OT: Heart Attack

[BobO]

Originally Posted by Dekonick

Did your doctor mention prinzmetal angina or prinzmetal syndrome?

Glad you are O.K. It sucks to have a scare like this but it sure beats the alternative.

Keep us up to date and wishing you the best.

Dek.

Thanks Dek.

Yes, he says it's Prinzmetal, but, in my case it goes into ST segment elevation and elevated troponin. These are not major heart attacks, but then, there's no little ones. The cycle was broken in the ER with nitro and aspirin.

[Dekonick]

Originally Posted by BobO

Thanks Dek.

Yes, he says it's Prinzmetal, but, in my case it goes into ST segment elevation and elevated troponin. These are not major heart attacks, but then, there's no little ones. The cycle was broken in the ER with nitro and aspirin.

That was what I was thinking. Sounds like your cardiologist is all over it - you are getting good advice.

For the record, there are some new studies out showing that taking aspirin as few as 3-4 times a month can have a protective effect; I doubt it will make any difference in Prinzmetals, but it can help elsewhere or if you do have stenosis. (sharing for others) Worth asking about.

Cardiologists are great with the heart, but for stress might I suggest a therapist and psychiatrist? Hear me out: There are constant discoveries, etc... No practitioner can stay abreast of every field. Psychiatrists are brain and brain chemistry specialists - Therapists work hand in hand with them to help with a multitude of issues. Therapists work from cognitive and behavioral aspects while the psychiatrists addresses medication support. The two together can help in many ways too complex to get into here... They will probably involve lifestyle changes, diet, you already do the exercise, and some medications. Together they can help reduce your stress. Don't be fooled by Hollywood and the general public view of 'mental health' as everyone has a brain and all brains can benefit from proper advice that is followed and medications when needed to address chemistry tweaking.

When someone says big pharma is bad and then touts xyz oil as a fix, be wary. Sure you can drink St. Johns Wort tea or foxglove tea or chew willow bark... OR you can take a measured, regulated, and known pill form of the active ingredient and not risk overdose by accident. St. John's Wort tea works like a SSRI - common prescribed anti-depressants. Foxglove's active agent is digoxin... prescribed for irregular heart rates... Willow bark - aspirin... Marajuana? Well - there are prescription pills for the active agents too - but you won't hear that from the 'natural' pushers. My point: prescription drugs are not bad. They aren't good. They are controlled - known sources and known doses and known release times. Known metabolism pathways. We know how much tylenol it takes to kill a liver. A mushroom? Tea? Etc?

Given a choice between a known, measured source V.S. something that has the ingredient - but in unknown quantities, I choose USP. Rant over.

Best

D.

[BobO]

Trust me, learning how to handle the source issues are of primary concern. I don't mind using zoloft or the like to help, but identification of the root cause(s) is the goal. Unfortunately, that is not a simple or quick process. I've been all in on dealing with the cause since the first MI. This one caught me by surprise from an unexpected source. Sort of a psychological trip wire. I'll call it a learning experience and move forward with my growth. Definitely with the help of some professionals.

[vav]

Originally Posted by longlist

had 2.5% body fat. crazy healthy. .

I don't know but I wouldn't call a 2.5 % bf crazy healthy. And the heart of any triathlete or any extreme endurance athlete is also under heavy stress.

[Rpoole8537]

I spent some time studying mindfulness along with my boss. We were managers in a crazy and stressful environment. I recommend Awake At Work. Helped us keep things in perspective. Best of luck in your recovery!