How long can you live with heart disease before you die?

[oonsie]

[mihago46]

I was 44 when I was diagnosed with a cholesterol level of 13 mmol/l. The GP had never seen such a high level. After tests I had a triple coronary artery bypass graft (CABG). I am now 65 and recovering from the after effects of chemotherapy. I have just come back from a 500 metre swim and am regaining my strength. I have apart from the last year been lucky enough to enjoy 20 very good years taking statins. There is still a reasonable chance of my carrying on longer.

[oonsie]

Thank you, I thought heart disease was ' the end' because nobody speaks about it,it seems to be a taboo subject so I never tell anyone I have it!!

[Stent in reply to oonsie]

How are you today? This is been six years since you posted that how do you feel are you more tired do you notice any changes? I really would like to know

[oonsie]

I don't know!! no-ones told me! I had a heart attack 7 yrs ago and have a dodgy valve and leaking arteries, I've also had 2 strokes i also suffer angina,where could I find out what kind of hd I have?

[Aliwally]

Would your GP be a good place to start? My mother in law has a damaged aortic valve and I am constantly amazed at how little information she is given. I know she is 84 but she is completely on the ball.

I have a nursing background so I can look things up and explain to the family but good communication skills seem to be lacking sometimes in health professionals.

[oonsie]

yes I'll go to the doc and ask I totally agree with you that there is no communication sometimes between patient and doctors,the information i get i could write on the back of a stamp

[smithy]

Hi there,

i was really unsure what type of heart disease i had until i had the MI while they were stenting me.

after this i made sure i got the hospital to send me every piece of paper ever written about me regarding the heart disease, including all blood test results, and copies of all angiograms.....It cost me £50 which is the most they can charge no matter how much is supplied.

I spent a day sorting out all the papers, and then another going through them and cross referencing stuff online. Especially all the abbreviations they insist on using.

needless to say, i educated myself to the Nth degree, and when i visit my cardiologist now he knows that I have enough knowledge about my condition, that wediscus it as equals.

Knowledge is power.

Tony

[Aliwally]

Hi Smithy,

I think that's a bit of a cheek charging you £50. I'm sure we all have a right to see our medical records, although I know our GPs surgery says they will charge for photocopying.

The lipid clinic always sends me test results with a brief summary, although to be honest I could write the summary better myself.

I always ask my GP for a paper copy of test results for my own records as I don't trust anybody else and it saves time when you go to see the next anonymous face, my GP is happy to do this. Sorry if this sounds a bit cynical. It does help that I am an ex nurse so at least I understand the terminology.

[smithy in reply to Aliwally]

I think the charge was made because I asked for it after i'd been discharged. It was set at 10p a sheet to a naximum of £50.00. needless to say i went to the max. the cost also included DVD's of all my angiograms and Xrays, so i thought it was reasonable. I'm now at a different hospital, and they provide any 'inter physician' paperwork free of charge.

As far as GP stuff is concerned, they're quite happy to provide all test results etc at no cost.

I'm not a nurse, but the internet is a great source of information, especially sorting out the TLA's (Three letter abbreviations) all doctors seem keen to use (LOL). It's that good I've even watched a CABG, which is the probable next step to treating my CAD.

TTFN

Tony