Heart health/cholesterol blood pressure and other nasties.

**Stav** · 15-08-2006, 04:38 PM

Well I just wanted to share with you guys something a little more important than the car. Living to enjoy it.

Firstly I never thought I would be facing death at 37 while not being obese,no blood pressure problems and playing sport.

So what can I offer you?? Experience,knowledge to maybe ring those warning bells so that you will be aware that you may be headed for trouble.

The first symptoms in myself was actually doing the lawns.I would have to stop and catch my breath.My dad who has had open heart surgery also had this problem before his operation. If you have to stop and catch your breath while doing lawns then I can 99% guarantee you have a blockage.Dont leave it ..get yourself to a doctor and insist on getting checked out.A stress test is a good preliminary test.If you get the all clear dont trust the stress test.If the symptoms continue you will need an angioplasty.This is where they stick a camera into your groin artery then into your heart.This will definately confirm any problems.
After having my heart attack in January no one could give me a straight answer why it happened.It seemed hand in hand that high cholesterol was definatelty the culprit.But I had my doubts on that seeing my dad never had high levels.It appears that there are some factors which draw cholesterol and calcium into the artery walls and as a result they lose elasticity.After much research I am beleving that the ratios of potassium,magnesium ,sodium and calcium are more to blame for blockages than cholesterol itself. Even so lower cholesterol levels do seem to help in many.
Logicol margarine....why it works.Well we have seen ads for these types of margarines for controlling cholesterol.These products contain plant sterols. Plant sterols have a molecullar structure very similar to cholesterol.The best way to use this product is have a slice of bread withthe margarine on it 1 hour before meals.This allows it to be absorbed and literally blocks cholesterol from being taken into thebloodstream ,yet the harmless plant sterols take its place.

Alcohol...1/4to half a cup of alcohol will reduce blood pressure and improve circulation. When I had my heart attack there was a high probability that part would never work again due to damage.I imediately researched and discovered that white blood cells attach themselves to the damaged tissue and surrounding tissue ,therefore causing damage to surrounding healthy tissue.Alcohol prevents the white cells sticking to healthy tissue and therefore make a better recovery.

Blood pressure..it seems that statistically most people have heart attacks on Mondays. The main problem is work. Stress levels rise on Monday after a weekend.Its seems that we can live a longer life by looking at things different than reacting with a stressing attitude. You have to step back and ask yourself is this worth killing myself over,then backoff a little..could save your life.

**Mechan1k** · 15-08-2006, 05:00 PM

My Father died when I was 12 (1990) ... we found out his cholesterol was quite high at the time (14.5) ... I was tested at the time and my cholesterol level was a 9.8 which was a bit of a shock (and I was actually classed as underweight for my height at the time.

After further testing throughout my father's side of the family it was found I have a hereditary cholesterol condition which cannot be treated by exercise and diet alone ... I have been taking Zocor 40mg Zocor from 1990 to around 2000 ... and from then onwards I have been on Lipitor 40mg (which i will need for the rest of my life to maintain my cholesterol).

I didn't know what the signs were when it comes to heart attacks ... although i found out later what they were and my Father had been complaining about them from time to time .. here are just a few symptoms:

bad circulation.
leg or arm going to sleep when sitting or laying down
cramping in extremities
feeling a little ill after a decent meal.
heart pulpitations

These are just a few to name.

I have managed to get my cholesterol level back down to just under the 6 level now ... which is a personal best for me ... exercise and and keeping a healthy diet has helped ... but if i stop the medication it sky-rockets again.

For people out there who is not sure what their cholesterol level or blood Glucose level is like ... go to you doctor ... it's a simple and easy blood test which also checks liver function as well (a vital part of ridding the body of cholesterol as well).

I know at times I do need to take it easy though ... goodness knows what damage my heart has undergone from early damage from cholesterol. I guess I am lucky I have caught it early ... but in the process losing my Father when young.

Put it this way ... everyone thought he was the healthiest one in the family ... he looked fit ... was bloody strong ... always working. He collapsed at home and died 20 minutes later in the bedroom before the ambulance arrived (took them 45 minutes and 5 phone calls to travel 3km) ... our family doctor drove out from his home on the weekend ... he was 15kays away and made it in 10 minutes. Unfortunately he was unable to do much.

I can tell you ... it's not enjoyable watching someone going through the throughs of a heart attack. It's something you never forget.

XRchic · 15-08-2006, 05:26 PM

Im off to get checked I think... some good advice there as cholesterol is one of those hidden evils which presents symptoms when it is all too late, often.

Take care guys, and thanks for the advice and warning signs!

gtfpv · 15-08-2006, 05:40 PM

well my father is 67 years old and in fair health. he arrived here at 18 years old and high blood pressure was found during his entry medical. at 40 hes was apparantly sky high . thats when he started medicine, he drinks every day ( beer) and has done most of his life .from age 25 to 50 probably 10 schooners per day. now 3 or 4 and sometimes 10. my mum had a hole in her heart from birth not expected to live passed 30 . by the time she was 16 in 1960 the technoligy was rthere for groundbreaking surgury. since then she has smoked and drank all her life. but now 62 having some problems. me had stress at age 13 upon investigation they found high blood pressure, it was ignored by doctors as stress, by 19 i had a checkup and found to be slightly high , upon heearing this news it only skyrocketed so did my pulse . fear made it worse . i had to take inderal for miagrains which gave me severe lucid nightmares, then renitec which i was allergic to. than tenorman which worked . but i had palpitations if i missed one and felt dependant on them at 35 i through them in the bin. my cholesterol had gone up over time to 6.6. i went on a diet and lost 14 kg. blood pressure came down to normal and cholesterol to 3.9. only trouble was i had to train 2 hours hard per day and eat only water and salad and meat. after hernia op 18 mnths ago. weight started coming back so did cholesterol and bp. now i take lipitor 20mg and micardis for bp. it is well controled . i have lost 5 kgs again back to 75kg and feel fitter than ever, perhaps time to reveiw the meds again . but taking them is easy and keeps you healthy . no side effects with these ones.
also keeping very fit is a must it lowers your stress and is good all rouind health.+ keeps you looking good . i also have 2 uncles on mums side one 70 had hearattack at 45, and again at 50 , swears by his medicine , he is in relative good health for 70. the other 66 was told to iron one shirt per day as his heart sounded like a sick cockatoo, that was 10 years ago. i have told lots of people this story who have since got sick from many things and died . yet he is still here. moral of the story . no one knows. cheers and keep smiling do your best it's all you can do.

**Stav** · 15-08-2006, 07:53 PM

I was on 80mg of lipitor and now am on 20 mg as it made me dizzy and weak.Just remember guys if you have to stop for breath in lawnmowing dont muck around.

I didnt get much advice from my cardio but a general eat well and keep active.I have kept active and eat no junk food since my illness.I have come to realise though that moderate exercise really means at least a 45-60 minute walk for me every day without fail.So I have been out there rain hail or shine pounding the bitumen in the past week. The incidence of getting reblocked in steneted patients is relatively high so 45 minutes a day and rabbit fod should see me and you guys going.

I agree with you gtfpv you dont know when your number is up but what is important is to live life the best we can.

AC/DC · 15-08-2006, 08:36 PM

I spent a fair time and money with the Cardiologist, to find the cause of what is called SVT, , basically a double heartbeat, , where it hits 200beats per minute. I am only 35, fit, slim, dont drink or smoke, , but the wiring in the heart can confuse itself and double up on itself.. Very scarey, but I figured out what the major causes are.

Dehydration, Caffene and Alcohol... So I now pass all these by and have had no probs for over 2 years.

On the Heart Attatck side, My father was a very fit police officer for 30 years, , raced dirtbikes and played golf, never smoked or drank and had a damm heart attatck 4 days after retirement. 3 tubes plumbed here and there and he is now going full speed, nothing stopping him !

Hopefully in the next 10-15 years, we can all get our arteries cleaned out like Drano.

I have been told by the cardiologist to get ready to take Asprin when I hit 50, , and I take blood pressure pills currently to ensure a constant heart rythym.... ( used to take verapmil, but it dropped the blood pressure too much ! )

Dont Smoke !

AC/DC

**Stav** · 15-08-2006, 08:56 PM

Its amazing what you learn about the heart when its you in the pooh!! the heart is regulated by electricity and I believe that coffee wreaks havoc with those rythms .Stress also plays havoc with the hearts electrical impulses..

Leah · 15-08-2006, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by useless

Its amazing what you learn about the heart when its you in the pooh!! ...

Ive learnt alot about hearts and cancer lately. Its funny how much you pay attention to your health when you or someone you know is sick. My dad was one of the healthiest & strongest men i knew. He was never sick whilst I was growing up until one day he passed out in the paddock. He woke up to a horse nibbling at his hair. We found out he had grown up his whole life with a deformed heart and never showed any symptoms at all. He had some mechanical part put in and never had a problem with his heart again. (apart from having to take warfarin & asprin every day for the rest of his life.)

About a year after taking the warfarin for his heart he noticed a birthmark on his leg had changed. He went and got it checked and was told his birthmark had become a type of skincancer. He had it removed with surgery shortly after. After 5 years of the cancer in his leg spreading and getting radiotherapy etc, he finally got the all-clear from Peter Macallum Cancer Institute in December last year. It was one of the best christmas's weve had in a long time as he was finally cancer free.

I woke up on the morning of 20th March 2006 to find dad had had a stroke and he was rushed to hospital (which happened to be my work). They found out he had a major bleed in his brain. We were told he wouldnt make it through surgery. He did make it through, then had another bleed a few hours later, and made it through that surgery too. He fought against all odds to survive. (I will mention at this point, my dad was only 56) Anyways, we found out the cause of all of this drama, was a major brain tumor.

The oncologist told us that the cancer in his leg had spread to his brain, heart and lungs. I was told my dad would not have long to live. He came home about 8 weeks later and was recovering from the stroke really well. I really thought things were looking up. On the 4th July this year, i was woken to find he had another stroke. Again he was rushed back to hospital, but we were told it really was the end. On the 5th July, my dad died. He had just turned 57. The scans showed that the cancer had come back even worse and he now had 3 spots of cancer in his brain.

Its amazing to think all of this came from a tiny birthmark on his leg. I tell you it has really opened my eyes to the danger of skincancer. My sister and I have now booked in to get all spots checked out.

For those of you who are in south east melbourne and who have suspicious spots needing to be checked, there is a new Skin Cancer Clinic opened at the Casey Superclinic in Berwick. This clinic is 100% bulk billing and scans all spots and can also remve anything that looks bad. If you would like any info, let me know...

Paxton · 15-08-2006, 10:23 PM

Leah - I am so Sorry.

I had to watch my Grandfather slowly fade away with Motor Neuron Disease. He was a Carpenter, fit as, and in the space of three years, he had to give up his Golf, give up his driving, and eventually give up his life. He was 75 when he finally passed away, all of ten years ago. He picked that something was wrong when he couldn't lift his hammer as high as he used to be able to.

When I see people talking about stem cell research, I get excited, mainly because my Pop was part of the Motor Neuron Disease Foundation, who are advocates for Stem Cell Research, as it could be a way to 'cure' MND, a disease you wouldn't wish on your worst enemy. All it is, is your immune system eating away at your nerve endings, slowly killing them. It can start in your arms, like his did, but if you get it in the chest first, you are a gonner within about eighteen months.

Stav, how are you at the moment? Can you mow the lawns without passing out yet? ;)

**Stav** · 15-08-2006, 11:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paxton

Leah - I am so Sorry.

I had to watch my Grandfather slowly fade away with Motor Neuron Disease. He was a Carpenter, fit as, and in the space of three years, he had to give up his Golf, give up his driving, and eventually give up his life. He was 75 when he finally passed away, all of ten years ago. He picked that something was wrong when he couldn't lift his hammer as high as he used to be able to.

When I see people talking about stem cell research, I get excited, mainly because my Pop was part of the Motor Neuron Disease Foundation, who are advocates for Stem Cell Research, as it could be a way to 'cure' MND, a disease you wouldn't wish on your worst enemy. All it is, is your immune system eating away at your nerve endings, slowly killing them. It can start in your arms, like his did, but if you get it in the chest first, you are a gonner within about eighteen months.

Stav, how are you at the moment? Can you mow the lawns without passing out yet? ;)

Well I am pretty lucky that I can do the lawns.My chest has felt occasionally funny lately so I am hoping it was just a tablet doing it and reduced dosage. I am probably enjoying my life better than ever ironically.I dont get mad and just stop when things get too much for me.I rest then start again. The money is great but living is better. I have got tosay that I would have not been caught dead for quids when I took the wagon to a 14.7 1/4 mile...

Redrum · 16-08-2006, 09:21 AM

Scary thread but good wake up call!!

FordFan86 · 16-08-2006, 10:52 AM

I had mine checked awhile ago, purely out of boredom (uni holidays).
It was hi for my age (in the 6's I think) but was perfect for an adult. I've *slightly* changed my diet and will go back soon. If it's the same, it's a genetic problem, and if i'm lucky it will hold there perfect for the rest of my life. If it's lower, then that's a + aswell.

gtfpv · 16-08-2006, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FordFan86

I had mine checked awhile ago, purely out of boredom (uni holidays).
It was hi for my age (in the 6's I think) but was perfect for an adult. I've *slightly* changed my diet and will go back soon. If it's the same, it's a genetic problem, and if i'm lucky it will hold there perfect for the rest of my life. If it's lower, then that's a + aswell.

mate anything over 5.5 is over the limit . my highest ever was 6.6 and i'm on medication for it. down to 2.5 and up to 5 is considered normal. 5.5 is considered as needing monitoring.

FordFan86 · 16-08-2006, 08:41 PM

"Hey Fletcher, what's up?"
"Your cholesterol FATTY!"

MO · 16-08-2006, 08:52 PM

To all please look after your selves you never know when the grim reaper is going to deal you your hand.

Live life well and everything in moderation and moderation in everything.

Trust me I know.

**Stav** · 16-08-2006, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gtfpv

mate anything over 5.5 is over the limit . my highest ever was 6.6 and i'm on medication for it. down to 2.5 and up to 5 is considered normal. 5.5 is considered as needing monitoring.

Be warned also...please note..I had the pin ***** cholesterol check then a few days later had my attack and proper blood tests showed my levels to be at 7.8!!!Pin ***** showed 4!!

The pin ***** cholesterol test does not work.If you get tested get full blood test done.How many people dont do this and rely on the other method could have dangerous levels and not even know it.

MO · 16-08-2006, 09:00 PM

Very true useless...very true...the pinprick is only an indicator...it takes a full blood test to confirm.

XD 351 Ute · 16-08-2006, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by useless

Be warned also...please note..I had the pin ***** cholesterol check then a few days later had my attack and proper blood tests showed my levels to be at 7.8!!!Pin ***** showed 4!!

The pin ***** cholesterol test does not work.If you get tested get full blood test done.How many people dont do this and rely on the other method could have dangerous levels and not even know it.

Useless, is this the test they do at the blood bank?
I can't remember, might be for iron.
Either way, I'm going in again next week for pikelets & jam after my next bleed, so will see what I can find out.....

Ed

MO · 16-08-2006, 09:21 PM

In a word no...you have to see your GP and get a full blood test done

The one your after is a GTT or glucose tolerance test it takes about two hours and that test is very conclusive.

RSgerry · 16-08-2006, 09:51 PM

useless...hope you have / are recovering well. It is scary that you are only 37. That makes you a year younger than me, and I couldnt begin to imagine me having a heart attack. After all, it feels like yesterday I was at school. I try to look after myself now. I dont smoke anymore, rarely drink and try to eat better than I have in the past. Your post really struck a chord. Good luck.

**Bluehoon** · 17-08-2006, 08:03 AM

Stav,
Glad to see you are still on the mends.

Awesome info, a very worthy thread in the bar indeed.

Cheers

max · 17-08-2006, 11:25 AM

The crap that is in takeaway and restaurant foods like palm oil, salt, sugar, flavour enhancers and other saturated fats. Honestly the only way to know what you are eating is OK is to make it yourself with natural ingredients, herbs and spices. No packet flavour enhancers, powders, stocks, sauces etc etc. The way they make commercially prepared foods tasty is to cram them with fats, salts and sugars.

gozza · 17-08-2006, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FordFan86

"Hey Fletcher, what's up?"
"Your cholesterol FATTY!"

hehe.....my sister watched that movie everyday for a week when it first came out on VHS

**Stav** · 17-08-2006, 08:36 PM

They reckon trans fatty acids in biscuits are caused by hydrolysing?This is worse for you than saturated fats...
Guys I am cruising ok...thanks bluehoon.Disnt see you at all ford day but came round and saw rob matt and in the distance bluedriver..

The blood test is a full test whe they syringe our veins for blood.
Ill tell ya guys there was a doctor in the hospital who could not tap my vein for 25 miutes and kept going in and out with the needle.I named her draculla...

**Mechan1k** · 17-08-2006, 08:41 PM

Blood tests are fun ... just hope you get a decent nurse who can take blood well.
Lucky for me my viens flow well. Don't even need a tourniquet(sp?) to take my blood.
I get mine tested every 6 months ... as I have to for the rest of life ... it's good to keep an eye on it.

My first blood test was a little scarey as a 12 year old ... especially when the nurse had finished taking the blood and shaking the vials and saying that she could see the little fatty specs in my blood (yes you could see it when looking closely).

Also with the full range Lipid testing ... you will need to fast for the previous 12 hours as well.

xbgs351 · 17-08-2006, 08:45 PM

Last year my Cholesterol had climbed to an uncomfortable level. I got back exercising around 5 to 10 hours a week, started taking fish oil and limited chips to once a week and my cholesterol level dropped back to the low 3's.

Rob · 02-11-2006, 06:34 PM

Sorry about digging up old threads and all, but today I was informed that I am at risk of heart attack, my cholesterol levels are too high for my age (21), and my family has a history of high cholesterol/heart attacks.

Sucks. I have to go on a low cholesterol diet, no pills as yet, but doc said I was borderline. Think I was at about 8.3. Gotta get back into exercising.

Any advice anyone can offer to make it a little easier? Foods to avoid etc? Does that fish oil stuff really help?

Cheers.

MO · 02-11-2006, 10:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BLC

Sorry about digging up old threads and all, but today I was informed that I am at risk of heart attack, my cholesterol levels are too high for my age (21), and my family has a history of high cholesterol/heart attacks.

Sucks. I have to go on a low cholesterol diet, no pills as yet, but doc said I was borderline. Think I was at about 8.3. Gotta get back into exercising.

Any advice anyone can offer to make it a little easier? Foods to avoid etc? Does that fish oil stuff really help?

Cheers.

PM useless he has just gone through it big time and is very informed.

FORD EB 4.0 · 02-11-2006, 10:29 PM

Ways to lower your colesterol are eating fresh fruit and vegetables, lean red meat, chicken, fish 2 or 3 times weekly also low fat dairy products and limit salt intake and excercise.

Pedro · 03-11-2006, 08:23 AM

My advice is for everyone reading this to get a proper cholesterol check, no matter what your age. I'm slim, fit, and eat the right foods, yet when I had mine checked it was near 8. Apparently my liver just doesn't put out the right numbers so I'm on Lipitol 40mg to keep it in check.