Member Profiles
Michael
I am a 50 year old male who was diagnosed with heart disease in May of 2000. I first noticed symptoms while starting out on a jogging program. I couldn't seem to catch my breath. I am an old athlete, so I figured that I was just being a wanny, so I continued to jog for a period of about eight months. I actually began to feel pretty good, but occasionally I would feel light headed and dizzy during a workout. I managed to lose about thirty pounds. I am 6'3" and weigh about 185 lbs. When I took my thallium treadmill, I felt pretty good to, until the doctor told me that I had failed the test miserably. I then was ordered to do an angiogram. Results there said that I needed a quintuple bypass because three of my arteries were 97% blocked and two were over 60%. He also said that I had suffered a silent heart attack. I underwent surgery and began rehab. (I was on my own as Blue Cross doesn't believe in cardiac rehab.) I never did feel quite right, although I began golfing and doing some physical exercise.
My cardiologist suggested I take another thallium stress test after about six months. I failed again. The doctor said that I needed another angiogram. I had the angiogram and he wanted to do an angioplasty the next day. (He doesn't like to do both on the same day.) He got in there and found that three of the bypasses had completely failed and the other two were working fine. He couldn't do the angioplasty because I just about bought the farm on the table. He has since told me to quit jogging due to my angina and has me on Lipitor, aspirin, and Acupril. I feel pretty good, but am unable to stress my heart at all without pain. I also have what they call unstable angina, which I treat with nitro glycerin. I guess my main concern is that since three of the bypasses failed and I still have heart pain, I am just sort of waiting to kick the bucket. I don't know what the doctor has in mind. I believe he is a very good doctor, but I would like to know what my future is or if I even have one.
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