Hey Everyone, I'm Ben and 32 years of age from Dorset.
As of last Friday, my doctor has put me on statins to reduce my cholesterol level and also a daily low dose of Asprin. He said this was for prevention of HA and stroke, as I've never had one. I had Mild Diffuse Coronary artery disease diagnosed when I was 28, and it showed mild atherosclerosis. Me being 28 I forgot about it quickly which I regret. My family has a history of heart issues, and this was factored in. I then had to have my BP and blood done yearly. I'm older now and still not in great shape, but after the phone call with the doctor after my blood test results, I'm determined to get in shape and I know I need to sort myself out.
I am struggling mentally with this though. Do I see this as a positive that it has been caught before something bad happens? Or am I doomed for life and have to worry 24/7? Sorry to end it so negatively; it's really affected me. After a few days, my appetite has only come back.
Hope everyone is doing well.
Ben
Written by
BennyChelsea
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I’m so glad you and your docs are pro-active and starting you on statins. The first interaction most people have with heart disease is a heart attack, which is fatal. You are right to view statins as your wake up call until you learn to manage your situation without meds, or not.
You have incredible control over the future you want. We have family heart conditions too. My brother chose the statin route. I don’t like the responsibility of taking medications and chose to DRASTICALLY alter my eating choices to get in shape. I went Dr. Esselstyne vegan since I don’t care for exercising. Technically, it is called Whole Food, Plant Based since you can be an unhealthy junk food vegan. At the two year mark, my weight went down drastically, like my outside body was catching up to my healthier inside body.
And, now that my weight is off, I am starting to exercise and plan to have enviable biceps.
Your head now is where mine has been, so I get you. It gets much better when you control it as oppose to it controlling you! Consider learning about exactly what you have and be even more knowledgeable than your doc. You are the CEO of your health!
maybe correct the statement the first interaction with heart disease is a heart attack and is fatal, I had a stemi heart attack and a lot here have too and we are here.
Have to agree, Baly - my heart attacks from two years ago certainly didn't kill me either! 🫨 At this minute in time this morning I'm just getting myself ready for the daily trudge to work and leading an almost perfectly normal life while taking the prescribed medications that will help me to stay that way. Those medications, a few necessary tweaks to my lifestyle in terms of diet and exercise, a triple bypass and I feel, and am, fitter than I did before having them.👍
same, had my breakfast, already on my laptop doing analysis and waiting for summer, hot days, barbecues, thinking about my new pt gym session tomorrow, the dreaded weekly shop, school runs, hassle from the boss .
having a HA isn't the end of it, it can be the beginning of a more focused, more appreciative , more healthy way of life.
Ben you are lucky some people are further advanced before they know anything is wrong. The thing about statins is that they help to reduce the "fats" in your system and if all you ever have to do is take a tablet once a day you will do well, think about Diabetics or Epileptics or a range of other problems people have. It is also advised that you do "something" in the exercise area how about a 20/ 30 min walk each day, in diet reduce the cream or chocolate or .... you get where I am going with it stopping altogether is where people fail because they don't really want to, but cutting down just a little is very doable. A lot of us do things we really don't want to, go to work clean the house!! but once you have a regime life is easier and your chances of it getting worse reduce surely that is worth working for.
My dad and mum both developed heart disease in their late 30's/ early 40's.
I'm 53 now.
I was too young to understand it/ pay attention to it but they took whatever medicines and advice was given then ( control weight, eat more healthy) and are now enjoying life ( an active life) well into retirement.
With the advancements in medicines, the greater understanding into the factors, monitoring and prevention advice I reckon if you follow the advice, take your medication, sort your diet/lifestyle out and get fit you will be fine and live a good life.
It fine to be worried, maybe it's a good thing as its a reminder to take action now, keep taking that action and then you will see the results and the worry/anxiety goes away.
It's good you've been caught so early. Great idea to work on your fitness. That'll help stave off all sorts of problems as you become older. Watch what you eat and drink as well. The regular check ups will keep an eye on your condition.
hi Ben. Along with what’s been said : Your medical team has probably pointed you to the right websites for reference, but I would strongly endorse Blood Pressure UK if your pressure is above normal .
And take care when googling about diet and exercise - only use sites you can trust such as this one, NHS, BHF. Only start paying for something if nothing else works. But, a healthy diet and moderate exercise will work wonders and it’s so fortunate that you are addressing issues now: your future self will congratulate you!
Just a word of warning - you may come across the NHS Eatwell Plate. Good as far as it goes but as far as I can see it hasn’t been updated since my husband had a cardiac event 22 years ago. It says (amongst other things) choose low fat options. That’s all very well, but if you are buying manufactured food which is advertised as low fat, or indeed low sugar, be aware that the manufacturer has added things to make the food palatable. And the things they add can often be those which the human race would not normally encounter. So how is the human body to safely digest these?
It’s best if you can to use fresh (or frozen) food not things that come in packets.
It's time to accept change in your lifestyle and embrace it. For perspective, I'm 72 yo and have been physically fit all my life having run 2 marathons and participated in various sports. At 70, it was discovered that I had a bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) with stenosis. BAV is a birth defect and 1-2% of the population has it. The surgeon said that if I did not undergo open heart surgery to replace the valve, I could expect to live 2 years. I had the surgery and subsequently also had a pacemaker fitted due to a complication from the surgery.
I still go to the gym and do 1.5 hour workouts 3 x per week plus long walks. The worst part for me was not being able to work out while recovering from my procedures.
Adopt a heart healthy diet and minimize alcohol, sodium, and sugar. You will feel better and your heart will repay you.
We are all soldiers in the battle to stay alive...a fight to the death. Good luck and may you live long.
hi Ben - well, you’re only human and lots of young and old don’t heed advice. Some will never register it, some of us do a bit of to & fro-ing & other hit the bullseye first throw of the dart.
Hard to say don’t worry 24/7 because you probably still will. I’m a to & fro kind but what you need to think and do is - live you best life as they say, all the time & energy worrying - what will be will be - however don’t think well that’s it I’ve had it!!!!
Put the energy into plans, what you’re going to do for the good and what you want to get out of it all - better health, happiness & longevity?
Do you want to get to the finishing king and say I did my best or arrive early thinking “I wish I’d …..” your Drs are doing the easy bit, the check ups and the Statins & Asprin are very positive in protection from stroke etc. You certainly don’t want to have one then have to deal will the consequences
We are born with our genetic issues & can’t change them, make the most of the good bits - be strong 💪 and you’ll get 💪er
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