Anxiety about partner likely having CAD.

[Clancy15]

Hi all,

I am writing as so anxious about my partner and wondering if anyone else has gone through similar/has any advice. He is only 47 and is slim, fit and active. He does have some family history of HD as his father died suddenly of a HA at the age of 62.

he had a routine ECG done at a walk in clinic in December after feeling unwell with stomach pains, they weren’t happy with the ECG and sent him to A&E where he was discharged after two further ECG’s and the A&E junior doctor telling him that “he was not worried about his heart” he then had another ECG done recently and the GP said it was abnormal with ST segment depression and said it looked likely to be coronary artery disease and he has been referred to a cardiologist. I am so worried he does have something wrong with his heart as he is so young and worry about his life expectancy as we have young children. The appointment is coming up and I feel sick with anxiety about what the future holds.

I should add that he does have high blood pressure and is on medication for this which has bought it down to normal levels and has had high cholesterol too.

[Lowerfield_no_more]

Your partner has joined the club that nobody want to be a member of! However it is not all doom and gloom. First his conditions are being investigated and that will ultimately lead to some form of appropriate treatment. Better that than have a serious completely unexpected heart related event that causes a major disruption to his life, or worse, which happens to many .And the fact that he is young and generally fit will stand him in good stead. Nonetheless there is much he can do to help himself by taking a view of his lifestyle, and carrying out the recommendations laid out in the BHF webpages, including diet, exercise, alcohol, body weight management and smoking. And there are people with heart related disease who live to be a grand old age including an aunt of mine who apart from several other conditions, had three heart attacks and lived to 95 and led a full and fulfilling life. So embrace the situation you both find yourself in, take each day as it comes, and enjoy life and your family.

[TasteLessFood4Life]

Hi,

Fingers crossed / maybe it is nothing to do with his heart. I am the same age as your hubby, like him slim/fit and eat mostly healthy diet. However, bad genes and family history of heart issues have caused CVD in my case too. I cant tell you how shocked I was when I got the news from the cardiologist. But at the end of the day, you have to deal with upsets in life and sadly, the ride is not always up. I suffered from massive anxiety initially, but luckily, I am past that. Touch wood, it will stay that way. As far as, the CVD is concerned - I do know now that I have it, but I wont let it dictate my life and mind. All I can do from my side is to take the medicine, lead a healthy life and the rest is up in the air. We wont be here forever - that is a fact.

Wish you and your hubby good health.

[Smitty1956]

Hi, Clancy15,

The good news seems to be that your partner is being checked/tested/evaluated early in this “possible” diagnosis of CAD. That is good news because it suggests that a bad outcome may be avoided down the road because of early intervention now. That’s a definite win!

I learned that I had CAD following my HA in 2022. I was scared to death really! The HA seemed to come out of the blue to me, and I didn’t realize that I had blocked arteries until that event.

Your partner is being evaluated and cared for now—early days. Proper medications can be prescribed; any lifestyle changes (diet, exercise, quitting smoking, etc.) can be begun and/or tweaked; any medical procedures needing to be done can be completed early. All of this now can mean that your partner will continue to be there for your children and you for years and years to come!

It can be hugely difficult as you are going through this to see all of the positives. But there are positives in being aware of your heart health and the need to do the things (such as taking medications, exercising weekly, eating a healthy diet, etc.). That can keep you going strong for years.

I hope that all goes well, and I am sending you both positive thoughts and prayers! ❤️

[Nelson71]

I had a HA at 44. I had a blocked artery so it was stented. Obviously I looked after myself, ate fairly well without being obsessive, exercised regularly and didn’t drink too much or smoke. I had no problem for 20 years when I had a NSTEMI, on investigation they found I had a 90% blockage and two arteries blocked at 60% so it was recommended and I had a triple heart bypass. Everything went well and I’m basically cleared for the next 20-30 years which should see me out at 84+. I’m loving life, exercising harder than ever, mostly off the booze now and feel fantastic at 64. These episodes although scary at the time are basically a warning shot to look after yourself. IF there is a problem then you know and can take precautions like diet exercise correct medication and there’s no need for it to impinge on the quality or length of life. At least you know and can take steps to reduce your risk factors unlike a lot of people who go through life not knowing and eating takeaways, putting salt on everything drinking too much and sitting on the sofa all night watching TV. It’s easy to say but don’t worry you’ve got this