Take care of yourself

[Ken Juul]

A couple folks on the forum know, but I think it is important enough to tell all.  I retired about 18 months ago and at 61 seemed to be in great health.  No shortness of breath with exercise or pain/pressure in the chest.  Blood pressure was a bit high, diet change and more excercise fixed that.  Cholesterol has always been near the high end, but my Dr wasn't worried.   Have a history of heart disease in the family.  We are actively planning to live on the boat in the Fla Keys for the winter away for quick health care, so I decided to pay out of my pocket ($200) for a CT scan of my heart.   It showed enough calcium build up that I was referred to a Cardiologist.  The echo cardiogram showed a possible slight blockage, the stress test on the treadmill didn't show anything abnormal.  The Cardiologist decided to put me in the hospital and shoot some dye in the arteries to just make sure all was good because the other tests were not conclusive.  He gave me a 50/50 chance of finding anything, expected the procedure to take about an hour.  3.5 hours later they had put stents in two of the 3 major heart arteries.  The widow maker was 90% blocked, the one on the back side was 70%.  I was a walking major heart attack time bomb.

If you have a family history or any other indications.  Even if insurance won't pay for it, get the CT scan.....it and an understanding Dr saved my life.

[RobertSchuldenfrei]

If you have a family history or any other indications.  Even if insurance won't pay for it, get the CT scan.....it and an understanding Dr saved my life.

All I can say Ken is "Amen."  I am 70 years old, and I had some symptoms last year that caused me to get scanned.  It was nothing, but I fully endorse getting regular checkups.  AND live life as if you were going to die the day after tomorrow; and continue to learn as if you are going to live forever.

Cheers,

Bob

[Paulus]

Hi Ken, take care of yourself.  Glad to hear that your are ok. 
Paulus

[Albreen]

Ken - congratulations on your return to better health. The tone of your post tells me how much you feel blessed to have avoided a major event. Most people experience the "silent", asymtomatic heart attack without even knowing it occurred, or if with minor symptoms, often passing it off as heartburn, or flu or something other. You should be congratulated on two fronts, 1 - for sharing this with us and 2- for being the self advocate you were in seeking the diagnostic CT Scan.  As a former specialist in a teaching hospital's cardiac catherization lab, I can't tell you how different the outcomes were for so many others. This is a wonderful story to tell. 

[scotty]

Good for you, Ken.  Had a similar experience when I was 49.  Ended up with a triple bypass.  Even good health habits can sometimes not be enough - a good cardio check-up has me doing fine 15 years later.  Still surfing, sailing and most importantly, I'm still here for my family.  Good health to you (all of you)!

[lazybone]

I hate thinking about this stuff.

[patrice]

I hate thinking about this stuff.

;-) I hear you, I kept postponing to take apointment for my checkup with my doc, until one day my spouse told me that she took my apointment and I no choice anymore  

Glag Ken that you are doing good now.

[Ron Hill]

Guys : Get that annual check -up !!!  You change the oil every 100 hours and the Racor annually, but you forget yourself!!

From my 30+ years in the military I found it isn't the bullets or the shrapnel that will get you, it's the wearing out of body parts - as you get older!!

My thought

[r_bond]

Great story...very similar to my own:  55 years old, picture of health, no signs of trouble.  Routine physical suggested may be some concern.  Turned out Widow Maker looming!  Ended up with a single bypass.  Go get yourself checked, guys!  If initial tests (EKG, Sonogram, Nuclear Stress test) are inconclusive don't hesitate to do the Angiogram.  Simple, quick procedure that is about as complicated or uncomfortable as having a tooth filled.  WAY BETTER than the alternative!!

[lazybone]

Che sara Sara.