You may recall that I had a little trip to the ER recently. Well, after my week off I had a visit with my primary care doctor to follow up.
I was cleared to go back to work and I really have not had any issues. She ordered two tests for me – an angiogram and a stress test. Those will happen next week.
While at the hospital they ran the enzyme tests to see if I had a heart attack, but they were negative. However, the baby aspirin and nitro that the EMS crew gave me may have stopped something according to doctors.
My angiogram was scheduled on a day that I was supposed to speak in front of a class of EEG students. When I called the director to see if we could reschedule the talk, I explained what happened.
Her background is in cardiology. She told me that based on what happened, it could be something ischemic. If you are unfamiliar with that:
Ischemic heart disease (IHD), also known as coronary artery disease (CAD) or coronary heart disease (CHD), is a condition where the heart muscle doesn’t receive enough blood and oxygen. This typically happens due to plaque buildup (atherosclerosis) in the coronary arteries, which narrows them and restricts blood flow to the heart.
Dizziness and sweating are symptoms. I experienced both before going to the ER. Lightheadedness is also a symptom and I get that on occasion. So it makes sense.
From all I have read on an angiogram, if there is any type of blockage they will place a stent in during the same procedure. I have a feeling this may happen.
There is some cardiac history in my family. My maternal grandfather died of a heart attack and my father has a stent. During that procedure we found out he had actually had a couple small heart attacks and he didn’t even know he had them.
Either way, my stress test will happen a couple days after the angiogram. One way or another, they should be able to tell if there is an issue with my ticker.
To say that the incident was a wake up call is an understatement. The day after, I rejoined Weight Watchers. Something I should have done a while ago. I’m two weeks in and down 11 pounds. I really hope to stay focused and have better success this time around.
I will keep you posted.
Various Ramblings of a Nostalgic Italian 
A few years ago I was feeling off and went to my docs who sent me for a stress test than an angiogram. I ended up with 6 stents but no heart attack but I had 100% blockage in one artery, 80% in the second and 70% in my third. I was close to open heart. No family history, non smoker so it can sneak up on you in other ways. I stay active ( I walk 5-7 Km’s at least 5 days a week) and take my Meds…
Good luck and all the best…
deKe
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wow, that’s a bit scary! My dad had a heart attack, at work in the factory back in the early-’90s (so he would’ve been 55 ish, a shade younger than I am now!), got hauled off in an ambulance… but returned to work the next day! I only heard about it a year or two later. But he did die of a massive heart attack 4 years back now. I used to walk like you do, but now I’m more sedentary here, try for the 6000 steps a day but often fall short . I was never a smoker but I could eat healthier – I know too much processed lunch meats, hot dogs and stuff. I guess all these stories are good wake up calls
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Sorry to hear that about your Dad. I forgot to mention I had no chest pain just feeling sluggish even after I retired so I figured that I should get checked out and it’s good I did as my cardiologist also said I was getting to close to the widow maker territory.
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wow. Rather scary. Well thank God you felt motivated to go get it checked out
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ww will help no matter what so a win either way
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Have they checked your thyroid? I have recently been diagnosed with hypothyroid and have learned that it can cause many symptoms including dizziness and sweating. Untreated it can also lead to heart problems.
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They have not. I’m guessing that will be next if the heart stuff looks ok.
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Best wishes, Keith. 🙏🏼
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congrats on taking action and losing weight. Let’s hope it was a one-off occurrence though
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Great job, Keith!
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A small incident can wake us up take care my friend
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Good luck with your medical tests and congratulations on taking action!
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Best of luck to you, Keith, and I hope everything will be okay!
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It’s been a few weeks since you posted this and I am working my way through posts I missed while busy over the summer. I wish you luck with the weight loss, Keith. I know how hard it is to keep it off once you get to a spot where you are happy. Hopefully the tests have given you more answers.
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