Doc said I had a heart attack....even though wife drove me to hospital.

[Ralph]

Debated with myself about mentioning this....but who knows....maybe telling my experience will save a life.

A couple weeks ago....on a solo Sunday AM ride....temp high 40's but beautiful day.....at about the 3-4 mile mark....got a deep pain in my chest when I breathed in deep. Not a lot of pain....maybe 2 on a 10 scale....but enough to slow me down. I thought it was just cold air in my lungs. or maybe some irritation where my esophagus attaches to stomach, something like that. Had no pain like you see in movies, etc. So turned around and went home. The Following week....didn't ride....but went to gym....rode a recumbent bike, walked on tread mill, used the elliptical machine.....and only on that did I get some repeat pain. Went to gym several times that week. Same results.

Following Sunday....gorgeous day....I wanted to ride my bike....so started off on same ride as before....this time just kept going at a reduced pace...and finished the 35 mile route. Came home exhausted....and knew something wrong.

Went to primary care Doc on Monday after the ride....gave her my internet diagnosis about esophagus and cold air....she just rolled her eyes, and gave me EKG test real quick. Said it didn't match the one I had in fall at annual exam.....and said she thought I was having (or had) a heart attack. Gave me a nitro pill, had me chew some baby aspirin, and said she was calling EMS immediately. Since hospital was close by....did convince her to let my wife drive me there.

In ER they confirmed I had a blockage. Next day my cardiologist who I see once a year for regular checkups,
did a heart cath, determined I had 99% blockage in the Left anterior descending artery (LAD...widow maker), put a stent there, kept me around a few days to observe, and sent me home. Now on various drugs, and have been advised to go slow getting back to normal.

I'm 79 years old, been riding bikes and exercising all my life, not diabetic, one beer a week, LDL slightly under 100 when I came in (goal 70 now), BMI of 22.5 (5'10" 153 lbs), and as a family we're mostly vegetarian. I don't eat red meat. And this one artery clogged up (others clear) and almost killed me. And I thought my life style, diet, BMI, and exercise routine would protect me from this. It didn't. I got a big "wake up" call. So, especially if you are older, get yourself checked out, see a cardiologist regularly, have a primary care Doc get a baseline EKG on file. Put a medical team around you for regular check ups.
I could just as easily not made it home Sunday 2 weeks ago.

[MattTuck]

Ralph, just glad you are still alive and kicking. A lot of younger guys on this forum look up to you as an example of what they hope to do. Thanks for sharing this story.

[jghall]

Glad to hear you're ok. Can never be too careful. Friend of mine a few months back, in similar fit/good shape, experienced some mild inconsistencies, decided better safe than sorry. Next day having emergency heart surgery.

[weisan]

Ralph pal, thanks for sharing this cautionary tale.

[Blue Jays]

Thank you for the insightful post, Ralph.
Very glad you made it with flying colors.

[bobdenver1961]

Really glad you are OK. Thank for the heads up.

[mtechnica]

That’s crazy thanks for sharing. I’m afraid I won’t know if something like that is happening to me. I’ve had random chest pain before from who knows what but I’m in my 30s so I figure it’s nothing.

[NHAero]

So glad you figured it out in time! We're not ready to let you go! Take it easy as they tell you to and you'll be back on the bike better than ever.

[AZR3]

Scary stuff, this was posted on the Slowtwitch forum with eerily similar lack of major signs

https://forum.slowtwitch.com/forum/Slowtwitch_Forums_C1/Triathlon_Forum_F1/I'm_51%2C_and_just_had_a_5x_coronary_artery_bypass _graft_(cabg)_surgery_with_no_prior_symptoms__P715 0194/?page=unread#unread

[kppolich]

Ralph, glad you are OK. 79 trips around the sun no matter what is quite a toll on the old ticker, no matter how sound the diet. With my parents inching closer to that age I would like to see some deeper analysis to prevent these things from happening to others. Happy pedaling!

[ultraman6970]

WOw man.... happy you are ok... wish you a quick recovery. :)

[Hawker]

Thanks for filling us in Ralph. You never know whom you might help by sharing information like this.

Ride safe, stay well and God bless!

[zmalwo]

Just curious, do you eat a lot of saturated fat?

[PacNW2Ford]

Remember: take the “car” out of cardiac. Arriving in an ambulance can get you critical early treatment in the ambulance and in the ER.

[shinomaster]

Debated with myself about mentioning this....but who knows....maybe telling my experience will save a life.

A couple weeks ago....on a solo Sunday AM ride....temp high 40's but beautiful day.....at about the 3-4 mile mark....got a deep pain in my chest when I breathed in deep. Not a lot of pain....maybe 2 on a 10 scale....but enough to slow me down. I thought it was just cold air in my lungs. or maybe some irritation where my esophagus attaches to stomach, something like that. Had no pain like you see in movies, etc. So turned around and went home. The Following week....didn't ride....but went to gym....rode a recumbent bike, walked on tread mill, used the elliptical machine.....and only on that did I get some repeat pain. Went to gym several times that week. Same results.

Following Sunday....gorgeous day....I wanted to ride my bike....so started off on same ride as before....this time just kept going at a reduced pace...and finished the 35 mile route. Came home exhausted....and knew something wrong.

Went to primary care Doc on Monday after the ride....gave her my internet diagnosis about esophagus and cold air....she just rolled her eyes, and gave me EKG test real quick. Said it didn't match the one I had in fall at annual exam.....and said she thought I was having (or had) a heart attack. Gave me a nitro pill, had me chew some baby aspirin, and said she was calling EMS immediately. Since hospital was close by....did convince her to let my wife drive me there.

In ER they confirmed I had a blockage. Next day my cardiologist who I see once a year for regular checkups,
did a heart cath, determined I had 99% blockage in the Left anterior descending artery (LAD...widow maker), put a stent there, kept me around a few days to observe, and sent me home. Now on various drugs, and have been advised to go slow getting back to normal.

I'm 79 years old, been riding bikes and exercising all my life, not diabetic, one beer a week, LDL slightly under 100 when I came in (goal 70 now), BMI of 22.5 (5'10" 153 lbs), and as a family we're mostly vegetarian. I don't eat red meat. And this one artery clogged up (others clear) and almost killed me. And I thought my life style, diet, BMI, and exercise routine would protect me from this. It didn't. I got a big "wake up" call. So, especially if you are older, get yourself checked out, see a cardiologist regularly, have a primary care Doc get a baseline EKG on file. Put a medical team around you for regular check ups.
I could just as easily not made it home Sunday 2 weeks ago.


Wow, very scary, genetics are weird. I'm glad you're ok!

[cash05458]

Wow Ralph...glad to hear it turned out ok in the end! Yep, even tho a lot of us here tend to stay in good shape, we ain't indestructible...good advice for paying a bit more attention to these things...

[BryanE]

Thanks for sharing.
Seems to be happening to many of us
that have been dedicated fitness fanatics
for many years.

[HenryA]

Glad to hear its working out safely for you. Take care!

[picstloup]

Ralph. Good to hear you got taken care of in time. You see how lucky you were. Just take the meds. Keep doing what you were doing. The body wears out. Arteries get clogged. No matter what you eat. No matter what exercise you do. Genetics can also play a big part.

Just take it slow, easy for two to three weeks and you'll be good to go. I have done that many times. Any new pains, head to the cardiologist. Don't put it off. Just go.

Good advice about check ups. No matter your age, chest pain, unexplained pain, go to doctor. Get checked out.

My own cardiac problems started at age 44. I was vegetarian at the time. Riding a lot. But my family history is filled with early deaths from heart related problems. My uncle and his dad, my grandfather, both dead from heart attacks at 40 and 42.

Long story short, 20 years on at near 65, 8 stents and 1 heart attack later, I am about to get back on the bike again. Hope I can feel safe in traffic. In the gym now three days a week spinning lightly. Getting ready. Will also be doing some rides to a nearby park. Lock up the bike. Walk/jog the trails.

Every day is a blessing.

take care and best of luck to you Ralph...

[fmradio516]

Scary stuff :( but glad youre ok

Did the docs say, given your lifestyle, what could have been the cause of the blockage? Cheese? Milk?

I used to drink low fat milk for all my life. Then I married an italian and if I bring home anything less than full fat, i get a talking to.

[colker]

My brother went thru the same a mo ago. Out of the blue, healthy, swimmer... had a leart attack in the morning. Hospital> stent.

[oldpotatoe]

Glad you are around to post this Ralph. YES, you WILL give an important 'heads-up' to anybody that reads your tale. Particularly those of us who have a less healthy life style than yours..

GOOD luck!!

[Ralph]

My Dad died at age 59 from same thing I had. Before they did stents and open heart surgery. At that time....he was told to put Nitro in his mouth if he had any chest pain. My Mom died at age 93 from "advanced age". My cardiologist says I have my Dad's genes.

My blockage was at the intersection of the LAD artery and a smaller artery. Doc says he does not know anything I could have done to prevent this. I don't eat much fat, or dairy products. Do have some yogurt a few days a week.

Don't ignore any chest pains, or try to diagnose yourself.

[colker]

My Dad died at age 59 from same thing I had. Before they did stents and open heart surgery. At that time....he was told to put Nitro in his mouth if he had any chest pain. My Mom died at age 93 from "advanced age". My cardiologist says I have my Dad's genes.

My blockage was at the intersection of the LAD artery and a smaller artery. Doc says he does not know anything I could have done to prevent this. I don't eat much fat, or dairy products. Do have some yogurt a few days a week.

Don't ignore any chest pains, or try to diagnose yourself.

My father had a heart attack at 42 yrs old. Grandmom and grand dad died at 50 something from heart attacks. My brother just had one at 61.

[sitzmark]

Thank you Ralph - great news!
Have a friend (general contractor) who experienced the same "cold air" symptom working on a job. His wife force him to go to ER despite his inclination to ignore it - outwardly a model of fitness for his age. ER result same as yours.

Happy to hear you are on the mend.

[soulspinner]

Same with my dad. 99 percent blockage but 2 tributaries probably saved him from a heart attack.. At 86 hes back working as a high powered engineer(security clearance). So glad you went to the doc and you are on the mend. Keep the rubber down bike brother.

[biker72]

Glad to hear you're OK Ralph. Unfortunately this can happen to anybody at any time. You exercise, eat right, have great cholesterol numbers but you can't do anything about heredity.

My wakeup call was in 1987. My cholesterol and weight were about the same...250. I had the exercise taken care of but my diet was awful. Mt poor wife kept trying to serve low fat healthy meals but I was very resistant. That all changed on August 20, 1987.

[palincss]

Thanks for sharing.
Seems to be happening to many of us
that have been dedicated fitness fanatics
for many years.

It does appear as though simply being a dedicated fitness fanatic for many years doesn't prevent you from having the problem. On the other hand, it might just make it possible for you to write about having had the problem.

[mcteague]

My Dad died at age 59 from same thing I had. Before they did stents and open heart surgery. At that time....he was told to put Nitro in his mouth if he had any chest pain. My Mom died at age 93 from "advanced age". My cardiologist says I have my Dad's genes.

My blockage was at the intersection of the LAD artery and a smaller artery. Doc says he does not know anything I could have done to prevent this. I don't eat much fat, or dairy products. Do have some yogurt a few days a week.

Don't ignore any chest pains, or try to diagnose yourself.

I was going to ask about your family history. Believe it or not but that seems to have more bearing on this than diet and exercise. Stay well!

Tim

[buddybikes]

As we all know, our bodies can only function for so long, we in this community want that function to last (healthful) as long as possible. Cardiology Intervention today is so much more refined, especially how they use stents vs the old norm of bypass.

Worth having a bottle of baby aspirin in the house, could save your life

Good luck on your recovery, sure you will be ready for spring

[NHAero]

Is there a non-invasive diagnostic today that look at the heart and arteries and assesses blockage? I'd pay for that if it existed, instead of wondering if, despite a reasonable lifestyle, cholesterol number, body weight, and good family history, my circulatory system is a ticking time bomb.

[benb]

The cause could just be being 79.

79 and still riding and eating healthy, don’t beat yourself up, sounds like you’re doing better than 99% of people your age.

[Tickdoc]

Is there a non-invasive diagnostic today that look at the heart and arteries and assesses blockage? I'd pay for that if it existed, instead of wondering if, despite a reasonable lifestyle, cholesterol number, body weight, and good family history, my circulatory system is a ticking time bomb.

Same here. Also in the “deck stacked against me” in the genetics department regarding early heart deaths. I was with my grandfather for his third and final end of life statement when he was in his early seventies and I was only 10 at the time but it has stuck with me.

Might be time for a checkup and thanks for the cautionary reminder!

[Ralph]

Maybe some cardio specialists will come on. You could pay for a calcium score test....I believe that would give you some idea of the condition of your arteries and heart. But don't think my insurance would pay for that. And I have United Medicare Advantage.....it pays for about everything, with a very low deductible.

It seems to me....to get really checked out and fixed up.....and have bill paid by health insurance.....you have to survive a problem that puts you in hospital. Then....they fix you up, and put you on drugs that lessen the chance of it happening again. So just don't die on your first heart attack, and they will fix you up. A bizarre situation seems to me.

[oldpotatoe]

Maybe some cardio specialists will come on. You could pay for a calcium score test....I believe that would give you some idea of the condition of your arteries and heart. But don't think my insurance would pay for that. And I have United Medicare Advantage.....it pays for about everything, with a very low deductible.

It seems to me....to get really checked out and fixed up.....and have bill paid by health insurance.....you have to survive a problem that puts you in hospital. Then....they fix you up, and put you on drugs that lessen the chance of it happening again. So just don't die on your first heart attack, and they will fix you up. A bizarre situation seems to me.

I got one when I was having AFIB in the mid 2000s(2005/6/7?)..and health insurance did not pay for it. Interesting that when I checked in for it, they gave me a discount right off the bat..felt like buying a TV at BestBuy...

I think it's just another tool in the tool kit. I think an angiogram is the best but there are more than a few MDs on this forum..

NOT as serious as the OP but I'm now on 7(7!!) cardiac Rx's per day..PITA...

Cuz the heart doc is all about trying to prevent another afib..even tho she doesn't have any idea WHY I've gotten 3 episodes in the last 6 months(one per year previously, total of 5, last 2009)...get a second opinion this Friday..a cardiac 'electrician', first heart doc a 'plumber'...

[choke]

Glad to hear that you're OK Ralph.

[AngryScientist]

Ralph pal, if i'm reading this right this is great news!

It sounds to me like following your healthy lifestyle you'll re-clog up in another 79 years. hell even if we had a huge factor of safety for the stent unknown, you should have 40 trouble free years on the plumbing.

seriously, glad to hear you are OK and were smart enough to get checked out. i feel like many of us who are much younger would be much more hesitant to go get medical attention and shrug it off. good lesson here for us all.

[thwart]

Glad to hear you're OK, Ralph.

Not a cardiologist but a family doc working some urgent care in my semi-retirement.

We see a lot of chest pain ("didn't think it was bad enough to go to the ER"), also due to insurance/financial disincentives to use the ER and its hefty co-pay.

If you are having any exertional symptoms (even increased fatigue as you mentioned) go and have it checked out. If those chest/jaw/arm or shortness of breath symptoms are persisting even after you rest for a bit, call 911. Please... don't drive over to our urgent care... we call too many ambulances for transport the way it is.

Sounds like you benefited from a very healthy lifestyle, as did Jim Fixx (famous runner, for you younger folks), but eventually... much sooner for him... genetics catches up to you.

To those who posted above about early heart disease in the family, maybe this thread will help you take some steps (cardiac calcium scan, statin drugs, etc) to get to 79 before anything happens... and then when it does, you will be lucky enough to have time to seek help, as Ralph did.

[merlinmurph]

Good story for everybody to hear, with a great ending. Glad to hear it turned out well, Ralph.

A few years ago, a good friend of mine in his mid-50's, a guy we all revered because he was just an animal fitness-wise, went to have a stress test taken - and failed. He wasn't allowed to go home, had to go straight to the hospital. I couldn't get to my doctor fast enough to demand a stress test.

[exapkib]

Just wanted to echo the positive responses here. Thank you for sharing the story--a great reminder of how easy it can be to overlook something that sounds so dramatic, but often feels so inconsequential at first.

We recently lost a dear friend to an undiagnosed heart attack--he had been out shoveling his neighbors' driveways after a storm (like he always did). Said that he felt "funny" afterwards. Laid down for a nap that afternoon (several hours later), and passed in his sleep. Doctors said (after the fact) it was a heart attack brought on earlier in the day. So sad.

[texbike]

Wow! I'm really glad that you're still with us Ralph. I always love your posts and perspectives. Heal fast!

Texbike

[Mikej]

Is there a non-invasive diagnostic today that look at the heart and arteries and assesses blockage? I'd pay for that if it existed, instead of wondering if, despite a reasonable lifestyle, cholesterol number, body weight, and good family history, my circulatory system is a ticking time bomb.

Cardiac calcium scan. It’s a cat scan and my area hospitals offer these for $50, regardless of insurance. I had one. From my understanding, many “endurance” type athletes can have a high cardiac calcium score due to inflammation from over exercising. This can cause calcium buildup in arteries due to the constant quick repair our bodies perform. Many of the numbers we see pushed on us like cholesterol and don’t eat saturated fat and all may not have anything to do with a blockage. I’m not an MD, so grain of salt,please.

[Hawker]

Remember: take the “car” out of cardiac. Arriving in an ambulance can get you critical early treatment in the ambulance and in the ER.

Gotta say AMEN to that. Six years ago I drove myself to my doctors office with some weird neck and left arm discomfort. They did a ERG and said it looked OK but I needed to go to the Emergency room immediately. However, because the Emergency Room was less than a mile away and because my Dr. was a friend he let my wife drive me....but he said normally he would put me in an ambulance. He called and told them I was coming but when I got there I had to wait in line because I showed up myself. Thirty minutes later I almost died. The pain went from slight to off the charts and an hour later I was having a quintuple bypass. I almost bought the farm, because I didn't show up in an ambulance. And did I mention...the pain went from a 3 to a 30 almost instantly and it was darn scary.

Take the ambulance!

[cnighbor1]

Like you I had heart problems when out riding.
I came home. Fed the cats and went to Emergency via Urgent care. Once there heart attack happened . Lucky for that.
One artery was blocked. Next day stent inserted and went home the next day.
Diet for me growing up in Detroit it was meat, potatoes and vegetables with a sugar desert. Now my diet is great and follow the book Food for your blood type Which for me is no red meat plus other food types
I assume it was my first 35 years of diet that led to my heart attack.
Charles at 84

[shinomaster]

Both my grandfathers died from a heart attack, one when quite young (my father's). My dad is 75 and still rides his bike and up some rather large hills, he's in great shape.. His sister had a really bad heart attack a few years ago. She's younger and skinny and had decent cholesterol. She doesn't exercise like my dad but she walks quite a bit. It's either diet or genetics or both. Anyway, I'm somewhat terrified of having one myself at some point. :confused:

[fmradio516]

Is there a diet that is proven to prevent blockages? My grandma had really bad clogged arteries, and my grandpa said it was from eating lots of hard cheeses. Is that still the case or was it just speculation?

Im trying to figure out if i should cut back on milk fat/cheese

[shinomaster]

It's mostly genetics. My dad said my grandmother's cooking killed my grandfather but they ate the same food, which was quite rich.He died in his 60's but she lived to be 92. She was as wide as she was tall and never exercised. Being a Vegan has been proven to lower cholesterol fwiw. Also, sugar can turn your liver in to foie gras https://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/13/well/eat/how-the-sugar-industry-shifted-blame-to-fat.html

[pdmtong]

Very glad you are here Ralph.

While behavior and diet certainly help, sometimes it's just genetics. My cousin is thin, reasonably active, eats right, doesn't smoke or drink. Goes to his annual, doc says he is having a cardiac right now during the exam. Gets his stent. He was in his late 40's at the time.

[Ralph]

Is there a diet that is proven to prevent blockages? My grandma had really bad clogged arteries, and my grandpa said it was from eating lots of hard cheeses. Is that still the case or was it just speculation?

Im trying to figure out if i should cut back on milk fat/cheese

Maybe just eliminate most of that from your diet....my Doc says.

[fmradio516]

Maybe just eliminate most of that from your diet....my Doc says.

Okie doke. 1% it is from now on.

[robt57]

My uncle died @ 82, [heart] and this was 25+ years ago. West KY, lard, meat meat meat. Biscuits made with lard every day at every meal.

He was a steel worker in Chicago back when, between the welding gasses and the 3-4 packs of Chesterfields per day... Not to mention the emphysema since the early 50s.

I guess he got the good genes to be able to abuse fate and still do pretty well.

He also farmed 100 acres for 2-3 decades, DDT and worse et al.

I wonder how my Natures Dice will fall on me occasionally. ;)


To the OP, glad you are here to tell this tale.

To others in this thread maybe of many decades of high HR hammering, echo cardiograms are your friend. ;)

[veggieburger]

Thank you for sharing this story!

[Vonruden]

Just had a nuclear stress test after ekg “looked funny”. I just turned 50 and take meds for Blood pressure and Chloresterol. Doc said blood was flowing good. I’m hoping all these miles are helping me prolong my trips around the sun.

[nobuseri]

Thanks for sharing, Ralph. :beer:

[2LeftCleats]

There are some references made to calcium score obtained from CT. It doesn’t reveal blockages with accuracy. It shows where cholesterol has been present long enough to have accumulated calcium. It won’t show newer and potentially more dangerous cholesterol buildup. It is useful as a decision maker in asymptomatic folks who have a moderate risk of heart disease (based on age, family history, cholesterol, smoking, etc) in whom there is uncertainty about whether to lower cholesterol. If the calcium score is significant, many would recommend starting medication.

Not meaning to derail the thread and am glad Ralph sought attention. He relates a common story that not all cardiac pain is as dramatic as we often assume it would be.

[NHAero]

Is there anything more accurate, even if it costs more?

There are some references made to calcium score obtained from CT. It doesn’t reveal blockages with accuracy. It shows where cholesterol has been present long enough to have accumulated calcium. It won’t show newer and potentially more dangerous cholesterol buildup. It is useful as a decision maker in asymptomatic folks who have a moderate risk of heart disease (based on age, family history, cholesterol, smoking, etc) in whom there is uncertainty about whether to lower cholesterol. If the calcium score is significant, many would recommend starting medication.

Not meaning to derail the thread and am glad Ralph sought attention. He relates a common story that not all cardiac pain is as dramatic as we often assume it would be.

[gasman]

Is there anything more accurate, even if it costs more?

No there really isn’t that i know of. You can get a stress echocardiogram which is very accurate looking at cardiac function under stress but it doesn’t tell you anything about your coronary arteries unfortunately. You could have a heart that works well but have significant critical stenosis that isn’t quite obvious yet.

There are risk factors you can’t change like age, genetics and sex -it’s worse being a guy. Following the Atkins diet very strictly has been shown in good studies to reverse coronary artery disease. It’s hard for most Westerners to follow though . Exercise is of course very valuable.

Ralph I’m glad to hear your okay. You are quite the inspiration !

[OtayBW]

Ralph - Glad you caught it and are on the mend, but I have to ask, not to be picky, but in the spirit of further communication: do you have any thoughts in hindsight about not taking more immediate action when you first felt what are more or less some classic signs of heart attack?

Again, glad it worked out well.

[Ralph]

Yes....I should have gone to the ER a week earlier. Looking back....I was attempting suicide. I went to gym, rode bike there, walked on treadmill, did the elliptical machine after first chest pain. One day came home and got out ladder and blower, climbed on roof and blew out the large gutters around our pool. Only a week later after a 35 mile ride did I admit to myself something was wrong. What was I thinking? Guess some of us think we are immune to normal health issues because we are aging athletes.

Fortunately....and I don't know enough to describe this....but if you have heart muscle damage from a blocked artery....your heart muscle puts out a "marker" which shows up in blood work....in the ER. So they know a lot about your condition very quickly. Fortunately, I have no permanent damage.

My blockage was at an intersection of the LAD and a small artery. They put a stent in the LAD, but couldn't get stent into smaller artery, so just opened it up with a balloon. That small artery is going to need to be watched the rest of my life.

[Ralph]

No there really isn’t that i know of. You can get a stress echocardiogram which is very accurate looking at cardiac function under stress but it doesn’t tell you anything about your coronary arteries unfortunately. You could have a heart that works well but have significant critical stenosis that isn’t quite obvious yet.

There are risk factors you can’t change like age, genetics and sex -it’s worse being a guy. Following the Atkins diet very strictly has been shown in good studies to reverse coronary artery disease. It’s hard for most Westerners to follow though . Exercise is of course very valuable.



Our little family of 3 is totally determined to change how we eat. We had a good diet before, but have more to do. It's easier for me....I'm scared. The Atkins diet, Mediterranean diet, dash diet, add some olive oil, vegetarian diet....eat nothing from an animal, no restaurants, all areas we are exploring.

My LDL from blood work in ER was 93. Not bad. But now goal is under 70 (cardiologist). That's going to be tough. How many of you have LDL's under 70? Maybe some with good genes do. Dr Mirkin says there are some studies that show reduction/reversal of cholesterol in arteries.....if you get LDL under 50. He also says it's probable that most primary care Docs don't have any patients with LDL under 50.

[572cv]

Really glad that you caught this, Ralph. And shared it with us. Some of us are not that far behind you (age wise) ! Reading this discussion among a group of cyclists is quite instructive and cautionary.

I hope your recovery is excellent and you are back out enjoying yourself on a bike again soon.

[jimcav]

Sadly it is too common to downplay signs and symptoms. My experience is that this is often worse for athletic types. My dad ran/jogged until he was 77 and only revealed AFTER his major stroke that he'd had minor TIA's (mini strokes) for years, which he either ascribed to other things or simply chose to self-label as unimportant because they resolved. So, if nothing else I hope all who benefit from you sharing your story take to heart (no pun intended) the lesson of actually paying attention to your body and getting checked when something (whatever) isn't right.
Thank you!
Jim

[C40_guy]

Gave me a nitro pill, had me chew some baby aspirin, and said she was calling EMS immediately.


Glad to hear that you are still with us...

With regard to the above, I just picked up two bottles of aspirin (325 mg, non coated)for exactly this purpose. Stuck one in my travel kit (which is in my bathroom when I'm not traveling) and the other in my work backpack. So...if I suspect anything, I've got aspirin at hand as a first step, while I'm dialing 9 1 1....

BTW, chewing (as PCP prescribed above), is the fastest way to get the aspirin into the system. Remember - uncoated aspirin.

[commandcomm]

Good to hear caught it in time Ralph.

After hearing some many stories about longevity and heath , I think it is 95% genetics.

My grandfather smoked from age 13 and died at age 89. Never had any kind of smoking related cancer. He was smoking unfiltered for awhile too.

My fathers good friend at age 70 decided to get a heart scan after seeing an advertisement. He was in great shape due to being active. He had 99% blockage. My father though maybe I should too and went to get his heart checked. No blockage at all and he eats about whatever he wants.

[Marvinlungwitz]

.

[CO_Hoya]

Thanks for posting.

One point I took from this was the value of an annual physical exam to serve as a a baseline for such an event.

[NHAero]

I just used this calculator. http://www.cvriskcalculator.com/

My risk was calculated at 10.7%, I'm 66. As I raised age to 79 with the same numbers risk went to 25%. Similarly, to get my risk below 7.5%, the level at which this calculator suggests a person should be on a statin, I had to change my numbers to 150/70 Total/HDL Cholesterol. BP 110/80, male, non-smoker, not African-American.

This makes me wonder about this calculator. It appears that it's going to tell almost anyone eligible for Social Security that they should be on a statin.


If you use the ACC risk calculator, I’ll bet your (pre heart attack) risk was about 30%, based upon age alone.

it’s not surprising you had a cardiovascular event, many of us will, even if we take care of ourselves.

Unless someone has more luck than Ponce de Leon (calm down, I know it’s a myth, just joking).

[Marvinlungwitz]

.

[redir]

Thanks for posting your story Ralph I think it is a genuine service to this community. Glad to know you made it!

[soulspinner]

Thanks for posting your story Ralph I think it is a genuine service to this community. Glad to know you made it!

well said...…….

[tylercheung]

I would say - good thing you led such a healthy lifestyle, otherwise, who knows, you might have had this event 10 or 20 years earlier, and more severely...

[Ralph]

I don't know any active people who like to take statins, or who tolerate them well. Especially if you exercise hard and a lot.

On the other hand......every medical professional I ever talked to said they think statins save lives.

I took 10 mg of Crestor twice a week before. Kept my LDL slightly under 100.

Now....I take same dose every day. Am going to listen to the Doc.

[thwart]

One of the criticisms since its inception. But risk indeed goes up significantly with age, and heart disease is prevalent in western society, from which the risk calculation is based.

Fortunately, calcium scoring isn’t terribly expensive, and can be used to sway the decision to start a medication in borderline cases.

Statins are dirt cheap, too, and no one is making a mint off them (anymore). But it’s up to the individual whether to accept the recommendations or fly on their own.
Cardiac calcium scan in layman’s terms.

We would joke that the cardiologists would have statins in the municipal water supply. ;)

[dddd]

Glad to hear of Ralph's positive outcome!!!

From what I've read over the years, we do need to be eating cold-water, oily fish at least twice a week, perhaps daily for those prone to blockages(???).

A few years ago I awoke at 2AM with chest pain, left side. Alarming as it was, I was feeling tired and have favorable genetic history and and with good health numbers, so I only got up, took two aspirin with a glass of water and went back to sleep. Next morning I called the doctor's office and was to be summoned via ambulance to the hospital. I insisted on driving myself there and was admitted immediately, with about five full tests administered, EKG, bloods, BP, treadmill and more, all within what seemed like an hour plus.
I was fine, turned out that a re-start of my floor exercise regimen had left my chest cavity muscles aching that's all.

[HenryA]

I don't know any active people who like to take statins, or who tolerate them well. Especially if you exercise hard and a lot.

On the other hand......every medical professional I ever talked to said they think statins save lives.

I took 10 mg of Crestor twice a week before. Kept my LDL slightly under 100.

Now....I take same dose every day. Am going to listen to the Doc.

Ralph, that sound like a good idea.

I have to say that your years of clean living and exercise is probably the reason you’re here to share this with us. Take care and good luck!

[Chad991]

Wow, glad you are ok...bmi,fitness,diet..all that stuff doesn't always tell the tale. Had a guy at work, former semi pro boxer, runs like a machine, built like a beast, trim and eats well.. fell out at work one day, no warning..guys around did CPR. Luckily he pulled through. Surprised everyone who knew him, especially the younger guys he would beat on runs. The tests that calculate plaque and blockage are necessary before any issues. Any one with some age on them (including me) need to get tested..Be careful and God's speed on your recovery!!!

[rwsaunders]

Thanks for sharing Ralph and good karma headed your way.

[oldpotatoe]

I don't know any active people who like to take statins, or who tolerate them well. Especially if you exercise hard and a lot.

On the other hand......every medical professional I ever talked to said they think statins save lives.

I took 10 mg of Crestor twice a week before. Kept my LDL slightly under 100.

Now....I take same dose every day. Am going to listen to the Doc.

I do take Lipitor daily(20mg), no side effects altho I may not be in the "exercise hard and a lot" category.

My heart doc gave the 'put 100 men like you in a room, 50 take a statin and 50 don't..then look at the heart disease numbers of each group', story.
It were up to him, EVERYBODY who could tolerate a statin should take them.

My total was 219, LDL about 85..165 and 75 about 6 weeks later..have taken it for over 10 years.

[Ralph]

I'm also on a beta blocker blood pressure med for a while. Metoprolol. It slows down heart rate, whether all the time, or just at max, don't know yet.

I do know I won't be able to keep up with the "geriatric" group I ride with for a while. A great group of 60's-70's guys and gals who hammer along better than you would expect. A good collection of A Fib survivors, stent placement, chest been cracked open and fixed up, hip and knee replacement....tough group. Survivors!

Have just decided that's how it is now....for a while. Go down the trail and back for a hour or so....at whatever pace I can.....that's probably enough for good health. Beats the alternative.

[paredown]

Ralph--thanks for sharing; glad that there was a happy ending. Us triple riders need to keep the spirit alive.:banana:

(And as an aside--I am trying to assimilate and act on the fact that one should treat these warning signs seriously--especially if you have graduated to Medicare.

I ignored severe kidney pain a couple of years ago--turns out it was lacerated, clotted etc--a real mess, and required surgery to correct. Should have had the unusual pain checked out the day that I fell HARD on it. Stupid me--pretty much did the 'rub a little dirt on it' equivalent, and then put down a ceramic tile floor the next day while I was in so much pain I could hardly hold the trowel!

Stupid, stupid, stupid.

If it feels unusual, get it checked out. Full stop.)

[rePhil]

Ralph, I love a happy ending! Glad you are on the mend.

[pitonpat]

Im chiming in late, but this is precisely my story too (in 2012). Could be a carbon copy (boy, did i just date myself?) of my experience with LAD blockage. Eight years later and i feel great! Active as ever, on & off the bike.

Every time i go to the cardiologist i ask myself “what the hell am i doing here with all these old folks”, forgetting that I'm 67 and wondering what retirement from my residential contracting business might look like eventually.

Glad you’re on the mend. Good luck to you.

[mosca]

Ralph, thanks for posting this, your posts here are always very thoughtful.

IMO, even though your fitness didn’t prevent the incident, it likely helped you survive it. Heal fast!