BajaNomad

Get your stress tests now, your heart will thank you for it

EnsenadaDr - 7-15-2015 at 04:45 AM

A close family member, always the athletic one and who never had any chronic illnesses, had "upper reflux" chest pain. She was under the care of a primary physician, and a GI doctor and had her esophagus dilated several times in the past few years for swallowing problems accompanied by chest pain. This past time however, the dilation did not work. She ended up going to the ER a few weeks back, and they took an EKG. However the system wasn't working, but she received a call from the hospital the next day to come in, her cardiac enzymes were elevated and there were changes in her EKG. She had suffered a heart attack in the apex of the heart. A stent was placed in the LAD, which is the main artery to the heart. If this had been blocked she would have certainly died. This is the artery that is known as the widow maker.

Do you have any chest pain or pressure what seems to be reflux occurring on a regular basis? The Cardiologist that died with Tums in his hands didn't even know he was having a heart attack. Please urge your doctor to schedule you for a stress test. This will let you know if there is any significant blockage or spasms that can cause a heart attack.

[Edited on 7-15-2015 by EnsenadaDr]

PaulW - 7-15-2015 at 06:25 AM

Been there - done that. All cleared - now the fitness struggle begins.
PW

KurtG - 7-15-2015 at 08:33 AM

My experience as posted at the time: I had some chest "tightness" while exercising. Went to my primary doctor who did an ekg in his office and then referred me to a cardiologist who had me on the treadmill and did an echocardiogram. That was on a Thursday and I was kept in the hospital over the weekend and had a quad bypass on Monday. That was July 22 two years ago. Fortunately I sought medical help before having a heart attack and as a result am enjoying good health and an active life. I'm 71 and my cardiologist tells me I am in good cardiac health. My advice is to seek medical advice if you feel anything unusual, my symptoms were mild but I would likely be dead if not for timely treatment.

David K - 7-15-2015 at 08:48 AM

Glad you are fixed up, Kurt and Paul!

I also had some sudden weakness episodes last year. They did a stress echo and at CT scan... arteries and heart valves all clear... Then, after wearing a heart monitor for a week, they could easily see I had an arrhythmia (rapid heart beat causing reduced blood flow) and the reason for my three episodes. There is a solution now, and without taking any drugs! The following is what was done last year, all in one afternoon (from Sharp Hospital web page):

1) Anatomical Mapping
Sharp uses advanced technology, including the Carto XP Electro Anatomical Mapping System, to produce 3-D images that show the electrical signals passing through the heart. Anatomical mapping is a type of electrophysiology study. Your physician uses these images to identify the source of the arrhythmia.

2) Ablation
In some cases, once the physician has found the source of the abnormal heart rhythm, he or she ablates (destroys) its pathway through the heart by inserting a catheter (a small narrow tube) through the blood vessels to the area where the abnormal rhythm starts. An electrical current is applied through the catheter to cure the arrhythmia.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I haven't had one episode since!

rts551 - 7-15-2015 at 10:06 AM

Your doctor will tell you...Eat right and get exercise. You can get all the tests you want (and should) but without the above, doctors can only keep fixing things...until there is nothing left to fix anymore.

69% of adults are overweight (FAT).

http://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/health-statistic...


[Edited on 7-15-2015 by rts551]

bajaguy - 7-15-2015 at 10:09 AM

Quote: Originally posted by rts551  
Your doctor will tell you...Eat right and get exercise. You can get all the tests you want (and should) but without the above, doctors can only keep fixing things...until there is nothing left to fix anymore.





You can eat right, get plenty of exercise, pass all of the medical tests and still fall over from heart problems

rts551 - 7-15-2015 at 10:13 AM

Quote: Originally posted by bajaguy  
Quote: Originally posted by rts551  
Your doctor will tell you...Eat right and get exercise. You can get all the tests you want (and should) but without the above, doctors can only keep fixing things...until there is nothing left to fix anymore.





You can eat right, get plenty of exercise, pass all of the medical tests and still fall over from heart problems


Maybe that's why the 69% don't care?

David K - 7-15-2015 at 10:16 AM

Quote: Originally posted by bajaguy  
Quote: Originally posted by rts551  
Your doctor will tell you...Eat right and get exercise. You can get all the tests you want (and should) but without the above, doctors can only keep fixing things...until there is nothing left to fix anymore.





You can eat right, get plenty of exercise, pass all of the medical tests and still fall over from heart problems


Correct. From WebMD:

Congenital heart disease is a category of heart disease that includes abnormalities in cardiovascular structures that occur before birth.

These defects occur while the fetus is developing in the uterus and may affect approximately 1 in 100 children.

Congenital heart defects may produce symptoms at birth, during childhood, or not until adulthood. Other congenital defects may cause no symptoms.

About 500,000 adults in the U.S. have congenital heart disease.

bajaguy - 7-15-2015 at 10:24 AM

Quote: Originally posted by rts551  
Quote: Originally posted by bajaguy  
Quote: Originally posted by rts551  
Your doctor will tell you...Eat right and get exercise. You can get all the tests you want (and should) but without the above, doctors can only keep fixing things...until there is nothing left to fix anymore.





You can eat right, get plenty of exercise, pass all of the medical tests and still fall over from heart problems


Maybe that's why the 69% don't care?






Can happen to those not in the 69% also

Lee - 7-15-2015 at 10:30 AM

Quote: Originally posted by EnsenadaDr  
A close family member, always the athletic one and who never had any chronic illnesses, had "upper reflux" chest pain. She was under the care of a primary physician, and a GI doctor and had her esophagus dilated several times in the past few years for swallowing problems accompanied by chest pain. This past time however, the dilation did not work. She ended up going to the ER a few weeks back, and they took an EKG. However the system wasn't working, but she received a call from the hospital the next day to come in, her cardiac enzymes were elevated and there were changes in her EKG. She had suffered a heart attack in the apex of the heart. A stent was placed in the LAD, which is the main artery to the heart. If this had been blocked she would have certainly died. This is the artery that is known as the widow maker.

Do you have any chest pain or pressure what seems to be reflux occurring on a regular basis? The Cardiologist that died with Tums in his hands didn't even know he was having a heart attack. Please urge your doctor to schedule you for a stress test. This will let you know if there is any significant blockage or spasms that can cause a heart attack.

[Edited on 7-15-2015 by EnsenadaDr]


Patient was tested for years with the same symptoms and the doctors couldn't figure it out? This patient had the WRONG primary physician and GI doctor.

Yeah reflux and chest pain needs to be taken seriously. Obviously that wasn't done by these doctors.

Heal yourself.

rts551 - 7-15-2015 at 10:30 AM

220 million obese. .5 million congenital heart disease. Only on Baja Nominds would we argue this way.

KurtG - 7-15-2015 at 11:09 AM

Quote: Originally posted by rts551  
220 million obese. .5 million congenital heart disease. Only on Baja Nominds would we argue this way.


You are correct, while there are those with heart problems despite good overall condition and diet the majority of us (I include myself) suffer these health problems because of poor diet and exercise habits. Ironically in my case the symptoms showed up after I had started to loose quite a bit of weight and had increased my exercise routine. And before you point it out, I will agree that if I had taken better care 20-30 years earlier I well might not have had coronary artery clogging. The only point I am making here is that no matter what your overall level of health and conditioning you should take any symptoms seriously. You might just save your own life.

SFandH - 7-15-2015 at 11:14 AM

You always hear about "little old men" and "little old ladies".

You never hear much about or see many big old men or ladies.

Also, from the Cleveland Clinic:

"Here’s the big news, folks: Coronary artery disease (CAD), the most common type of heart disease, is reversible. Not just treatable. Not just manageable. Reversible. But to understand what you can do to reverse your disease, you need to know why it occurred in the first place."

http://www.clevelandclinicwellness.com/conditions/CoronaryAr...



[Edited on 7-15-2015 by SFandH]

rts551 - 7-15-2015 at 11:30 AM

Quote: Originally posted by KurtG  
Quote: Originally posted by rts551  
220 million obese. .5 million congenital heart disease. Only on Baja Nominds would we argue this way.


You are correct, while there are those with heart problems despite good overall condition and diet the majority of us (I include myself) suffer these health problems because of poor diet and exercise habits. Ironically in my case the symptoms showed up after I had started to loose quite a bit of weight and had increased my exercise routine. And before you point it out, I will agree that if I had taken better care 20-30 years earlier I well might not have had coronary artery clogging. The only point I am making here is that no matter what your overall level of health and conditioning you should take any symptoms seriously. You might just save your own life.


Well said!

Lee - 7-15-2015 at 11:30 AM

If you are looking for help with medical conditions, look first at your doctor.

If your doctor is overweight, obese, you are going to the wrong doctor.
Quote: Originally posted by SFandH  

Also, from the Cleveland Clinic:

"Here’s the big news, folks: Coronary artery disease (CAD), the most common type of heart disease, is reversible. Not just treatable. Not just manageable. Reversible. But to understand what you can do to reverse your disease, you need to know why it occurred in the first place."

http://www.clevelandclinicwellness.com/conditions/CoronaryAr...

[Edited on 7-15-2015 by SFandH]


The obese 69% already know the above. They're probably old and have given up. Yeah eat right stay fit die anyway.

Easy to fit in and be obese in Mexico as that's how much of the local population ends up.

Whatever.

SFandH - 7-15-2015 at 11:48 AM

The evidence that coronary artery disease is reversible is relatively new. The amount of plaque in your arteries can be reduced with diet and medications. It beats going under the knife.

This was first discovered by a doctor at the Cleveland Clinic who worked with patients the cardiologists had written off because they couldn't withstand bypass surgery. The doctor was able to reduce the blockages and keep the patients alive with statins and diet.


[Edited on 7-15-2015 by SFandH]

Lee - 7-15-2015 at 01:31 PM

Quote: Originally posted by SFandH  
The evidence that coronary artery disease is reversible is relatively new. The amount of plaque in your arteries can be reduced with diet and medications. It beats going under the knife.
[Edited on 7-15-2015 by SFandH]


Yes it's new and I'm sure some cardiologists don't want to hear it. My 2nd and 3rd cardiologists said I needed to see the cardiophysiologist about ablation and I said yeah well someday I might but it wasn't going to be now.

Along with new studies today I'm hearing Motrim, Aleve, ibuprofen and who knows what other meds increase the risk of heart attack. Wish my othro surgeon communicated with my cardio guy. OS told me to take 2 Aleve in the a.m., 2 at night, indefinitely for hip arthritis. I lasted a few days and said BASTA!

Last month stopped heart meds and statins in lieu of squeaky clean diet and cardio workouts. B/P is normal and I've dropped 5 pounds. It's working. Sure miss the alcohol.

bezzell - 7-15-2015 at 02:21 PM

bwhahaha there's nothing new about reversing heart disease knowledge. When was it .... 5th century? ... when a dude suggested "Let thy food be thy medicine" Hippocrates (sp) ??

"b..b..b..bbut we're omnivores! we're s'pose to stick dead rotting flesh inside our living bodies (forget the inevitable smelliness!) ... even though our physiology through 100's of 1000's of years of evolution, would indicate otherwise! Mommy told me so!!"

It doesn't matter that aetherosclorosis (sp), the NUMBER 1 killer in the West, is an affliction EXCLUSIVE to herbivores ! ;D;D

https://www.drmcdougall.com/misc/2007nl/may/meat.htm

https://www.drmcdougall.com/misc/2013nl/jul/one.htm

wake up. :saint: and don't listen to non-healthy doctors for christs' sake!

The fat you eat, is the fat you wear.

There's no profit in a healthy population.








"bb..b.b..b..bb ...but the volcanos!! what about the volcanos!!??" :lol::lol:

rts551 - 7-15-2015 at 03:11 PM

I know where I would bet my life on...


Don't listen to novices who know better than everyone else, including the doctors.

bezzell - 7-15-2015 at 03:36 PM

Quote: Originally posted by rts551  
I know where I would bet my life on...


Don't listen to novices who know better than everyone else, including the doctors.


That's the ticket! Go with the 'tried & true' :o ... 'cause just take a look around the greatest lab ever produced (called planet earth) and you can see how well the meat-laiden societies are doin' !! :lol::lol::lol::lol:

SFandH - 7-15-2015 at 03:37 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Lee  

Last month stopped heart meds and statins in lieu of squeaky clean diet and cardio workouts. B/P is normal and I've dropped 5 pounds. It's working. Sure miss the alcohol.


Great! But, but, but......"Sure miss the alcohol." Oh man, fate worse than death. Stay on the statins and wash them down with your favorite fermented beverage. That's my totally uninformed Rx. ;)

rts551 - 7-15-2015 at 03:41 PM

Quote: Originally posted by bezzell  
Quote: Originally posted by rts551  
I know where I would bet my life on...


Don't listen to novices who know better than everyone else, including the doctors.


That's the ticket! Go with the 'tried & true' :o ... 'cause just take a look around the greatest lab ever produced (called planet earth) and you can see how well the meat-laiden societies are doin' !! :lol::lol::lol::lol:


I have. And I am happy. Another fish taco please. Hmmmm Got some carne asada tacos to go pls. heavy on the salsa.

deportes - 7-15-2015 at 05:42 PM

Do yourself a favor and buy the book Vitamin k and the calcium paradox. It explains how to remove the calcium buildup on your arteries and depositing that calcium in your bones instead!

Natto or vitamin K2, vitamin A, and sunshine is the prescription to remove the calcium form your arteries!
Statins are the biggest rip off ever! Watch the movie "Statin nation" if you don't believe me!

Enjoy your health and collect social security for a long time, that's my plan!:coolup:

rts551 - 7-15-2015 at 05:48 PM

Quote: Originally posted by deportes  
Do yourself a favor and buy the book Vitamin k and the calcium paradox. It explains how to remove the calcium buildup on your arteries and depositing that calcium in your bones instead!

Natto or vitamin K2, vitamin A, and sunshine is the prescription to remove the calcium form your arteries!
Statins are the biggest rip off ever! Watch the movie "Statin nation" if you don't believe me!

Enjoy your health and collect social security for a long time, that's my plan!:coolup:


Social Security??? The Right/conservatives will finally take that away to balance the budget and pay for the defense/industrial monster budget.

deportes - 7-15-2015 at 05:54 PM

I know I am dreaming!

bezzell - 7-15-2015 at 06:45 PM

Quote: Originally posted by rts551  
I have. And I am happy. Another fish taco please. Hmmmm Got some carne asada tacos to go pls. heavy on the salsa.


Good for you!
Not good for the health (the science is in)
Not good for the fish or the cow (or their younguns) but hey, who cares right?? It's not like the planet is 'suffering' or anything!

Me, Me .. I... I ...

:lol::lol: carry on. Ignorance is bliss as they say. (just ask your nemesis :wow: )

rts551 - 7-15-2015 at 07:25 PM

Quote: Originally posted by bezzell  
Quote: Originally posted by rts551  
I have. And I am happy. Another fish taco please. Hmmmm Got some carne asada tacos to go pls. heavy on the salsa.


Good for you!
Not good for the health (the science is in)
Not good for the fish or the cow (or their younguns) but hey, who cares right?? It's not like the planet is 'suffering' or anything!

Me, Me .. I... I ...

:lol::lol: carry on. Ignorance is bliss as they say. (just ask your nemesis :wow: )


Now you would not kill that poor cauliflower would you? It was about to flower and and have babies.:lol:

deportes - 7-15-2015 at 07:52 PM

What science is in?

EnsenadaDr - 7-15-2015 at 10:52 PM

Someone PMd me and said there are no more treadmill stress tests North of the Border. My friend said she got an exercise treadmill test at Sharp Memorial last week after they placed the stent. They do have other chemical stress tests without exercise as well. Anyone up on recent exercise stress tests being performed in the US?

tripledigitken - 7-15-2015 at 11:33 PM

Quote: Originally posted by EnsenadaDr  
Someone PMd me and said there are no more treadmill stress tests North of the Border.


I had a treadmill stress test done last month. I get them yearly. I also had a chemical one done when I was recuperating from an ACL repair surgery a few years back.

rts551 - 7-16-2015 at 06:48 AM

Quote: Originally posted by EnsenadaDr  
Someone PMd me and said there are no more treadmill stress tests North of the Border. My friend said she got an exercise treadmill test at Sharp Memorial last week after they placed the stent. They do have other chemical stress tests without exercise as well. Anyone up on recent exercise stress tests being performed in the US?


Healthy Heart in Tucson does them. I just had one last year.

KurtG - 7-16-2015 at 07:41 AM

Quote: Originally posted by EnsenadaDr  
Someone PMd me and said there are no more treadmill stress tests North of the Border. My friend said she got an exercise treadmill test at Sharp Memorial last week after they placed the stent. They do have other chemical stress tests without exercise as well. Anyone up on recent exercise stress tests being performed in the US?


I had a follow up treadmill stress test/ultrasound a few months ago. They are still very much in use and apparently with the new 3D Ultrasound the tests are better than ever. For me the follow up stress test was very reassuring. When I saw my cardiologist last month he reviewed those test results and a resting ekg done that day in his office and described them as "boring" then said "see you in a year."

There has been some comment here about advances in non-surgical treatment of coronary artery disease and there have certainly been advancements in that area. However for those of us with clogged arteries and no heart damage it appears bypass surgery can restore a level of physical function that in my case I find quite remarkable. My endurance is better than it was 10 years ago when I was only in my 60's. I especially notice it at altitude where I used to really struggle. Of course, it doesn't hurt that I weigh about 80#'s less than I did 10 years ago. While open heart surgery is a traumatic event that I don't want to experience again the results for me have been outstanding.

I had as interesting talk with one of my surgeons about the development of the heart-lung machine and the refinement of the whole process. It seems that 1977 was the crux year in that that was when they learned how to reliably restart the heart and also how to mostly eliminate clotting which caused post op strokes. It seems remarkable to me that this level of care is available to me in a small city (San Luis Obispo).

David K - 7-16-2015 at 07:44 AM

Quote: Originally posted by EnsenadaDr  
Someone PMd me and said there are no more treadmill stress tests North of the Border. My friend said she got an exercise treadmill test at Sharp Memorial last week after they placed the stent. They do have other chemical stress tests without exercise as well. Anyone up on recent exercise stress tests being performed in the US?


Yes, a couple of different chemical tests (one is done in nuke med).

These are non treadmill tests for people who physically cannot do those.

Drugs are used to raise the heart rate instead of exceise (treadmill).

I did a treadmill stress echo last year... passed with flying colors!

norte - 7-16-2015 at 09:08 AM

Quote: Originally posted by David K  
Quote: Originally posted by EnsenadaDr  
Someone PMd me and said there are no more treadmill stress tests North of the Border. My friend said she got an exercise treadmill test at Sharp Memorial last week after they placed the stent. They do have other chemical stress tests without exercise as well. Anyone up on recent exercise stress tests being performed in the US?


Yes, a couple of different chemical tests (one is done in nuke med).

These are non treadmill tests for people who physically cannot do those.

Drugs are used to raise the heart rate instead of exceise (treadmill).

I did a treadmill stress echo last year... passed with flying colors!


Was that before or after you had the work done?

David K - 7-16-2015 at 09:24 AM

Before... Kaiser tested and scanned me to determine what was the correct action to take. The stress (treadmill) echo was first, then the ct scan, as I recall... the heart mapping and ablation was last December. Kaiser uses the facility at Sharp Hospital.