Hi Everyone. So I’m 56m. Just found out I have 3 moderate blockages. CAC score 944. Thought I was pretty healthy because I’ve been walking 10km a day for many years so this has come as a shock. Terrible family history which I’ve ignored for years along with very high cholesterol. Also was a smoker until a few years ago.
Anyway I had a heart catheterisation last week my doctors have put me on high statins and told me to have a stress test in 6 months. I feel like a ticking time bomb and that my future is now very uncertain, I guess it takes time to process
Anyway thought I’d introduce myself and send my best wishes and prayers to all of you out there. Please feel free to connect. I’m a good listener too !
Regards from London UK
Mark
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Don't consider yourself a ticking time bomb but consider yourself lucky.
High cholesterol, recent smoker, family history , it's good you got preventative treatment prior to something serious happening.
If I were in your position I would understand why my cholesterol levels are high ( diet? , weight, excercise) and what can be done to fix it , above and beyond the help of medicines.
Take this a warning shot, carry on living, but make positive lifestyle changes and enjoy a good healthy life.
Thank You sooo much for your reply. I had to have a look at your bio, you are amazing, so positive, so strong. 7 months on, incredible. I’m so happy to hear you’re doing so well and with your mindset, you’re a world beater and an inspiration. Thanks, seriously. Your reply was so kind and has lifted me. God bless you 🙏
we all end up in places we didn't expect but I've learned , it's an up and down journey , life is up and down, so better to make small positive steps, accept the falls but get up and keep going.Always keep going further and forwards because life is a one time opportunity.
Wise words and so true. Keep doing what you’re doing. Don’t change anything. You’re an inspiration . Carpe Diem my friend. Thanks again for the welcome
Very well put Baly but it is such a shock and takes time to comes to terms with. Perhaps upset and other feelings are likely before it is possible to dust oneself down and get on with the new life one has.
You’re absolutely right cotonh. I am in shock but the range of emotions are changing all the time. It started with anxiety, that has quietened down a little. Then it was hopelessness for a few days. Fear, depression. Finally I’m starting to accept the situation. I had my cath 9 days ago. I have a little more hope tonight knowing that people care and understand. Yes I’m depressed about it all but at least I’m functioning. I didn’t get out of bed for 3 days ! Takes time to process. I have health anxiety. Used to worry about a cut getting infected. So this has been quite a journey. But I will keep looking for answers. I believe there is a way to improve things even if the cardiologists say it can’t be done. I’m reading a book from Amazon “heal yourself” - people that have turned things around that apparently were “impossible” - I think this is my way forward. I hope and pray you aredoing well on your journey cotonh. Thanks for making me welcome here
Ps. I think genetics same as you and stress I think Too. Trading the markets, playing pro poker for many years. Was always on the edge . And yes, looking for ways to fix or improve things over and above the meds. Seems they were very close to stenting my LAD and with a FFR of .80, not a huge margin of error moving forward. Doctors say there is no way to reverse, only to keep things as they are but I’m a great believer in never say never. Ornish and esselsyn for starters. Maybe I have to live like a rabbit for the rest of my life. Whatever ..Calcium score will go up with the statins so need to look at everything. Take care my friend
You take care too and hopefully someone with a more like for like experience to yours will chime in and be more useful.
Me? I went from feeling great one day to a full on LAD STEMI the next. Crazy!
But ( without sounding like some preacher or life coach) we are here, we have the luxury of medical care, the luxury of getting treatment, the luxury of discussing these and how we feel on an online forum. The luxury of support.
There are far worse things going on in the world, far more worse things that happen so as a wise bloke I know said to me , " you had a medical car accident, you got out, you survived, it's time to move forwards as you would if you had a regular car accident because if you had one of those would you stop driving?"
I’ll tell you what your experience does for me. It gives me hope. You managed to survive and through your positivity and strength of mind, you are thriving after the worst case scenario and with 2 moderate LAD blockages and a 700 CAC score, I realise that I am at high risk and that could happen to me, even with treatment. I keep reading that it can’t improve, it can only stabilise so I realise that I need to keep things as they are for 10,20 years, then who knows. But your experience and you as a person and those wise words inspire me. Thank you ! And yes we are lucky that we have a chance of proper lifesaving treatment living here in The UK. So many don’t have that chance. The world is a mess with too much suffering.
Anyway I’m following you and will continue to read some of your posts. Your attitude and how you have dealt with your own issues will give a lot of people hope and that’s pricelsss 🙏
Very similar to yourself. Once I'd come to terms with my planned treatment (CABG), meds and new reformed diet, including much stricter on alcohol became the norm to improve lipids results. If it's Angina that you are diagnosed with, you'll learn what you can do, e.g. I was able to carry on mowing or going for reasonable length walks whilst waiting for my op - I just took my time over it. I went through the ticking time bomb thought process, which is only natural. It's good that you are in the pipeline, take care.
Thanks for yor understanding snowflake. So did you go through the CABG or are you still waiting. How are things with you ? You sound very positive and very brave 🙏
Had CABG about 10 days ago. All went very well and now recovering at home, hence loads of time to read these chats at the moment. I considered the CABG option far far better than doing nothing. Very daunting, but very positive for a better future - got to be positive 🙂
Hi Mark, so many of us can empathise with the mental situation de of cardiac issues. I had Nstemi heart attack and quadruple open heart bypass July 2023 aged 61, fit and strong 🤦🏼. I’ve posted regularly about my journey and rehab , monthly photo collages to show progress and living lif to the full . The rehab isn’t always linear , the mental side takes longer to heal than the physical stuff. I think about it so much. I’m sure I had/have a touch of ptsd. You might find some of my previous posts and take whatever you need if from them if it’s of any help to you. Great community here , loads of support and sharing experiences. Wishing you well with your journey . I’m loving my rebirth 👊🏻👊🏻👊🏻
Hi,yes I expect it's a shock,and it's worrying as your heart keeps you alive, but the technology the drs have in amazing these days,I had AF last year- was told by A&E Dr it was permanent,but after being referred and echogram and bubble test I have a large hole in my heart probably from birth! Didn't have a clue- have been sporty in younger days,swam,walked etc and have mild coronary heart disease and angina but medication has helped even tho have never had any medication until a year ago,getting used to having chemist in my kitchen 😆
You're regarded as having asymptomatic coronary artery disease at this time and your goal is to avoid progression to more advanced disease,symptoms and heart attack. I assume angioplasty or stent placements weren't needed. Were you advised to take daily low dose aspirin? Beta blockers can be protective especially if you require treatment for hypertension. Discontinuation of smoking was a key lifestyle change and I'm sure you've been advised to eat a healthy diet,avoid too strenuous exertion,maintain a healthy weight and minimize stress. Review these points with your cardiologist. I'm confident you can maintain a physically active life and will do well as you were diagnosed at a relatively early stage of coronary artery disease before any damage.
Hi Mark, I too thought I was quite healthy always ate quite well, yes I had the odd treat was on a statin one of the lowest 10mg, unfortunately I suffered a big old HA in the middle of the night woke up with what I thought was indigestion hubby took one look at me and didn’t like my face colour, i actually phoned 111 all the while chuntering on that I was fine just a bit of indigestion
Within 10 minutes there was an ambulance and paramedics at the door, long story short I was having a Stemi, I was blue lighted to resuss at the local hospital who tried to fit stents but couldn’t so an emergency bypass was carried out, all this happened so quickly and I struggled to process being as fit as a fiddle one day and the vulnerability I felt during and after, I’m not ashamed to say I had to seek help from a phycologist, the cardiology nurses & staff were brilliant and for a full year after they kept in touch, I too felt like a ticking timebomb and you know I sometimes still do!
I am now on a few different meds a day including 80mg of statin each night
It’s took a while but I’m getting there, let the cardiologist help you and make sure you write down & ask any questions you may have
I’m over 2 years down the line, had a few blips along the way but always highlight them, they think I may have angina but any discomfort I get is at rest I don’t get a lot while walking or exercising, this is being looked into now.
Welcome to the unfortunate club that no-one wants to join.
My profile a bit similar, altough I have moderate stenosis in mid LAD mainly. Like you, put on Atorvastatin 40mg and Aspirin 75mg. Terrible family history of Cardiovascular disease and high colesterol.
Was diagnosed last year in Oct, but have turned my life around since then. Used to be a big snacker, but otherwise healthy and relatively fit. Now, minimal to no processed food anymore and only mainly white meat.
Have lost nearly 2 stone and cholesterol has dropped like a brick mainly from the medicine and healthy lifestyle.
Lastly, I realise it is hard and a slap in the face, but try to see it in another way. You are fortunate that you have discovered that you have an issue and luckily, you have started treatment. Many dont have that luxury and only find out the hard way after an event.
Anyway, best of luck with your journey. You will have ups and downs, but there is always light at the end of the tunnel.
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