Supposedly a fit and healthy 40 year old Male who started getting chest pain during exercise about a year ago. Diagnosed with atherosclerosis about a month ago and fitted with a stent 2 weeks ago.
It's been a rollercoaster. Scary and unexpected but coming to terms with it slowly now. Stopped smoking, eating even healthier than before and even more physical. My dad died at 63 of heart failure so looks as though there is only so much that improvements in lifestyle will make. I'm struggling to get my head around this fact more than anything else. How did you come to terms with your diagnosis?
Written by
Badger4
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Welcome to the club. Just as an initial comment, when you say your dad died of heart failure what exactly was that, if you know? Was it a cardiac arrest or heart attack or other problem? You are very young to be diagnosed with atherosclerosis have the medics given you any idea of how it has occurred so early? My Dad had a HA but he had atherosclerosis as I do, so to a degree it is genetic. Don't take this the wrong way but smoking is a big contributor but I am not sure how much it would affect you at your age, I think you might have to have a total revaluation of your lifestyle to try and prevent further problems?
Not sure of the details of dads heart issues, just know that he died of heart failure. You are right, smoking certainly doesn't help but I've never been a heavy smoker. Not over weight at all, very active and a healthy eater.
I'm feeling fairly hard done by! I realise that there are many positives to my situation and it could be a lot worse. Not usually a negative person but struggling with this one.
It's natural to feel hard done by, especially at your age. I have no idea of your medical background, but obviously the atherosclerosis has been building up over time, like most of us. With the exception of some theories the most likely thing is that your type of diet has contributed to the plaque build up. What was you cholesterol level like do you know? Not sure what you level of exercise has been or of what type? Like a lot on here I think you have to take the view that you are now embarking on a "second life" and have to change possibly dramatically your lifestyle. It's not what you wanted but at least it is something to focus on to take you mind of things. Your diet may need to change, you might need to start different forms of cardio based exercise, and so on. There is loads of help available and this place is a good start.
Thank you. I certainly didnt fit the stereotype of high cholesterol life style. 5.3 but have changed diet by cutting out almost all dairy and meat. With the help of statins I now have it down to 3.9. I appreciate you spending the time to reply. You sound as though you have a good perspective on your condition. I will be there soon enough. Thank you. Take it easy
5.3 was too high for you family history, but you are probably too young for it to have been picked up sadly. I have also cut out all meat and most diary, and follow a plant based diet but do eat fish. I am 32 months down the line and and doing fine, no reason why you can't be hopefully! After much research and advice "from the horses mouth" I am a firm believer that the Statin will play a big part in your future well being, try not blame it for any side effects you might think it is causing. what other meds are you on?
It's really not easy is it, I'm 45, had a heart attack just before Christmas, I was very fit and healthy running 35 miles a week, hence the name, so this came as a massive shock. I have been up and down on a rollercoaster of emotion since, so what you're going through is perfectly normal. I've tried lots of approaches, attitude of gratitude, mindfulness, counselling, time off, etc, some of this 'works' but other days I think this is just awful and why me? take care and enjoy a Badger, it's my favourite beer!
@Badger4 I am in your shoes, 10 years older but fit and healthy before getting stented, then suffering cardiac arrest and getting two more stents. It's hard, but you're not alone. My father also had serious artery problems, but he was a heavy smoker, and eventually died of cancer at age 75, 30 years after his first heart issues. So clearly we can live long, productive lives.
Hi Badger. You have every right to feel the way you do. I had a SCA at home 7 years ago aged 42. It will take time and take all the time you need. It's hard coming to terms with it all but you will get there. You're doing all the right things and giving up smoking is fantastic. Remember your body needs time to heal but so does your mind x
The important thing is if you have had any heart muscle damage. I would imagine probably not. An echo cardiogram would tell. If not, you are likely to make a full recovery. People are right. Smoking is literally a killer,
My brother in law had a stent fitted after a heart attack at least 25 years ago. He made a complete recovery, and is still going strong at the age of 75.
Here's the good news, by quitting smoking you've already done the single most important thing of all. So congratulations on that mammoth achievement! Heart disease deaths in the UK have more than halved from the 1970's to today. Some of that is down to improvements in medication and medical practises, but the majority of that improvement is probably due to the simple decline in smoking. Incidentally, some authorities claim that, unlike with cancer, the key heart disease problem is nicotine. So if you are weaning yourself off cigarettes with vapes or nicotine patches, then you should probably think of it as a transitional measure, with a longer term objective of being completely nicotine free.
Now, here's the not so good news, atherosclerosis is for life. All any of us can do is aim to slow down the progress of our heart disease to an absolute crawl. Medication is part of that battle, but life style changes are the other weapon. And some say it's life style that's actually the key part of your armoury. Again, it looks like you're doing all the right things, you're curious to find out more about life style changes, and you've got the motivation and discipline to implement them.
Keep at it Badger, it sounds to me like you're going to be a survivor in this battle.
Thanks everyone. You will know how good it feels to talk with others who have been through the same as you. It feels as though I'm on the right track, just got to keep walking (and stop drinking so much full fat milk)!
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
What's the research evidence around long-term use of Atorvastatin?
Worried about my new diagnosis of high cholesterol
What does my stenosis diagnosis really mean?
Could it be angina? Or endocarditis? Or in my head? This is a long post sorry!
Getting the weight off my chest...
