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Over spring break I had some sort of episode with my heart that might have been a mild heart attack. I was too dumb to goto the hospital and my ekg today and blood pressure were good. Now I have to take a stress test on monday. I am feeling better but I had 5 pretty miserable days.

So what am I in for? I am only 41 and no history of heart disease in my family. But my doctor called me an idiot today for not going to the hospital. I have been living in pain for 20 years, pain is not big deal to me I guess.

If you get the nuclear test they will put some radioactive junk in you, then onto a treadmill, they monitor your vitals while the speed and incline gradually increase. Mine was about five years ago when I was a young perky 62, I lasted 8 minutes. They told me they most anyone did was about 13 minutes, that guy was a triathlon freak.

Then if you had the nuclear they can take a picture of your blood vessels and get a good idea about blockages etc.

Mine was fine. I was worried, my dad had open heart at at 56 and again at 72.

Good luck.

Thanks

(04-15-2014 07:24 PM)Kimbosucks Wrote:  Over spring break I had some sort of episode with my heart that might have been a mild heart attack. I was too dumb to goto the hospital and my ekg today and blood pressure were good. Now I have to take a stress test on monday. I am feeling better but I had 5 pretty miserable days.

So what am I in for? I am only 41 and no history of heart disease in my family. But my doctor called me an idiot today for not going to the hospital. I have been living in pain for 20 years, pain is not big deal to me I guess.

I had the same as Dirt but they immediately followed up with an MRI to take more detailed images. From start to finish took 30-45 minutes. Excluding sitting around in that lovely and well fitting gown they provide. Wait, that was my protologist. Never mind on the gown thing.

I have an irregular heart beat. Not A Fib (the original diagnosis) but the half of the heart. Less problematic, so I am told.

41? Heck your a kid. But dont mess with your heart, prostate or morphing moles. Best to stay on top of those. You have peeps counting on you.

(04-15-2014 07:24 PM)Kimbosucks Wrote:  Over spring break I had some sort of episode with my heart that might have been a mild heart attack. I was too dumb to goto the hospital and my ekg today and blood pressure were good. Now I have to take a stress test on monday. I am feeling better but I had 5 pretty miserable days.

So what am I in for? I am only 41 and no history of heart disease in my family. But my doctor called me an idiot today for not going to the hospital. I have been living in pain for 20 years, pain is not big deal to me I guess.

There are several different kinds of stress tests. The most comprehensive is probably the nuclear stress test where they shoot chemicals in your veins and also look at an EKG monitor. The least comprehensive is where they put you on the treadmill and only use the EKG monitor monitor. Do you know what kind you're having?

Good luck with that, I know we'll all be thinking of you and wishing you well.

(04-15-2014 09:54 PM)gobaseline Wrote:  

(04-15-2014 07:24 PM)Kimbosucks Wrote:  Over spring break I had some sort of episode with my heart that might have been a mild heart attack. I was too dumb to goto the hospital and my ekg today and blood pressure were good. Now I have to take a stress test on monday. I am feeling better but I had 5 pretty miserable days.

So what am I in for? I am only 41 and no history of heart disease in my family. But my doctor called me an idiot today for not going to the hospital. I have been living in pain for 20 years, pain is not big deal to me I guess.

I had the same as Dirt but they immediately followed up with an MRI to take more detailed images. From start to finish took 30-45 minutes. Excluding sitting around in that lovely and well fitting gown they provide. Wait, that was my protologist. Never mind on the gown thing.

I have an irregular heart beat. Not A Fib (the original diagnosis) but the half of the heart. Less problematic, so I am told.

41? Heck your a kid. But dont mess with your heart, prostate or morphing moles. Best to stay on top of those. You have peeps counting on you.

I had the same thing about five years ago. Did real well and they said my heart in great shape. Painless process. Felt good after getting the results.

Good luck kimbo.

The stress you feel over taking the stress test is worse than they actual test itself. Ernie detailed it very well.

On a side note, trust your instincts in the future. I waited three hours before telling my wife something was feeling weird in my arm and shoulder. I probably would have stayed home had she not made me go. Turned out to be 90% blockage in the "widow maker." If I hadnt listened to her and gone to the ER, I'd have been dead.

On a morbid note. This stuff opens your eyes to your mortality. When my daughter was born I took out a 250k 10 year term life policy, in hindsight I should have taken out 20 years, just figured I'd renew it after the first ten years. Once there is documented evidence on file that you have coronary issues nobody will sell you life insurance. At your age and with a record of good health you could get a half million in 20 year term coverage pretty cheap. If you already have life insurance great, if not, try and get a policy before you get the results on your stress test.

Borgess and Bronson are both good cardiac hospitals. But if this turns out to be something that needs regular monitoring, you might want to look into the Cleveland Clinic or UM for your yearly check ups. You have great insurance, take advantage of it.

(04-16-2014 10:28 AM)Chipdip2 Wrote:  On a morbid note. This stuff opens your eyes to your mortality. When my daughter was born I took out a 250k 10 year term life policy, in hindsight I should have taken out 20 years, just figured I'd renew it after the first ten years. Once there is documented evidence on file that you have coronary issues nobody will sell you life insurance. At your age and with a record of good health you could get a half million in 20 year term coverage pretty cheap. If you already have life insurance great, if not, try and get a policy before you get the results on your stress test.

This is good advice from CD. Even if you don't develop any medical issues, the insurance companies really jack the rates when you renew after 10 years. I had a 10 year $350K policy. When it came time to renew 10 years later they more than quadrupled the rate on me, and I had had no medical issues. Ended up not renewing.

Best of luck to you Kimbo. Let us know how it goes for you.

I was told today I would be there for 5 hours so they might be doing some other tests also. I have been really tired this week getting back to work. Way more tired than usual.

I have two policies. One is 150 grand from when I bought my house to cover cost if I died. Also have a 500 grand on me and my wife. She gets a better rate than I do. Her brother is a VERY successful financial planner and has given good advice.

Thanks for all the advice. I want to k nnnnd ow either way so I am good with doing the tests.

Good luck, Kimbo. If you don't mind, let us know how things work out.

(04-16-2014 04:04 PM)Kimbosucks Wrote:  I was told today I would be there for 5 hours so they might be doing some other tests also. I have been really tired this week getting back to work. Way more tired than usual.

Since your still with us I'm guessing (hoping) that at worst you have some blockage. If so they would probably do a stent to open up the blocked artery. It's pretty non-invasive. They fish it up through an artery in your thigh. My father in law actually had a valve replacement done this way. Beats having your chest cracked open. You can actually watch it on a screen as they do it .

My wife gave you the stubborn men lecture, but she's right. Got to throw out the pride and do what's best for your family, even if it's a false alarm. Cardio guy told me many times that being in denial can cost you your life. Error on the side of cation.

The Cardiac Trail

Peace of mind, makes it all worth it.

If you have to "make corrections" in your daily behaviors, in order to overcome your "wayward youth",
it's a good idea to start working on it immediately. Time to change your "evil ways".
One's family history, ie. your Genes, has already programed
all of us, and is also in the mix.
Actually, the Cardiac Trail can, and should be a learning and life preserving experience.

BTW, I have some experience, in having had several heart attacks, stents implanted, and most recently, CABG x 4.

Best of Luck !

My dad died of a heart attack at 41. My brother had a quadrupal bypass at 43, His doc came to me after the operation and said, you better get yourself looked at, this is in your genes. I was in good shape at the time, 37 and still felt invincible. So, didn't listen to him. But he was right. Take a look at your gene pool.

Kimbo -

Start walking at least three times a week.

On your Planning Period, after school, Saturday or Sunday.

Around the gym if weather is bad, on the track, in your neighborhood.

Start with 20 minutes.

Build up to doing a Mile under 18 minutes by August. If you can sooner go for Mile and a half or walk longer (30 minutes).

Meantime - cut out the "Boat Drinks." And pop.

Watch your diet - fresh fruits, carrot chunks, soups (watch sodium intake though), salads, Special K, water, and the like. Only one plate of whatever for dinner (no seconds).

Carbs taste great but pack on the pounds (especially as we get older) which place more stress on heart.

Limit the treats - your old coach (Al) told me his weakness that kept him portly was ice cream.

You're a dad now, gotta do it for others besides yourself.

It is probably not a coincidence that two weeks before this happened I started riding a stationary bike 20 min. A day every day with the goal of being able to run again. I had been eating better and hoping the exercise would help my back and my weight. I feel good right now other than really bad fatigue. I know I was an idiot for not going to the hospital last Thursday.

I was a virtual check list
chest pain check
pain moving into my left shoulder check
nausea check
vomiting check
diarrhea check
dizziness check

I am a meat head that has been living in pain for 20 or more years. Guess it is time to give in when my body is trying to tell me something.

My father is 83 and has had a minor heart attack but most of the males in my family have drank themselves to death. My brother did at age 40 and he is not unusual. I am lucky that I really cant drink much anymore. I might have a drink a month the last 4 years. Usually get drunk twice a year at Buffett and I have to pound the first 6 to get going. The meds for my back have made alcohol hard to drink which is a good thing.

At least you didn't defecate. Of course, if you had, you wouldn't be posting here now.

But sounds like you were close.

41 is long way from 21.

Also - go to bed by 10 pm and get at least eight hours. Rising with the chickens a lot better than running with the wolves (including Conan and the Jimmies) if you want to see your kids grow up, graduate, get married, give you Grandchildren etc.

Turn the radio onto Tigers or ESPN until you nod off.

I am really good during the week about getting the most rest I can. Lights go off at 10 and asleep before 11. I do get up pretty early during the week. I get more sleep on the weekends.

My doctor told me dying while having sex is overrated because you don't get to finish. Better that it is an hour after sex so you at least got to finish.

To show how bad it was it was the only night I turned down sex... I have a good doctor and he said he is going to make sure I get to stick around a while. I think I am one of his only patients he can joke with and let his guard down. Plus he hires hot nurses and they like me coming in once a month. They were all over it when they heard what happened. Everyone of them came in to see me and lecture me. Not quite as good as my dentist where I frequently get flashed by the staff.