina he may have never had
an HD or at least cut down on the number of by-passes. I guess since I
paid attention to the symptoms I got a jump on the problem.
By the way, I walked on the tread mill for an hour at a pace of 2.5MPH
and felt no pain or discomfort. Beyond my power rack, calf machine and
lat station this tread mill was the best investment I ever made. |
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Jason
medicine forum Guru
Joined: 29 Apr 2005
Posts: 1120
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| Posted: Sat Jun 25, 2005 2:50 pm Post subject:
Re: Fearful after stents
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In article <1119714492.681387.268700@g43g2000cwa.googlegroups.com>,
"Javier" <rojasj@gmail.com> wrote:
| Quote: | Thanks Bill, it's good knowing that just because my father had an HD it
doesn't mean that I will have one. I should explain that from what my
mother told me he was experiencing angina, while he walked five or six
blocks, for about five years yet did nothing about it. He continued to
eat very high cholesterol foods and didn't see a DR until he had a
heart attack; at this point he needed five by-passes. I guess if he
had addressed the issue when he first felt angina he may have never had
an HD or at least cut down on the number of by-passes. I guess since I
paid attention to the symptoms I got a jump on the problem.
By the way, I walked on the tread mill for an hour at a pace of 2.5MPH
and felt no pain or discomfort. Beyond my power rack, calf machine and
lat station this tread mill was the best investment I ever made.
|
Javier,
Keep up the great work re: exercise. I am not a doctor but I have
conducted research on this subject due to my own health problems. Some of
the experts say that the Mediterranean Diet works great for all people. I
suggest that you visit a bookstore and buy a book related to this subject.
You are off to a great start.
Jason
--
NEWSGROUP SUBSCRIBERS MOTTO
We respect those subscribers that ask for advice or provide advice.
We do NOT respect the subscribers that enjoy criticizing people. |
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Bill
medicine forum Guru
Joined: 06 May 2005
Posts: 849
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| Posted: Sat Jun 25, 2005 5:18 pm Post subject:
Re: Fearful after stents
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"Javier" <rojasj@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1119714492.681387.268700@g43g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
| Quote: | Thanks Bill, it's good knowing that just because my father had an HD it
doesn't mean that I will have one. I should explain that from what my
mother told me he was experiencing angina, while he walked five or six
blocks, for about five years yet did nothing about it. He continued to
eat very high cholesterol foods and didn't see a DR until he had a
heart attack; at this point he needed five by-passes. I guess if he
had addressed the issue when he first felt angina he may have never had
an HD or at least cut down on the number of by-passes. I guess since I
paid attention to the symptoms I got a jump on the problem.
By the way, I walked on the tread mill for an hour at a pace of 2.5MPH
and felt no pain or discomfort. Beyond my power rack, calf machine and
lat station this tread mill was the best investment I ever made.
|
Sounds great! Hope you monitor your HR while on the treadmill.
Bill |
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Javier
medicine forum addict
Joined: 20 Jun 2005
Posts: 99
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| Posted: Sat Jun 25, 2005 6:18 pm Post subject:
Re: Fearful after stents
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Yup, the tread mill as a heart rate monitor and I'm stay in the 80-100
bpm range.
It's really funny; I have no aches or shooting pains in my chest or
shoulders while I'm on the treadmill or bike. It only happens when I'm
driving or sitting around. The interesting part is how many of my
friends have said that they experience the same aches.
Javier
Bill wrote:
| Quote: | "Javier" <rojasj@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1119714492.681387.268700@g43g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
Thanks Bill, it's good knowing that just because my father had an HD it
doesn't mean that I will have one. I should explain that from what my
mother told me he was experiencing angina, while he walked five or six
blocks, for about five years yet did nothing about it. He continued to
eat very high cholesterol foods and didn't see a DR until he had a
heart attack; at this point he needed five by-passes. I guess if he
had addressed the issue when he first felt angina he may have never had
an HD or at least cut down on the number of by-passes. I guess since I
paid attention to the symptoms I got a jump on the problem.
By the way, I walked on the tread mill for an hour at a pace of 2.5MPH
and felt no pain or discomfort. Beyond my power rack, calf machine and
lat station this tread mill was the best investment I ever made.
Sounds great! Hope you monitor your HR while on the treadmill.
Bill |
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