The Knowledge Board:
Cardiovascular Disease
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The onset of heart disease whether it be a case of Chronic heart disease (CHD), Congenital heart disease or Cardiomyopathyis, is no doubt overwhelming and represents a life changing experience to those affected.
Scientists have yet to unravel all of the causes of heart disease. However, certain risk factors are said to increase the likelihood of developing it. These include factors such as age, gender, genetics or ethnic group. The risk factors we do have some control over include what we eat, our smoking habits, and the amount of exercise we take.
This Blog seeks to explore the correlation between lifestyle and heart disease.
We would be grateful if you could share your experience by answering the questions below
1. What treatments do you follow for your condition?
2. In coping with the condition have you made any particular changes to your lifestyle?
These questions are only a guide and so please feel free to bring up any other issues that you feel are relevant to you. Also, please do add any other sources of information or support that you have found useful.
Thanks very much in advance for your help. Remember, a blog is really like having a conversation with lots of people at the same time and so please check back on the blog to see what others have said so that if you feel like adding to their thoughts you can. It's a conversation and a chance to learn and share!
I look forward to reading your comments and, of course, thank you very much for your input.
PS: Please feel free to share this blog with anyone who you think might find it of interest.
Richard | 10/04/2008 13:41:00
Thank you for taking the time to contribute to this Resblog. It is hoped that through this you will be able to benefit from the experience of other, while at the same time lending your own personal experience. Once you have submitted your comments feel free at anytime to click on the link to see additional contributions.
Pat Duckworth | 10/04/2008 16:58:00
1) Since having had by-pass surgery 5 years ago, I now take various medicines.2) I have reduced my working week to 3 days (previously 5)Unfortunately one graph was unsuccessful but the smaller capiliaries around the heart are expected to develop to take over from that one. I took up ballroom dancing and try to keep fit by walking as much as possible. I do find anxiety can still trigger angina as well as cold or windy weather. I was 51 when I had the surgery - I am now 57. Both my parents had heart disease but they were heavy smokers. I have never smoked and I don't drink - just the way the cookie crumbles I guess.
Sashman | 10/04/2008 17:23:00
I didn’t start out with a heart condition, it, as it were occurred one night and arrived with the diagnosis of a ‘dissected aorta’. What I’d had was a high BP although made worse and probably masked by aspects of the Post Polio Syndrome which originally had affected me as child in 1949 and left me with scoliosis and a paralysed right arm.For about 8 - 10 years prior to the increased hid BP my Post Polio problems had been increasing and whereas I’d once been a very regular cyclist, I had all but ceased that activity due to the stress I was feeling along the length of my back and my should (of the paralysed arm).I survived the surgery, in fact (as they informed me when I ‘surfaced’ some 4 weeks later) I’d survived three lots of repair work to my aorta, and I managed to also survive the Nursing Recovery Programme too.Since my episode (in 03), I have been on a regime of drugs which keeps my BP in check, but the other problem(s regarding Polio have created a series of physically limiting effects on my ability to stay healthy ~ such as exercising. Back “stress’’ and on ‘not good days’, my fatigue levels, have very low thresholds that sometimes require me to sit every ten minutes or so. On those days that are really problematic, then there can be the need to lay down and rest for a half hour or longer and sometimes sleep too.My ‘good side’ is my left, but even then I have a limited range of strength and arm movement in my left arm, and added to which, as a result of a melanoma in the middle finger of my good hand, following plastic surgery, there is loss of sensitivity and dexterity therein too.Basically, the only limb I really have left going for me in full working condition, is my left leg. And at 60 years of age, I’m wondering about that hip and the possibility of it giving my troubles as a result of the added stress it takes due to the scoliosis and the way I stand and walk.To cap it all, I’ve lost most of my hair and had ‘Peronnes Disease’ too.
Colin Carpenter | 10/04/2008 18:45:00
I've had a heart problem for a long time now. It was discovered when I was diagnosed with Pancreatitis.( I know thats how not to spell it) I had HBP. during the stay in hospital after treatment family problems with the heart became apparent. The whole family has heart problems. During a time I spent in the States they found that I had an severe heart problem which they said I needed a Transplant. cut a long story short I have had about 6 attacks and finally had a Triple By-pass which was wholly successful and with medication am now hiking and even playing some football. I shall be 61 in August.
Louise J | 10/04/2008 20:31:00
I had a rough time whilst carrying twins, I had pre-elampsia and had them delivered 13 weeks early, about 8 weeks after delivery I went into heart failure (dilated cardiomyopathy). I was very poorly and things looked grim.However, thanks to an excellent cardiologist and treatment with drugs 10 years on my heart in now within the normal range and I have gone from taking seven different types of medication daily to just two.When first diagnosed I felt that my life was over and that I wouldn't see my children grow up ( I was only 26), but staying positive and following the drug regime has given me a second chance.
john Austin | 10/04/2008 21:53:00
I am 79 and two years ago, I underwent an angioplasty through the Braichial Artery, and a stent inserted, 6 months later I went for a second operation, when they found the stent had almost completely blocked again, so they reinserted a new coated stent, and I have to report for the next two years for assesment, hopefully this will be OK with a doses of Clopridgerel, and Aspirin daily.The surgeon has come over from Malaysia to teach British doctors this technique through the wrist instaed of through the Groin, I must say, it was a mors pleasnt experience, less discomfort, than through the Groin
Phill Owen | 10/04/2008 22:49:00
Hi there, I am 59 and had heart disease for the past 6years, then I had a pacemaker and heart modulator (Two seperate things) put in. I was told to live life normally, but slowly. I have had more attacks since 2 bad ones, I lost my licences and only got my car licence back. Depressed? well yes at first! I bought a motorcycle, computer and a yacht; the yacht is cheaper than you think, a caravan on water, £3000 and £1000 a year mooring in a marina. The bike gets me there without the traffic jams! no parking tickets at sea, the computer? well that is how I am talking to you! Don't give up, and don't live down; if you complain all the time people will not want to be with you, smile all the time and the wife will think you are hiding something from her. Life is not hard or easy, it is just life, so enjoy it, I do..
jackismith | 11/04/2008 00:47:00
at 33 years old and told suffering sever heart burn for months eventualy the worse happened and i was i had suffer a heart attack on looking further into my condition doctors told me told i had petite arterys and a blocked lower artery doctors not willing to opperate until life or death situation as i was a young mother my own mother died within a year of my myself having a heart attack at the age of 59 my father died at the age of 52 of lunge disease as a smoker to doctors prognosis not so good but still strive to improve lifestyle eachg and every day
Michael NZ | 11/04/2008 04:20:00
Diagnosed with Haemochromatosis 1979. De-ironed conventionally. M.I. 1986, prognosis 5 years. Admitted to Hospital with unstable angina 1993, discharged on large amount of heart medication. Told that nothing else could be done. Since then, self experimented venesection therapy by keeping myself in an iron deficient, slightly anaemic condition ALL the time. Thus "sucking" out the stored iron in the heart muscle. My discharge notes from hospital 7 weeks ago after another small heart attack, noted; "With medical therapy he has done very well for the last 15 years, with only Class 1-2 angina." Latest investigation shows that the heart muscle remaining after the initial M.I. is now in "excellent condition" and I am now waiting for urgent multiple by-pass surgery, which was not possible in 1993. Proving that iron overload is a factor in heart disease, by destroying the heart muscle (the mineral that is mainly responsible for free radicals & oxidation).
Michael | 11/04/2008 22:45:00
I was diagnosed with H/B/P IN 1995, and despite increasingly higher medication my HBP was not controlled and the readings ranged from 190/220 over 95/120, I was advised to stop smoking and change my lifestyle, 22/06/2002 i had an heart attack. I have suffered from stress & nervous disbilities from childhood, and think stress was the main cause of my HBP, and resulting uncontrolled HBP was the main reason for my heart attack, my cholestrol levels were very good, whilst recovering from my heart attack, i was given either 19/20.21 seperate tablets at 10am, after 2/3 days i complained to cardiac team leader that i belived serious mistake been made, and that my GP had not deleted the previous medications that had once been prescribed on his computer, the next day my medications were drastically reduced to 6 or 7? Suffice to state on release my HBP varied between 190/195 over 95 to 102. I got fed up with my quality bnof life, and started to seek information on the internet regarding reducing my HBP and my medication, the USA had a few good sites at that time, and advise anyone to use the internet to seek info,it certainly helped me. Treatment i now take is much reduced, Atenolol 50 mgs twice a day,Amlodipine 5mgs a day, Bendroflumethlazide 2.5mgs per day, these 3 medications for my Heart disease and HBP, Atorvastatin 40 mgs, Aspirin 75mgs tese two medications for cholestrol and blood thinning. In coping with my HBP and Heart disease, I changed my lifestyle by ceasing to smoke for 14months only to restart, quit, restart, and at present quit again, we bought a dog and walk most days weather permitting at least 30 minutes a day, sometimes 2 hours a day, I bought a arm blood pressure machine from LLOYDS Chemists £10, and monitored my HBP daily, and after months of reduced readings i would try cutting my medication of Atenol from 200mgs to 150mgs then on my readings remaining good i cut Atenol down to 100mgs, I had already cut out entirely 16 mgs Carduran XL that i was on , I learnt to breathe properly and listen to deep relaxation tapes, and eat sensibly, and take a librium tablet when feeling panic attacks to severe. I'm now 67, I was 61 when I had my heart attack, my HBP averages between 108/137 over 67/82, I see no Heart Specialist or Clinics, and mostly improved through prayers and seeking medical knowledge on the internet, and the wonderful advise on the net, and the wonders of todays medication. I took Benecol for a year and eat more fruit, and vegs, and learnt to relax more, the medications i used to take gave me various gastric and digestive disorders, and IBS, etc, hence my seeking expert knowledge via the internet, and for me it worked, God Bless You All.
Paul Worrallo | 13/04/2008 18:15:00
Firstly there is no history of heart problems in my family parents aor siblings. I was put on Atenalol to reduce high blood pressue som eighteen years ago and Zestril was added some six month laster because of breathlessness, Some eighteen months later I developed an irregular heart beat, after several month messing about with changing the dose rate of the drugs I was on I was given an ECG and a diagnocis concluded that nerves within my heart were damaged, no attempt was made to decide how this had come about, on referal to the Cardiovacular unit at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford it was decided that a pacemaker was necessary.My first lasted eight years and I am now on my second one, at 76 I doubt if I shall need another!!Having lost over 30% bi-aural hearing due to aircraft noise, piston and gas turbine [Attributable to RAF Service War Pensioner] I am personnaly convinved that the nerve damage was caused by the exposure to high frequency vibrations the same which caused the hearing loss though of course MOD would never admit it!I now suffer quite sever aeodema in both legs and wear elastic stockings no doubt an indication that all is not so good, and futher deterioration is in progress. I live alone and cope as best I can.
Stephanie | 16/04/2008 04:16:00
I want to first say I wish everyone the best of luck with management of their heart health! Heart disease patients are fighters in life. My 1 minute rundown: I'm 24 year old female born with a Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD) that was never repaired due to the fact it was not large enough. I was in heart failure at birth and as an infant but reversed and lived a normal life. Never any problems until I was 20 years old. I just went to the cardiologist 1X/yr for a check-up, took prophylactic medicine before dental work, and that's it. At age 20 I passed out and started having a rapid heart beat. Went through the whole Holter monitor, Even Recorder, EKG's, met with an Electophysiology Dr where it was determined I have Supraventricular Tachycardia (related to a heart that's always had to work harder). They recommended an ablation-in which I said "No" to. I've been on Calcium Channel Blockers and currently the Beta Blocker (Toprol XL) for management to control the tachycardia and its symptoms (fatigue, syncope, dizziness). So far, so good. I'm a healthy weight, eat a low sodium, low fat diet, work out regularly, and have no worsening of my condition. The ONLY lifestyle change I had to make was cutting out caffeine in its entirity (Ugh)! :) A 24 year old working on a Masters degree-I need a little caffeine at times but have been fine without it. It does take a little while to get off the Starbucks and Mt. Dews though! I go to the cardiologist 2X/year unless I have any additional problems/complaints. I'm getting my Masters in Nursing (Nurse Practitioner) so I'm pretty confident with symptoms to be alterted about which helps a lot. Good luck to everyone. I will be anxious to see if any other adult congenital heart disease patients out there post on this blog! --Stephanie Arnold :)
Michael Smith | 20/04/2008 11:28:00
I suffered a mild heart attack two years ago at the age of 58. It only manifest itself as pains in my collar bones and I didn't associate this with heart. Earlier I did have high blood pressure due to the intake of too much salt in make-in-the-cup soups. I was diagnosed with two arteries that were 99 per cent blocked and had to have a stent inplant. Since then I've have taken medication every day: Aspirin, Atenalol, Ramipril and Simvastatin. I have to take these for the rest of my life, says my doctor. My lifestyle has changed in that I take more walking exercise and a siesta after lunch most days. I also do cardiac aerobics once a week and occasionally go swimming. I have cut down on fatty foods, eat much more fruit, including one or two apple every day, and feel a lot fitter.
Peter Murphy | 20/04/2008 20:00:00
I had a heart attack 17 years ago. I went into hospital with chest pains , and stayed in for about a week . I was put on Aspirin . Digoxin and Mononitrate. At the time of the attack I was 58 years of age. I continued to work for 2 more years and took early retirement when I was 60.My pulse rate has been maintained at about 60.I have had 6monthly check ups at the doctors and my blood pressure I am told are excellent for my age. I recently retired from golf but have had no further hospital checks in 17 years.However I was told in 2002 that I was type 2 Diabetic and I have been on Tablet and diet control since then. Tomorrow I go to the Diabetic Clinic at the local hospital with a veiw to being put on insulin. Generally speaking I am active and quiet mobile without any great problems with mobility.At this time I am fairlly severely deafened and wear two hearing aids
claire oliver | 03/05/2008 15:07:00
my daughter rachael was diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy and heart failure in 2006, aged 1 year old, she had an arrythmia, fluid on lungs liver and kidneys as well as everywhere else, the docs gave her a week then she would need a heart transplant, but a miracle happened and she responded to medication, captopril, sytron, frusemide,spironolactone,aspirin digoxin and carvedilol, in november last year she had an echo which showed her fs was at 42 it was below 8% when she first went to hospital, she was allowed to come off the aspirin, spironolactone and carvedilol, we are now waiting to see on the 15th of may if she can come off the rest of her meds as at her last echo her heart was within normal condition, im sharing this with you to show that there is some hope, rachael was very sick for a long time but her fighting spirit never let her down, my message to you all is never give up hope.
Jessica/Oliver | 12/05/2008 06:07:00
My son Oliver was diagnosed in utero at 22 weeks with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome(HLHS). Four days after birth he had his first surgery (Hybrid approach as opposed to Norwood) done by Dr. Mark Galantowicz at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus Ohio. Great surgeon, cannot say enough good things about him. He came through his first surgery pretty well and about 3 weeks later we went home. We went back for the second procedure when he was just a few days short of 6 months old. He did well, but unfortunately suffered a pulmonary embolism in his left PA. Doctors tried to remove it (cath procedure) and a piece broke off blocking the other lung as well. He was in cardiac arrest for a half hour and suffered a stroke. They got him back but didn't expect him to live. He was put into an induced coma in hopes of reducing brain swelling (typically used for car accident victims who suffer brain injury). For about 3 days straight he survived with saturations in the low twenties and late teens...He finally woke up after three weeks, and they said he would be a vegetable. 20% of his cerebellum is dead, and the rest of his brain was severely injured. I'm happy to report he is now 13 months old, and while very behind physically seems to be fine mentally. He is on 1 liter of oxygen (clot is still in the left PA) and his saturations run in between 75-85%. He is also primarily G-tube fed, as a result of losing coordination after his storke. We are working to get him drinking from a sippy cup and eating baby foods. He receives speech therapy once week and OT and PT once a month. He on is different meds for everything (Enalopril for his heart, Keppra for seizures, Lasix for fluid retention, Zantac, and we are weening from Clonidine...Neuro thought he would "stiffen" but he hasn't.) He is on two shots of Lovenox per day as well, although his hemoglobin typically stays above 20 (23.2 at last check) keeping him at risk for new blood clots....He is theraputic on Lovenox though (9.5mg each shot) Sometime in about a year Oliver will undergo his third (and hopefully final) surgery. At this time his surgeon is also hoping to be able to extract the clot blocking his left lung and at that time he will hopefully be able to go home without oxygen. Right now we just make sure to give him his meds and he receives therapy to "catch him up" developmentally. He's on 27 cal formula (Similac Alimentum). Other than that, he's not on a "special" diet. From a heart stand point, his cardiologist (Dr. Cua, also at Children's) just wants him to be eating healthy. His limitations are only because of lack of coordination. I know this is anonymous, but feel free to email if I've left anything out you may like to know. (jessicashelpman@hotmail.com) I'm also on MySpace, just search Jessica Shelpman. My MySpace page has pictures of Oliver from thirty seconds after birth all the way up to yesterday=) Hope this was helpful and feel free to contact me for anything else that may be
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