So that's what a heart attack feels like?

Yeah, glad to hear you're still with us!

As for "so that's what a heart attack feels like," I had a narrow band of pain that went all the way across the top of my chest that woke me up in the middle of the night. I got up out of bed and walked around the house for a bit and it went away so I tried ignoring it and went back to bed. But it woke me up again as the sun was coming up. I called 911 and they came and took me to the hospital. They stuck that little sensor on my finger to measure the oxygen level and I was sitting at 88%; they want high 90's or even 100.

They went to put a stent in and the doc said, "I can't fix this. We'll need to do a bypass." Ended up doing a quadruple bypass. Afterwards, my oxygen level was at 99% so we all felt confident. That was back in July, 2014 and everything's been fine ever since. Knock on wood! I now take medicine for afib but that's it.

And yeah, don't ignore what your body is telling you. It's smarter than you think.

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Originally Posted by JaxSon

They went to put a stent in and the doc said, "I can't fix this. We'll need to do a bypass." Ended up doing a quadruple bypass. Afterwards, my oxygen level was at 99% so we all felt confident. That was back in July, 2014 and everything's been fine ever since. Knock on wood! I now take medicine for afib but that's it.

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Wow. Really glad to hear you're doing well since the operation. Did it make you change anything about your life?

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Originally Posted by Gazzak

Did it make you change anything about your life?

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I'm not a smoker so that's not applicable. I had a good 2 hour discussion with a dietician specialist and she said that this didn't happen over night. It happens over a period of 20-30 years of bad eating. She says to throw away your salt shaker; it's alright to cook with salt and other spices but don't add anything once the food reaches the dinner table. I'm supposed to limit myself to 2 egg yolks per week; realistically, it's closer to 6. I'm supposed to stay away from ice cream and milk shakes as they are loaded with sugar and fat. Supposed to stay away from cheeses too. She says BBQ meat is OK but it's the side dishes like potato salad and macaroni salad that causes the problems.

So, the short answer is no, I haven't changed hardly anything. I have cut down on the salt intake but that's about it. I still love bacon and eggs and coffee in the mornings. I still eat Mexican food and pizza (loaded with cheese and fat) and ice cream. I just figure that since I'm 59, going on 60, that I don't have a whole lot more time on this planet and I'm going to enjoy it as much as I can.

How about you? Any changes in your life?

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Originally Posted by JaxSon

I just figure that since I'm 59, going on 60, that I don't have a whole lot more time on this planet and I'm going to enjoy it as much as I can.
How about you? Any changes in your life?

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Well I admire your stance, good on you, as they say what's the point of living if you can't live?

For me? Yes, my diet is going to improve considerably, I'm still learning exactly what I need to improve on apart from the obvious. I also intend to gradually up my exercise routine and learn to swim long distances which I've always meant to do but never have.

OK that's a nasty scare. It does seem to be lately those who try to be fit and do mostly the right things get the wrong reward.

As a swimming teacher in a previous life, I did giggle at your wanting to learn to swim long distances... I assume you can swim say 50 metres?
There is no trick to swimming long distances other than a steady rhythm which you can increase as your stamina increases. The biggest problem is the boredom - 72 lengths is a mile of a 25 metre pool should take you an hour in the beginning, but you need to give your brain something to do, there is no nice view to enjoy unless you like looking at grouting! If you get down to 72 lengths in 40 minutes join a swimming club and get some coaching.

Sorry I'm late. Four months ago, I had a massive heart attack, and was dead for 17 minutes, before they could get a "shockable rythym" I lost a week in the hospital (I don't remember any of it), and my wife said that when I came out of the come, I had no idea who she was. She also said that was the hardest she ever cried in her life. Fortunately, when they put in the second stent after five days, I regained most of my memory, and faculties.

I eat less now. At first, I had NO appetite, and I was down 30 pounds. I have gained about half of that back.

Glad yo are still with us, Garry!

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Originally Posted by Gazzak

Well I admire your stance, good on you, as they say what's the point of living if you can't live?

For me? Yes, my diet is going to improve considerably, I'm still learning exactly what I need to improve on apart from the obvious. I also intend to gradually up my exercise routine and learn to swim long distances which I've always meant to do but never have.

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The problem with an "improved diet" is we are going through one of those periods where some new studies contradict much of what has been conventional wisdom. So, fat in your diet may not be so bad, dietary cholesterol may be completely unrelated to the level of cholesterol in your blood, eggs are back on the menu, etc. About the only constants regard the negative effects of alcohol consumption, sugar intake, and smoking.

And before anyone wants to talk about what their doctor or dietician suggests, keep in mind that most of their recommendations date back to when they were in training, and they are probably skeptical about current research. So, I eat whatever I want, but I try to keep things balanced, and not overdo any particular foods.

By the way Gazzak; happy you didn't die and stuff.

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Originally Posted by slgrieb

The problem with an "improved diet" is we are going through one of those periods where some new studies contradict much of what has been conventional wisdom. So, fat in your diet may not be so bad, dietary cholesterol may be completely unrelated to the level of cholesterol in your blood, eggs are back on the menu, etc. About the only constants regard the negative effects of alcohol consumption, sugar intake, and smoking.

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From what I've read the things to keep well clear from are trans fats, (mostly in takeaway and fast food), salt added to meals and cheese. Everything else in moderation and mixed with lots of the good stuff, (such as oily fish and vegetables), is the way to go. IE common sense approach.
Smoking is a big no no but as long as you drink well within your allowances and don't binge drink then alcohol seems to be OK.

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Originally Posted by Tekboy

Sorry I'm late. Four months ago, I had a massive heart attack, and was dead for 17 minutes, before they could get a "shockable rythym" I lost a week in the hospital (I don't remember any of it), and my wife said that when I came out of the come, I had no idea who she was. She also said that was the hardest she ever cried in her life. Fortunately, when they put in the second stent after five days, I regained most of my memory, and faculties.

I eat less now. At first, I had NO appetite, and I was down 30 pounds. I have gained about half of that back.

Glad yo are still with us, Garry!

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Likewise!

I went for a walk a few days back and went past where the first chest pain happened. The gravity of what could have been caught me off guard and I almost cried, which was almost as shocking! The mental side of having a heart attack is only just sinking in, I can see why people are off work for so long afterwards.

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Originally Posted by Gazzak

From what I've read the things to keep well clear from are trans fats, (mostly in takeaway and fast food), salt added to meals and cheese. Everything else in moderation and mixed with lots of the good stuff, (such as oily fish and vegetables), is the way to go. IE common sense approach.
Smoking is a big no no but as long as you drink well within your allowances and don't binge drink then alcohol seems to be OK.

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Yes, moderation in everything and all you do. Don't go overboard on ANYthing!