Stents

Hugs, Teri

I am not sure why you are having increased HR or are you haviing palpitations?  If you are having palpitations perhaps it could be from your meds as I know when I was taking Norvasc it gave me palpitations and other side effects so I was switched - My HR also has increased I noticed it the last week of my cardiac rehab-- but I think it might have been in relation to my meds as my beta blocker had been decreased-  If you continue to have increased HR or palpitations I"m with Teri you should see your cardio!

Or at least call him-

Read this

http://www.cnn.com/2005/HEALTH/conditions/03/07/heart.stents.ap/

kalip

No I was lucky enough not to have ever had a heart attack. My father was a huge hypocondriac (is that the correct spelling), and maybe because of that I do pay more attention to what my body is telling me. I'm a lot like him. Anyway, it has helped me stay away from a heart attack, so guess all's well that ends well.

My doctor for the Sarcoidosis had bypass surgery a couple of years back. He said his only lasted about 8 months, and he is now just managing his problem with meds. I find it interesting how many of us that have had the bypass surgery find it doesn't last even a year before more problems arise. I watch my diet, exercise, etc but it still comes back. I am very hopeful that with the new medicated stent inside the old stent that will stop any further blockage from scarring.

You mentioned small vessel disease. Does that have anything to do with spasms of the small arteries? My doctor is of the opinion that is part of the reason for my angina.

I guess I'm one of the lucky ones to have such a strong heart. Before they began medicating me to keep the heart from beating so strongly it had caused the aorta outside the aortic valve to enlarge. It isn't an anuresym, just an enlarged area to accomodate the amount of blood pumped out so quickly. The valve isn't in the best of shape, but not near bad enough to have anything done to it.

Thanks for the reply, and best of luck to all! I'll check in periodically to see how everyone is.

I noticed one about keeping all your medical info. I carry a sheet in my wallet, with one in each of the vehicles, listing ALL my doctors with their phone numbers, ALL my allergies, all the medications I take, dosage, and when I take them, and ALL the procedures I have had done in the last 10 years. Everytime I go into the emergency room or hospital the doctors are all very pleased to have that sheet of paper to go by. Makes it lots easier for me also. I don't have to try to remember everything when I'm stressed out to begin with. I also wear a MedicAlert necklace that indicates anyone who treats me should call MedicAlert NOW, not wait. Hope this helps someone else.

Count your blessings!  I know there must be lots more folks out there just like you, but many of us aren't so lucky. God Bless.

What about that? 

Dear Barbs, Teri, et alle.

Its good to see that all of you are doing reasonably well.  Barb, nearly everyone in my Mended Hearts group goes through some depression.  It is COMPLETELY normal.  With some it lasts for a short time, with others it goes on for years.  Some get so angry that they have to go to an anger management class.  I'd like to say that it goes away, and with many it does.  Most of the people in my group stay very gaurded about their health for at least a year and nearly 20 percent continue to worry into their 2nd year.

Here's a hint for breakfast that my wife and I worked out.  We buy a Belgian waffel mix (some are a little less caloric than others, so we use Maple Grove Farms mix).  Next I buy either egg beaters or All Whites in the package that has three 4 oz cups.  These stay fresh far longer than the old milk carton they used to sell.

I combine 2 cups of mix with on 4 oz Egg Beaters and 4 Tablespoons of melted Smart Balance 67% margerine. After mixing together, pour in some soda water (wierd, but it works) or sparkling water until the batter is smooth.  This makes about 3 good sized waffles, and get this:  0 cholesterol, only 12 gms of fat, and 250 calories per waffle.  Pick your style of syrup or just some lemon juice and powdered sugar and you have a great breakfast treat that is about as heart healthy as you can get.  My wife loves it, and the doctor approves too.

One other wierd but wonderful food hint.  I have habitually had a craving for corn dogs.  After my surgery, that became a real loss.  Fortunately I found that Hot Dog on a Stick offers a Veggie dog that is just as delicious as their normal fare.  Just 3 grams of fat, 5 milligrams of cholesterol, and 180 calories.

Off to see the cardiologist tomorrow and see if they want to add a beta blocker to lower my blood pressure.  Exercise and 12mg of HCTZ diaretic is doing pretty well holding it at about 125 / 80, but they might want to get it down lower.  Still having aches about 12 hours after exercise, but still no angina and its nearly 6 months on the RCA and 5 months on the LAD.

Barb, how is your son doing in Iraq.  Our thoughts are with you and him.

John D