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Newbie here, just dx with CAD

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Heart & Cardiovascular Disease
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Posted 5/29/2008 5:22 PM (GMT 0)
 Ok, here I am, never thought I would be but I am. I was just dx with CAD and have an appt. with the cardiologist next week.

I guess mostly I just wanted to introduce myself, I am Jode, 51, divorced ( long story as usual) and my kids are grown and ont heir own. I live with my mother now and am located din Michigan.

Anyone on here with a similar dx? Well let me restate that.....can anyone tell me how you cope with this? I was dx with Rheumatoid Arthritis in 1991, have been dealing with that and now this.

I guess I just have tons of questions and believe that knowledge is the best medicine for the soul and the mind to get through this.

Jode 

 

Posted 6/4/2008 7:15 PM (GMT 0)
Jode - how did they diagnose your CAD.  I have CAD - I have one artery that is completely blocked, but my heart formed collaterol vessels around the blockage.  Are you on any medications?  How bad did they say your CAD is?

I'm 55 and female - just so you know.

Posted 6/6/2008 1:21 AM (GMT 0)

Hi Jode,

I was diagnosed with coronary blockage 10 years ago at age 48. The diagnosis was done with an angiogram also called a heart catherterization. I went through all the usual test over a period of years prior to that, EKG, stress test, stress test with echo cardiogram, and contrast scan. The only one that showed any problem was the angiogram. The scan showed some indication of blockage but not like the angiogram. The angiogram showed four blockages 50%,75%, 70% and 100%. I had quadruple bypass in May 1999 as a result. I feel great today. I was and still am an ardent devotee of exercise. (three time a week with weights and five days a week running two to three miles, bicycle when the weather is good) No futher problems with my heart and no damage to the organ.

The angiogram is the most positive and most invasive of the tests. However, there may be some new methods with the CT scan. I am not up to date. My younger brother had a heart attack at 50 and as a result has two stints. This was 8 years ago and he is doing well.

I would suggest that you speak with the cardiologist about the accuracy of the test recommended. My test went on over a period of years before I had the incident that made me go in for the angiogram. I feel that had I had the angiogram seven years earlier I could have done the stints instead of surgery. Recovery time is a lot less and less stress on the body. Although, I have to admit, I was running two miles/day by the fifth week and lifting light weights by the tenth week after surgery.

Good luck with your prognosis. There is a lot that can be done today. The key is get good information from definitive tests so you know the extent of the problem. Then you can look at the alternatives for treatment based on facts. Who knows, all it may take is change of diet and some exercise.

Regards,

Don

Posted 6/7/2008 10:40 PM (GMT 0)

Jode,

I do not have CAD but my sister did and I am very familiar with CAD. Welcome to HealingWell and I hope we can answer your questions and offer you the support you need.

Research suggests that coronary artery disease (CAD) starts when certain factors damage the inner layers of the coronary arteries. These factors include:

Smoking

High amounts of certain fats and cholesterol in the blood

High blood pressure

High amounts of sugar in the blood due to insulin resistance or diabetes

Another factor is of course family history of heart disease.  Some of these issues can be addressed however, I would like to see you go to your appointment with your cardiologist with an open mind and build a trust relationship with this person.  After you have received his opinion, you will know better what it is you want to research etc.

The books suggested maybe something you want to look into after your first meeting with your Cardiologist or you may be referred to a nutritionist who will help you indiviaulize your healthy eating plan and follow your lab work. The Pritkins book has a 1991 copyright so I would keep an open mind before ordering books yet.

I prefer to use the American Heart Association as my resource but again each person has the choice to choose their own treatment plan.  What works for one may not work for another.

I am so glad you got some variety of information here.  Take care and Gentle Hugs to you.

Kitt

Posted 6/7/2008 11:19 PM (GMT 0)
Jode, I also don't have CAD, but my husband recently had angiography and a stint placement for CAD. The diets recommended in the books cited are essentially oil-free vegan diets, and will without doubt lower cholesterol and triglycerides for most people. The problem is, if you happen to be one of the unfortunate people with a genetic-based hyperlipidemia, your liver will make cholesterol out of whatever materials it gets, so you may still have high cholesterol counts. Also, as Selmer said, the diets are so highly restrictive that few people are able to maintain them.

Certainly limiting your intake of simple carbohydrates and of fats, especially saturated and hydrogenated fats is beneficial. One very important factor in improving your HDL (good cholesterol) to LDL (bad cholesterol) level is exercise. However, since you already know you have CAD, please wait until after your heart function has been evaluated to start any new exercise programs.

Also be aware that if you have been treated with steroids such as Prednisone for your RA, they are well-known for raising blood sugar and resistance to insulin, causing type II diabetes. This can also contribute to the heart issues.

For now, relax, take it easy and pamper yourself to keep from getting too anxious. Remember that CAD is treatable and many people are walking around who have been very successfully treated. When my husband had his procedure, he was found to have a 98% blockage, yet he had had absolutely no symptoms. On his last follow-up with the cardiologist, he was released to do whatever physical activities he wants without restriction. The doctor said his heart is in great shape now and not a problem, he just needs to follow up every six months.

Good luck to you, and keep us posted on how you do.
Posted 6/8/2008 4:25 PM (GMT 0)

Selmer,

May I ask your your credentials are to be giving such strong suggestions on people's diet?  Are you a registered dietiation?  Registered Nurse, Physician or Cardiologist?  Do you have Heart Disease?  or a heart condition that you feel qualifies you to relate to some of the posters here?

This forum is first and foremost for encouragement and support.  The people who post here have very real diseases/disorders which are scary to face.  They are mostly reaching out here to find people who have similiar/like problems or disorders.  Sometimes just to know that your not alone in a disease is a big thing when your sick.  Yes, sharing of information is a huge part of this forum.  The sharing of experiances and knowledge. 

I understand that you feel this diet would be beneficial to many people here.  However, I havent seen anyone post about diet, or anything that would even pertain to this being appropiate for you to post.  I dont think it is right to just assume that someone has a bad diet or isnt eating right just because they have CAD, or heart disease. 

I am also seeing a very critical tone out of your posts here lately...please know that your "speaking" to other adults and be respectful.  I am sorry I couldnt address this to you in person but you dont have your e-mail addy activated so I had to post it here.  Should you have a reply please address it to my e-mail which is under my username.

Thank you ~ Elisha

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