Angioplasty

[Artery0917]

Hi everyone,

My name is Afzal, male aged 55. I exercise regularly (play squash 2 times a week for many years) do not drink or smoke and weigh 12 st

I have always been quite fit and apart from type 2 diabetes which I control very well, I have no other issues.

However I was really shocked to have a heart attack last Wednesday evening and was rushed to hospital where they performed an angioplasty and placed a stent.

I feel fine and have to take quite a few tablets for the heart.

I am still wondering how someone like me who exercises regularly and eats healthily would still have a heart attack.

Hope to hear from you guys soon.

Thank You

[skid112 Heart Star]

Hi there, afraid it isn't an exact science, some are more susceptible than others. There are many theories about what the risks are and who is likely to suffer as many in here will testify

[Artery0917 in reply to skid112]

Hello and thanks for the reply. It's great I am getting some knowledge into this which will help me a lot for the future

[Sina-6491]

Yes skid112 is right, there is many reasons for us to suffer HTs.

It is also a case that you may create more collesstrol than the average person. Evan if you are very careful with your diet.

Sorry to hear you had the HT, glad you are over the worst now 😊

[Artery0917 in reply to Sina-6491]

Thankfully I am over the worst now and the next few weeks will be about getting in a routine with the aim of normal activities in the near future

Thank you

[KEN65]

Hi Afzal, Similar to yourself I also was shocked to find I had a CA with now 6 stents, but this was due to my high cholesterol over many years, and I was on tablets but not good enough as it turns out.18 months later I am coming off certain drugs and the one that i feel is tough on me is the Bisoporolol that reduces the strain on your heart, but when you come off and try to do things without it, a new experience for you with muscle ache, still I wish you well and speedy recovery.

[Artery0917 in reply to KEN65]

Thanks very much for the insight. Any knowledge is great help and hope for the best for everyone here.

[Kristin1812 Heart Star]

Hi. I hope things are settling down for you. The most unchangeable factor in heart disease is genetics. Clearly you are really fit, and I felt rather like you, having a fairly healthy lifestyle, but I apparently have rubbish genes!

We change what we can, but can be more vulnerable because of our genes.

Now, I have been fairly stable for 5 or so years.

My daughter told me 'you're not defined by your illness, you are still you' Wise words. A kind way of telling me to get on with it. I now work on the things can change.

I hope you manage to get back to fitness as soon as able.

Let us know how you get on.

[Artery0917 in reply to Kristin1812]

Thanks for the reply and some very useful advise. I am quite determined to get back to previous fitness soon. Do you think having no family history my attack could still be genetic. Your daughter has some great words which I will keep in mind!

All the best

[Kristin1812 Heart Star in reply to Artery0917]

Hi again. Sounds as if you have checked close family and found nothing to indicate a cardiac risk. I had some v clear indications in close relatives, like father and uncle. But a rather messed up and secretive family and my mothers early death, didn't help get a clear picture. Perhaps your family history is more orderly than mine!

[Artery0917 in reply to Kristin1812]

Hi Kristin

You did make me laugh!

As you mentioned correctly I could not trace any family history to indicate heart problems, but like Chris said earlier having diabetes can be a high risk factor.

Anyway I'm trying to get a bit more active now with regular walks etc so hopefullly on the mend now!

Afzal

[Hidden]

Hi Afzal - I'm sorry to hear about your heart attack and that it was such a shock to you. Type 2 diabetes, even when it's well controlled, is a major risk factor for heart disease so that might explain why you had a heart attack.

Some minority ethnic groups, particularly South Asians, also have an increased risk of type 2 diabetes because genetically they're more likely to put on fat around their middle. They also have an increased risk of coronary heart disease, although we're not 100% sure why.

You might find it interesting to read our article written with Dr Sandy Gupta: bhf.org.uk/heart-matters-ma...

I hope this helps, Chris

[Artery0917 in reply to Hidden]

Hello Chris

Thank you so much for the response and I must say it's quite a learning curve with the information I am taking form you guys here, so it's much appreciated!

The good news is I feel very well and at the moment I am taking a few short walks a day without having any problems, I'm taking this a positive sign.

I really hope that my previous fitness will come in good use in the near future as I strive to get back to normal activities in the next few weeks.

Thanks

Afzal