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Health Info
Coronary Artery Disease, Heart Conditions and Stroke
Coronary Artery Disease, high cholesterol and high blood pressure can be passed from a family member, eating foods high in saturated and trans fats, eating foods with lots of salt and Stress.
My Story - by Judy/aka JuJu
I have Coronary Artery Disease, passed on to me by my Daddy who passed away at 49. It was in 1980 and we didn't know what high cholesterol and Coronary Artery Disease was. I was checked at a health fair in May 2006, found I had high cholesterol and had already been diagnosed with high blood pressure and put on meds. In August, 2006...I had pain in my elbow that radiated up to my shoulder. Since I'd had neck surgery in August, 2005, I blamed it on the screws and the fact it was cold. The screws get cold and hurt so I thought that was the problem. After having 5 attacks on August 24th, I told my Husband to get dressed and rush me to the ER since the pain was so intense. Blood work, EKG, and a cocktail type drink was done and given to me to rule out a heart attack. EKG showed no signs of one, blood work showed my potassium was low and blood pressure was high. The ER doc prescribed potassium and told me to see my family dr.
On August 26th, I had 2 more attacks after my sister and I went to town to pay bills and buy groceries. I'd helped her unload her bags, then came home and unloaded mine. The pain started again, but I shrugged it off as the potassium still being low. I'd called the ER to see what my potassium level was the day before and was told I'd have to come out there..that info couldn't be given over the phone. I called my sister and by then, I was having the second attack, but this time it went up into my jaws. My sister told me she'd get right over and take me to the ER. Another EKG was done, I was hooked up to a heart and blood pressure monitor and given nitro and a Valium drip. I would go to sleep and wake up asking my sister where did the doctor go.
*Her, being a former LPN, knew from watching my heart rate run way up then drop way down, knew I was having or had, had, a heart attack. She'd already called my Mom, my middle sister, my husband and my best friend.*
She went to see and said he was comparing the EKG to the one done August 24th. He called a cardiologist in Oxford and was told to get me over there by Ambulance as soon as I was stabalized enough for the ride. I was refusing to go, and not believing this was happening. My husband got there and told me I was getting in that Ambulance and going whether I liked it or not! I was told I said "yes sir". lol! I don't remember any of the things I said but my sister sure does and told me. I was NOT a good patient! lol!
Ambulance rushed me over and took me to the ICU unit. Dr. Purdon, the Cardiologist came in and said I would have a heart cath done the next morning unless I had another attack then he'd do it immediately. Didn't have any problems that night other than being afraid. Was given Valium drips and other meds Was taken in the next morning after them giving me a shot of Valium and last I remember was them moving me on a cold table and putting a warmed thermal blanket on me. Woke up to a nurse doing something to my leg and I asked her when was he going to do the cath. She said "Sweetie, it's done. I'm just bandaging your leg then we'll take you back to ICU." I asked her where was I during the cath. rofl! She said you were right here and laughed.
Dr. Purdon came in a little while later and said I'd had a heart attack, he put a stint in a main artery that had 95% blockage and I'd also had a silent heart attack sometime before this and 2 arteries hooked together and repaired that damage. Needless to say, I was shocked. Was kept in ICU for a day then moved to the cardiac care unit where I spent 3 days. Was finally released and was put on Plavix, a 325 mg. Coated Aspirin and Mevacor for Cholesterol. He also said the 2 ER dr's I'd seen were right on top of things. Now, that may sound normal...but not in Batesville MS. Most people here won't even stop at the ER here...unless they just can not make it to Oxford Baptist, which was my case as well. I was telling my husband to get me to Oxford, but he knew something major was happening and was scared he couldn't get me that far. Thank God, he knew that. *S*
Have to quit smoking...which is very hard...and have to walk and get exercise. I have to eat foods with low fats, no cholesterol, low salt and lots of raw veggies and fruits. I'm very small...5'3, 116 lbs now and was 120 when I had the heart attack. It doesn't matter what size, weight you are. A heart attack or stroke can strike at any time if your cholesterol and blood pressure are out of whack.
I want everyone to know, especially women, the signs of a heart attack. Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women - a fact most women don't know. In women, there can be pain in the elbow radiating up the arm, into the shoulder or neck, and up into your jaws and in your back. In men, it starts with the left arm hurting then radiating into the chest area, much like indigestion.
I urge everyone that reads this to have cholesterol checked and if you already have high cholesterol and/or high blood pressure, be aware of the signs of a stroke or heart attack. Get to a hospital immediately should you have any of these signs of a heart attack. Never just blow it off as indigestion or just another minor pain.
Below is some more info that's very useful. Please don't ignore warning signs like I did and become a victim of a heart attack!
Thank God I made it through it. But am still at risk for having another one if I don't do as the dr. says. I walk a treadmill when the weather is bad, and walk the road or track at the high school when weather permits. Eat the right foods, tho you can splurge occassionally. And am trying to kick that nasty habit....smoking!
Heart Disease, Stroke Helpful Info
Heart & Artery Disease Newsletter - News You Can Use Many conditions can put you at increased risk for a future heart attack or stroke, including recent heart attack, recent stroke, or established peripheral artery disease, or P.A.D. aka/poor circulation in the legs that may cause pain during exercise, such as walking, and may be relieved by rest.
Compared to the general population, people who have had a heart attack face a 5 times greater risk of another heart attack and 3 times greater risk of stroke.
People who have had a stroke have 9 times the risk of having another stroke and twice the risk of having a heart attack. And, those with P.A.D. have twice the risk of having a stroke and 4 times the risk of dying from a heart attack.
A Doctor Discusion Guide is available If you have been hospitalized with heart-related chest pain (unstable angina) or had a certain type of heart attack,conditions doctors call Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) you, too, are at a higher risk for a future heart attack or stroke. Certain risk factors for PAD cannot be controlled, such as aging or having a personal or family history of PAD, cardiovascular disease or stroke. However, there are many risk factors that you can control including:
Cigarette smoking
Obesity
Diabetes mellitus
High blood pressure
Physical inactivity
High blood cholesterol
There is prescription medicine that when taken daily can help reduce your risk of having a future heart attack or stroke. It is recommended for people who have suffered from a recent heart attack or recent stroke, or who have been diagnosed with peripheral artery disease, or P.A.D. aka/poor circulation in the legs that may cause pain during exercise, such as walking, and may be relieved by rest.
Also this link has lots of info especially for women. http://www.americanheart.org

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