Life after stents?

[Amos Keeto]

My heart attack was 10 years ago. Could not treat with stents. Tried 3 times to open it. Treating with medication. I'm 67 just got back to camp from a 6 mile hike chasing elk in Northern Idaho. Have never missed an elk hunt since the heart attack.

Ya never know what you can do 'til you try.
Trick is, knowing when to back off!

My feet and legs give out, I just sit down and rest.
Occasionally, I'll get involved in what I'm doing and forget to rest. Then, a 20-30 minute rest becomes a couple of hours!

1) Figure out your limitations.
2) Learn to operate within those limitations.
3) Always try to expand your limitations.
4) Know when to quit pushing.

 

[TandKHunting]

My wife was a cardiac nurse, ICU nurse, and Interventional Radiology nurse (strokes). Sometimes, there is literally no amount of exercise, healthy diet, etc. that can prevent genetics from doing what genetics do.

She would see 30 year old healthy individuals with massive strokes, heart attacks, etc. Working as a police officer, I would see individuals with end stage cirrhosis at 35, while heavy drinkers living on the streets were still kicking at 70 years old with minimul health issues.

I get blood work done every year. I have high cholesterol (which runs in my family). I have yet to go on medication, as it's only marginally high, yet it's important for everyone...I mean EVERYONE...to do yearly physicals with blood work when you hit 30 years of age. Genetics do not care about how many salads you eat or miles you hike. That's what I have learned after hearing all the stories my wife has.

 

[Watrdawg]

I was 50 when I had 2 stents put in. There were 3 blockages. 2 of them were close enough together that a large stent took care of both of them. I’ve always been in the gym and in great shape. No history of high cholesterol, high blood pressure or heart disease in the family. The day I had my stents put in I asked my Doctor when I could get back to the gym. He said give it 10 days and as long as your feeling fine go for it. I’m 60 now and no issues since. I am on a full aspirin and very low dosages of a BP medication. One thing I can say is that don’t let this get in your head! Don’t wrap yourself in bubble wrap! Take charge of your health and live it. I’m in better shape now than ever. My workout schedule is 4 nights of CrossFit, 3 days of a regular strength workout and 3-4 days a week I’m also riding a bike 8-10 miles at lunch. Live life to the fullest and then some!

 

[DooleyVT]

I was 50 when I had 2 stents put in. There were 3 blockages. 2 of them were close enough together that a large stent took care of both of them. I’ve always been in the gym and in great shape. No history of high cholesterol, high blood pressure or heart disease in the family. The day I had my stents put in I asked my Doctor when I could get back to the gym. He said give it 10 days and as long as your feeling fine go for it. I’m 60 now and no issues since. I am on a full aspirin and very low dosages of a BP medication. One thing I can say is that don’t let this get in your head! Don’t wrap yourself in bubble wrap! Take charge of your health and live it. I’m in better shape now than ever. My workout schedule is 4 nights of CrossFit, 3 days of a regular strength workout and 3-4 days a week I’m also riding a bike 8-10 miles at lunch. Live life to the fullest and then some!

The 10 day mark is basically what my cardiologist said too but I have been skeptical of how hard I could go after that. That’s really great to hear! I’ve been way more worried about having to be bubble wrapped than getting back to the gym and pushing myself some. Super motivating! thanks!

 

[Marbles]

On diet, despite the many things you hear, the only proven diet to reduce risk is the Mediterranean diet. The simple version:
1. Eat vegetables instead of grains.
2. Use olive oil in place of butter and animal fats.
3. Replace read meat with fish.

Cholesterol is bad, there is no such thing as too low (well documented data support that). An LDL of less than 55 is a good place to be. Most people cannot get their with lifestyle alone, also, that number is for someone who has proven their body makes blockages (anyone who has not undergone a revascularization doesn't need to get that low).

If you have hypertension, treat it. Target a resting systolic that averages less than 130.

Avoid nicotine, marijuana, and alcohol.

Exercise, the more the better so long as proper training principles are followed.

Some things are driven by genetics and luck. Don't blame yourself, just manage the risk factors you can as best you can.

On bleeding, hold pressure for a solid 5 minutes (up to 10), look at a watch and no peaking to see if it has stopped until you cross that line. The same works for bruising. Antiplatelets don't effect the clotting cascade, only platelet aggregation, so for massive arterial bleeding quick clot will still work for you.

 

[Wolfshead]

I had a calcium test done in February and they didn’t schedule me an appointment until just a few weeks ago, I’m 64 in a week.
I just thought no news was good news.
Wrong, my score was like 2560, in the 90th percentile of where you don’t want to be.
I go in the first week of October for a stress test, so we’ll see what happens then.
I’ve been preparing for this hunting season for so long and I’m worried that it won’t happen.
Among other things
We just have our grandchildren in the last few years, and don’t want to miss out on anything with them. Also, like others have said it really effects your confidence, and my thinking, that I’m the one who should be taking care, and protecting my family, and now I’m the burden….
Hard pill to swallow

 

[goosedog]

I had a calcium test done in February and they didn’t schedule me an appointment until just a few weeks ago, I’m 64 in a week.
I just thought no news was good news.
Wrong, my score was like 2560, in the 90th percentile of where you don’t want to be.
I go in the first week of October for a stress test, so we’ll see what happens then.
I’ve been preparing for this hunting season for so long and I’m worried that it won’t happen.
Among other things
We just have our grandchildren in the last few years, and don’t want to miss out on anything with them. Also, like others have said it really effects your confidence, and my thinking, that I’m the one who should be taking care, and protecting my family, and now I’m the burden….
Hard pill to swallow

I was in the same boat and can also relate to feeling like a burden good news is I have had a angioplasty twice and need one more it's a very simple procedure my doctor went thru my wrist I take the day of procedure off and next day take and I'm good to go take it easy on wrist for a few days are they doing a nuclear stress test on you? That's what I had it shows the blockages and what bloodflow if any is getting thru another easy procedure just pictures and then a treadmill session to get heart rate up,I had 3 months of very little sleep after I found out but between my dad who has been thru this and my doctor and nurses I'm confident I will be better than I was a year ago and that helps calm the mind I'm am actually looking forward to getting the next procedure done they limit the procedure to 3 hours due to the dye they use messing with kidneys I checked in at 12:30 procedure time was 2:30 on my way home at 7:30 if they go thru groin you have a couple more hours

 

[Wolfshead]

I was in the same boat and can also relate to feeling like a burden good news is I have had a angioplasty twice and need one more it's a very simple procedure my doctor went thru my wrist I take the day of procedure off and next day take and I'm good to go take it easy on wrist for a few days are they doing a nuclear stress test on you? That's what I had it shows the blockages and what bloodflow if any is getting thru another easy procedure just pictures and then a treadmill session to get heart rate up,I had 3 months of very little sleep after I found out but between my dad who has been thru this and my doctor and nurses I'm confident I will be better than I was a year ago and that helps calm the mind I'm am actually looking forward to getting the next procedure done they limit the procedure to 3 hours due to the dye they use messing with kidneys I checked in at 12:30 procedure time was 2:30 on my way home at 7:30 if they go thru groin you have a couple more hours

Thank you! That gives me some insight into what to expect.
Yes I’m getting the nuclear stress test.
Mine starts early around nine am so hopefully I will be home by early afternoon.
Thanks again

 

[yfarm]

Installed a new fast CT scanner when I was in my early 50s, served as a normal volunteer bringing the scanner online, had a coronary CT angio, clean vessels after a lifetime of eating whatever I wanted, presumably good genetics. All other tests are indirect indicators of likelihood of disease and have false negatives and positives. Want to know for sure, coronary CTA or cath. Have a neighbor, retired Northwest Airlines pilot, had an MI while flying a 747 from Minneapolis to Tokyo in the middle of the flight, finished the flight and went to the hospital, cathed, thrombolysed and stented. Did fine. FAA required annual testing to keep his license, what did they require? Annual cardiac cath.

 

[Boarmaster]

I hear you on the mental side of things. When I got out of the hospital for the first time in my life
I felt like I couldn't take care of myself or handle any situation that came my way. I had crazy thoughts like what happens if I get mugged. I never was a tough guy type but I never felt threatened by other people. As I got recuperated that went away. It will for you as well so long as you don't surrender to it.
I’m now living to live and enjoy life not living to work. And since .i have a new attitude about things like work I no longer feel like I want to retire. I enjoy work because I put it in its proper place. I dont tale for granted my time hunting and fishing and appreciate it. While not a good thing my health issue certainly transformed me into a happier person.

 

[DangerRanger]

Dad had multiple stints put in on a widowmaker, had ~50% function.

Goes to 9k feet every fall and gives em hell

 

[CB4]

My FIL just had a stint put in last week after having minor discomfort. Had 90% blockage on the widowmaker. He is 50+ and bikes roughly 50 miles every weekend and walks at least 50 miles a week. Very active and fit but as T&K mentioned genetics dont care. Listen to your body and have the tests done. His doc told him to return to normal activity in 2-3 days. Next week he will be in southern UT hiking all of the national parks.

 

[hunting1]

I am 51 and very active and a year and a half ago had a heart attack and two stents. Mentally it was an issue for 6-months but I feel great and do everything I was before. I still take baby aspirin and cholesteryl medicine but feel great. I had no damage to my heart so I know mileage varies but eat right, exercise, and enjoy life.

 

[DooleyVT]

My FIL just had a stint put in last week after having minor discomfort. Had 90% blockage on the widowmaker. He is 50+ and bikes roughly 50 miles every weekend and walks at least 50 miles a week. Very active and fit but as T&K mentioned genetics dont care. Listen to your body and have the tests done. His doc told him to return to normal activity in 2-3 days. Next week he will be in southern UT hiking all of the national parks.

That is fantastic and these stories give me a huge sense of relief. Appreciate it.

 

[DooleyVT]

I am 51 and very active and a year and a half ago had a heart attack and two stents. Mentally it was an issue for 6-months but I feel great and do everything I was before. I still take baby aspirin and cholesteryl medicine but feel great. I had no damage to my heart so I know mileage varies but eat right, exercise, and enjoy life!

Hopefully I am headed in a very similar direction. Thanks!

 

[rookieforever33]

I had a calcium test done in February and they didn’t schedule me an appointment until just a few weeks ago, I’m 64 in a week.
I just thought no news was good news.
Wrong, my score was like 2560, in the 90th percentile of where you don’t want to be.
I go in the first week of October for a stress test, so we’ll see what happens then.
I’ve been preparing for this hunting season for so long and I’m worried that it won’t happen.
Among other things
We just have our grandchildren in the last few years, and don’t want to miss out on anything with them. Also, like others have said it really effects your confidence, and my thinking, that I’m the one who should be taking care, and protecting my family, and now I’m the burden….
Hard pill to swallow

At 46 years old I found out in a rather unpleasant way that I had kidney cancer. It was 6.5 lbs and meant major surgey to remove my kidney along with the mass. Its a strange feeling to hug your wife and wake up 8 hours later in a fog with a 12 inch wound stapled shut below your ribcage. When they tried to make me stand up next to the bed that night I almost passed out. 3 days later I was walking around the hallways scared to leave the hospital in case something went wrong. On the morning of day 4 I heard Morgan Freeman from Shawshank redemption. Get busy livin, or get busy dying.
Now I enjoy life more than ever. The air smells better. I love my loved ones more than ever. I feel like I faced something bigger than me and survived thanks to the medical professionals. I do not want to waste my time, their time, or my loved ones anymore. I live my best life while including them whenever I can. When I want to do something they dont want to do, they encourage me because they know its important for me to do things I almost never got the chance to. Being scared makes you feel alive and know some things in life are to important to lose. Courage is doing it even though you are scared. And human.

 

[DooleyVT]

At 46 years old I found out in a rather unpleasant way that I had kidney cancer. It was 6.5 lbs and meant major surgey to remove my kidney along with the mass. Its a strange feeling to hug your wife and wake up 8 hours later in a fog with a 12 inch wound stapled shut below your ribcage. When they tried to make me stand up next to the bed that night I almost passed out. 3 days later I was walking around the hallways scared to leave the hospital in case something went wrong. On the morning of day 4 I heard Morgan Freeman from Shawshank redemption. Get busy livin, or get busy dying.
Now I enjoy life more than ever. The air smells better. I love my loved ones more than ever. I feel like I faced something bigger than me and survived thanks to the medical professionals. I do not want to waste my time, their time, or my loved ones anymore. I live my best life while including them whenever I can. When I want to do something they dont want to do, they encourage me because they know its important for me to do things I almost never got the chance to. Being scared makes you feel alive and know some things in life are to important to lose. Courage is doing it even though you are scared. And human.

Really good stuff man. I have since held the people I care about a little tighter and enjoyed sunrises a little more and have taken a few extra breaths of the crisp northern New England air. I'm looking forward to not taking the little things for granted and making some more great memories.

 

[Amos Keeto]

One dose of staring your own mortality in the face and you get a whole new appreciation for life!
My first was the result of a car wreck.
I'm waiting for a doctor to tell me, "It can be terminal!"

 

[dog]

Just so you know, even though most seem to do ok with them, stints can have a down side. At any rate people having these kinds of issues don’t have much choice. Doctors generally do stints before considering surgery.

 

[bigv]

My wife was a cardiac nurse, ICU nurse, and Interventional Radiology nurse (strokes). Sometimes, there is literally no amount of exercise, healthy diet, etc. that can prevent genetics from doing what genetics do.

She would see 30 year old healthy individuals with massive strokes, heart attacks, etc. Working as a police officer, I would see individuals with end stage cirrhosis at 35, while heavy drinkers living on the streets were still kicking at 70 years old with minimul health issues.

I get blood work done every year. I have high cholesterol (which runs in my family). I have yet to go on medication, as it's only marginally high, yet it's important for everyone...I mean EVERYONE...to do yearly physicals with blood work when you hit 30 years of age. Genetics do not care about how many salads you eat or miles you hike. That's what I have learned after hearing all the stories my wife has.

This is accurate. My wife is in the medical field. I think she said something like 65% of your health issues are genetically related. The rest is what you were exposed to or did to yourself.
My dad had 5 bypassed about 3 years ago. He was 74 when done. He was plugged up but doc says it was due to just aging--not genetics or lifestyle. Took awhile to heal up but feels great now.
Doc said, "Think about it...car engine. A few parts wear out and you put new parts in! Good to go!" You leave better than you came so have confidence. I get being scared a bit and worried...its your heart! But after some grace time healing up you should be confident that you are now better than you were!!!