Recent CAD diagnosis at 48: Hi everyone... - British Heart Fou...

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Recent CAD diagnosis at 48

VickyHK72 profile image
14 Replies

Hi everyone, this is my first post. I’ve recently been diagnosed with CAD, no symptoms but a sibling contacted me to say she’d just been diagnosed and had been told to tell siblings to get checked out. I’m 48, string family history, my dad had 2 heart attacks in mid 40’s then a triple bypass and died from a heart attack at 57. He was a smoker so we always assumed this was the cause. I’m in shock about my diagnosis, extremely anxious, I have 2 kids and am so scared about history repeating itself. I’d love to hear from anyone who could give me advice and any tips or reassurance. At the moment I’m thinking every twinge is a heart attack and I can’t sleep. Thankyou.

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VickyHK72 profile image
VickyHK72
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14 Replies
QuadroVEINia profile image
QuadroVEINia

Hi,

I assume after your recent diagnosis you were given some advice and a plan to manage your condition? There is the interventions from your clinicians, as appropriate, including the meds, and then what you can do to manage your health through changes to lifestyle.

I was diagnosed with aggressive CAD in 2012, had 8 stents inserted at various times, and most recently underwent a quad bypass (10 weeks ago). It sounds like a lot but I am grateful with how I have been looked after, beyond that I look after myself, have a good diet, stay physically active... and enjoy life!

Twinges are part of the course, I can tell you I have never had a heart attack, feel positive and confident for the future, and hopefully you will too.

If I can help with answering any other questions about CAD and my experience feel free to ask.

Good luck

VickyHK72 profile image
VickyHK72 in reply to QuadroVEINia

Thankyou for your reply, that’s really reassuring. I’m on statins and blood pressure medication. No aspirin at this point. I’m a bit worried the cardiologist didn’t suggest any follow up whereas I want monitoring rather than relying on symptoms developing. Do you mind me asking how old you were when diagnosed and do they know why you have this? I’ve been told mine is likely inherited. My diet was previously not too bad but I’ve bought a few books and changed it to be semi vegetarian, avoiding sat fats, eating plenty of beans and varied veg, I’ve stopped drinking completely (something I think I may go back to in moderation but for now Ive stopped) cut out processed food, and cakes biscuits etc. I’m trying to lose some weight as I’m a bit overweight and to do some exercise each day.Do you see a cardiologist regularly or does you GP mainly look after you? I’m glad your care has been so good and hope you’re recovering well from your bypass. Thankyou for your help.

QuadroVEINia profile image
QuadroVEINia

Not at all, I don’t mind you asking. I was 43 when diagnosed and yes it is inherited. I used the word ‘aggressive’ to describe my CAD because that is how my cardiologist described it to illustrate how active it is.

From your reply above you are already doing all the right things so well done... I also believe you can enjoy the slightly naughtier things in life and again you have picked up in the key word... moderation!

The meds you are on are standard, I’m on the same, if you are not on aspirin there will be good reason and you should ask your GP to explain to reassure you... maybe your CAD is not severe?

I see my cardiologist when I need to, I also stay in close contact with my cardiac rehab team... and my GP is also supportive, but they trust me to come to them only when appropriate symptoms are beginning to show (this is important to build that trust with them).

Exercise is key... this is my best advice to anybody. If nothing else try to get some steps in everyday. I still play and coach football with older adults and enjoy every moment.

Let me know if you have anymore questions!

84green profile image
84green

Hi Vicky and welcome to the forum.

I was diagnosed with "mild" CAD a year ago (touch wood - no heart "events", angina or surgical intervention so far). Even after a year, I find the mental side of things difficult sometimes and link every ache and pain to my heart.

How were you diagnosed (eg angiogram)? It seems that genetic factors played a large part in your CAD. For me it was my lifestyle I'm sure. That said, my cholesterol has always been normal and I've never smoked.

The good news is that your CAD has been identified at an early stage and with the right medication and lifestyle changes (smoking, weight, diet, exercise) - if relevant, you can stop it progressing. So, apart from the anxiety it brings, your diagnosis is actually a positive.

At your stage it is likely that you will be referred to the care of your GP who will refer you to a cardiologist if needed. It may be worth discussing with the the symptoms you should look out for. I also think it's important to understand what medication you're taking and why.

The BHF site and helpline are also excellence sources of reliable information. Try not to "over google" - it's easy to scare yourself with out of date, inaccurate or very complex reports on the internet. A cardiologist advised me that every time I think about googling, I should go for a run instead.

I came across this article recently which, whilst very general in nature, you might find helpful:

narayanahealth.org/blog/cor...

The most important thing to focus on now is that you have the chance to manage your CAD and either stop it from progressing or slow it to a crawl. If it ever becomes necessary there are elective surgical procedures that can help. But these may never be necessary. Sadly, for many, the first they know of their CAD is a heart attack.

Best wishes

VickyHK72 profile image
VickyHK72 in reply to 84green

Thankyou! The ‘not googling’ sounds like good advice, I have done far too much if that, read lots of online scientific papers that I don’t have the expertise to interpret and just make me panic. I am a bit of a natural pessimist so the mental side of this has hit me hard, my GP has prescribed me sertraline and advised I should have some talking therapy alongside the statins and blood pressure medication. Several friends have also said my diagnosis is a positive, and in time I’m sure I’ll agree! It has been a wake up call to adjust my diet and lifestyle (I’ve never smoked). In terms of my diagnosis, i had a normal ECG and echo cardio gram and then had a CT angiogram which showed mild atherosclerosis in one artery (the LAD) and the radiologist told me it was unusual to find anything in a woman my age (48) which added to my panic. He did also say it was mild and he wasn’t concerned about it. Cardiologist agreed and told me the best thing to do was to take the meds and try to forget about it. But no follow up plan which concerns me. I think I need to ask my gp to refer me to an nhs cardiologist as the initial cardiologist was private through work bupa cover. I think as you say I need to get my head around this and move forward in a positive way. Thankyou for taking the time to reply to me, hearing from people with a similar diagnosis is so helpful.

MichaelJH profile image
MichaelJHHeart Star

Hello and welcome to the forum!

A friend's mother had a heart attack over 40 years ago while another's father had a bypass around the same time. Both are in their mid-nineties and doing well for their age. Over the years their medication has needed changing as as liver and kidneys function less well with age.

So work with your Gp/cardiologist, stick to the rules and take your meds, and you should do well.

sailby profile image
sailby

Hi VickyWelcome to the most helpful place when you have CAD I was diagnosed at 50, found it difficult at first, but people here were really good at being honest and reassring and sharing experiences I found it so helpful.

My brothers both had heart attacks at 40 without symptoms they have both had bypasses and are now 53 and 61 living full and active lives.

I was fortunate to have had symptoms and be diagnosed so I could be treated, I recently had 2 stents inserted.

You have been diagnosed, you are on meds it is difficult, but you can enjoy life again. The key is moderation enjoy some treats but be sensible take the meds and stay active.

Smileyian profile image
Smileyian

I am so sorry you have had a diagnosis so young but since your Dads time, enormous progress has been made in both diagnostics and treatment of the myriad of cardiac problems. I trust you have a good cardiologist and may I wish you well going forward. There is lots of superb support on here.

LBCdance profile image
LBCdance

Sorry to be ignorant but what is CAD?

Milkfairy profile image
MilkfairyHeart Star in reply to LBCdance

CAD

Coronary artery disease also known as Coronary heart disease

bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...

LBCdance profile image
LBCdance in reply to Milkfairy

Thank you, don't know why I couldn't work it out, but I like to know , not out of an unhealthy interest but it is useful to be able to see some of the variations and differences there are in heart disease

Ianc2 profile image
Ianc2

If you can continue doing what you are doing you can look forward to a much fitter and more enjoyable life. I take it you have read about the Mediterranean diet which is a very pleasant way of eating, but quite a break from the pizzas, pies, biscuits, sugary cakes and chips. There is a lot of reputable research on the BHF website which backs up the need for lifestyle changes and how effective those changes can be,

I have seen a few comments on this site along the lines of 'It is 80% what you eat and 20% exercise'. If you think of your body as an energy burning machine you have to match up your energy in with your energy out otherwise your body will turn the excess fuel into fat and store it in your bloodstream as well as your waist.

If you want to keep track of your exercise there are plenty of cheap trackers you can strap on your wrist or you can use your phone. Can be addictive though, especially if you get your family /friends involved

If you stick with it you will feel much better, fitter, more active, probably live a lot longer, enjoy life and possibly drop a dress size.

VickyHK72 profile image
VickyHK72 in reply to Ianc2

Thanks! Yes Ive researched (a bit) the Mediterranean diet and also plant based diets. Tbh my diet previously wasn’t too bad I don’t think, too much alcohol for sure and maybe too much cheese and salt. I’ve cut all those out now and increased my activity (very sedentary and high stress job) I’m really hoping to see the rewards when I have my next cholesterol test in a few weeks time. I’ve been a bit of a yo yo dieter over the years so think some consistency will hopefully help too.

Thanks for everyone’s comments and reassurance, I’m so grateful.

Raylpa profile image
Raylpa

I share a similar personal and family history experience. In addition to all the great previous advice here also look up lipoprotein (a) this isn’t measured in routine lipid tests but high levels are associated with early onset CHD and if you have a family history insist on a referral to a specialist lipid clinic who can arrange a test. Levels of this lipid also expressed as Lp(a) are genetically inherited and drugs to lower are in stage 3 trails across the world. Good luck, to finish positive I had a acute coronary syndrome and stent 5 years ago, still here at 60 and fitter than at 50

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