Life after heart attack

[HDGoose]

Doctor said I can drive, just no distances yet. So I'm staying off the bike for now. Doctor also said to limit sodium to 2000MG daily. Some days are easy, with home cooked meals with less than 500MG for the entire meal. Eating out, well, I've found some places to eat okay.

Have first follow up appointments next week with primary care and cardiac doctors. Have lots of questions for them.

With my research, I now that there is politics in food and health markets. Just trying to remain rational and logical and still live a life. 

[Tom]

You'll adjust to a different lifestyle.  The good news is that eventually you'll be able to ride all over.  I have a cousin that had a triple by-pass.  Took a while to adjust his eating habits.  He rides all over now.  He keeps a bike in Chula Vista and takes annual 3 mo. summer trips.  All his kids are raised.  "Me and Mama's time". 

[PeteS]

Diet? Simple. If it tastes good, spit it out.

Seriously, everything in moderation coupled with a sensible exercise program and you will be fine.

Pete

[Tom]

   Old Easyrider mag. diet.  Wipe your butt with it first.  Then see if you want to eat it.  Should low consumption rates. 

[HDGoose]

Once I started looking into sodium levels, I was shocked. Not at the pre-cooked packaged foods, because I expected that. But at sodium levels in other foods, like scallops and shrimp. Guess I may used the old testament food rules.

[Cool Runnings]

Thirty years ago, the U.S. government tried to prevent the publication of important life-saving findings of the famous Framingham Study. This pioneering medical research study had followed thousands of people for 25 years and found that those who consumed one or two drinks of beer, wine or spirits (liquor) per day had significantly less heart disease and lived longer than did those who abstained.

Now "‘the science supporting the protective role of alcohol is indisputable; no one questions it any more,' says Dr. Curtis Ellison, professor of medicine and public health at Boston University School of Medicine. The initial doubts have been shot down. In fact, two drinks per day [are proven to be] more effective at preventing heart attacks than lowering your total cholesterol by 30 points or reducing your systolic blood pressure by 20 mm Hg."

Dr. Rick Morris has written that drinking one or two glasses of alcohol per day


"1. Raises the good cholesterol (HDL) even better then the statin drugs (such as Lipitor and Navicor) or running a few miles a day

2. Makes the blood move more freely, preventing clots which can lead to heart attacks and strokes

3. Probably prevents Alzheimer's Disease by preventing "ministrokes" (TIA's) which occur as we age

4. Decreases the chance of getting type II diabetes and probably helps if you already have the disease by increasing the sensitivity of insulin."

http://www.alcoholproblemsandsolutions.org/InTheNews/MedicalReports/Longevity/20071025193822.html

[Cool Runnings]

Saunas protect middle-aged men against heart attacks

The Finns describe them as the ‘poor man’s pharmacy’ and now researchers have proved that saunas are indeed beneficial to health.



Scientists have found that the dry heat of a sauna does more than work up a sweat, it can actually prolong life, cutting the risk of a heart attack for middle-aged men by up to 63 per cent.

However those who had used saunas regularly seem to have been protected from heart problems.

The risk of sudden cardiac death was found to be 22 per cent lower for men who had two to three sauna sessions per week and 63 per cent lower for those visiting a sauna four to seven times a week.

A similar pattern was seen for coronary heart disease, with two to three sessions reducing the risk of death by 23 per cent and four to seven sessions by 48 per cent.



http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/science/science-news/11430239/Saunas-protect-middle-aged-men-against-heart-attacks.html

[lucydad]

HD,

You will get there.  Salt is the enemy, so is sugar.  Moderate red wine is good for heart health and morale.  Portion control, daily exercise (stretch and cardio and strength) are crucial. 

Meditation has helped me immensely.  It is a learned practice however and a discipline. 

A wee dram of fine Single Malt ain't a bad thing either, on occasion.

Off for morning poodle walk.  I walk about 5 miles a day, very brisk.

[HDGoose]

Cool Runnings -  thanks.

[davedel44]

Modified diet, some good exercise, stress reduction  routines.  You'll be back in shape in no time.  Heart disease is highly treatable no longer the dibilitating illness it was years ago. 

Simple changes can have major benefits.  Hang in there you'll be riding before you know it.

I know several riders that have had double, triple, or even quadruple bypasses who still ride and make the rally circuit regularly.

Looking back this will seem like a minor bump in the road.  Stay positive and work on getting well.

Best of luck and God Bless.

Dave
Galveston

[Fuzzy]

The most important thing is don't believe anything. There are more articles on heart disease about various studies that show new or contradictory information than any other malady. Until there are no more studies we won't know what are the tricks to avoiding heart disease. They know how to fix it, but not how to prevent it.

Moderation and balance is my theory. A little of almost anything you want to eat, just a little. But it is probably best to lean on lots of fruits and vegetables, like Mom said. Plenty of exercise, even if is fairly easy, like walking or lap swimming. Stress reduction is a good idea, like yoga, tai chi, meditation or a motorcycle ride. Stuff that makes you happy. Just don't get obsessive, it's stressful.

You'll live to 103

[vstevens]

Thirty years ago, the U.S. government tried to prevent the publication of important life-saving findings of the famous Framingham Study. This pioneering medical research study had followed thousands of people for 25 years and found that those who consumed one or two drinks of beer, wine or spirits (liquor) per day had significantly less heart disease and lived longer than did those who abstained.

Now "�the science supporting the protective role of alcohol is indisputable; no one questions it any more,' says Dr. Curtis Ellison, professor of medicine and public health at Boston University School of Medicine. The initial doubts have been shot down. In fact, two drinks per day [are proven to be] more effective at preventing heart attacks than lowering your total cholesterol by 30 points or reducing your systolic blood pressure by 20 mm Hg."

Dr. Rick Morris has written that drinking one or two glasses of alcohol per day


"1. Raises the good cholesterol (HDL) even better then the statin drugs (such as Lipitor and Navicor) or running a few miles a day

2. Makes the blood move more freely, preventing clots which can lead to heart attacks and strokes

3. Probably prevents Alzheimer's Disease by preventing "ministrokes" (TIA's) which occur as we age

4. Decreases the chance of getting type II diabetes and probably helps if you already have the disease by increasing the sensitivity of insulin."

http://www.alcoholproblemsandsolutions.org/InTheNews/MedicalReports/Longevity/20071025193822.html

Man, I hope this is right!   

[oldbike54]

 Baked sweet potatoes with plain yogurt for topping , oats , fish , green veggies , a beer every now and then , and most importantly , motorcycles  and an occasional romp with mama 

  Dusty

[Penderic]

Must be true.





  Maybe not.

[Tom]

Gary, thinking about change is a good start.     Check your family history, both sides to give a better perspective.  The genetic/dna past has a bearing for your longevity.  (disclaimer, if you've done this.  Never mind.)  Split the difference in ages for your folks and you'll get a general longevity age for yourself.  Anything you can do to get to it and beyond is a bonus.

As mentioned before, stress reduction is a big factor in longevity and lowering your risk of more heart problems.  Fortunately, you have big tool in the fight against it.  Just pick relaxing country rides. 

[Lannis]

The most important thing is don't believe anything.

There are more articles on heart disease about various studies that show new or contradictory information than any other malady. Until there are no more studies we won't know what are the tricks to avoiding heart disease. They know how to fix it, but not how to prevent it.

I don't believe that at all.

Moderation and balance is my theory. A little of almost anything you want to eat, just a little.

I find that hard to believe.

But it is probably best to lean on lots of fruits and vegetables, like Mom said. Plenty of exercise, even if is fairly easy, like walking or lap swimming. Stress reduction is a good idea, like yoga, tai chi, meditation or a motorcycle ride. Stuff that makes you happy. Just don't get obsessive, it's stressful.

Why would I believe that?

You'll live to 103

That's not true.

You can't believe anything these days.

Lannis

[Tom]

       

[Arizona Wayne]

Holistic Dr.s say not enough iodized salt causes all kinds of problems.  Maybe right now your Dr. says watch the low salt intake is a temporary fix until your body heals itself after the operation.   There is so much confusion now on what is good/bad for you I don't know what to believe.  Your body makes cholesterol for God's sake so if you take a statin to reduce it your body makes up the difference.  I've already gone thru that. Some Dr.s now say there is no proof cholesterol and heart attack have any connection at all.  That medical school taught a bunch of lies to upcoming Dr.s.   

[Tom]

Have to agree with you. :1:  Moderation is the watch word.

[Sasquatch Jim]

Have to agree with you. :1:  Moderation is the watch word.

Does that mean moderators help us live longer?

[Gliderjohn]

A former Guzzi guy I know had a major heart attack some years back when he was in his early 60s. A year or so later he earned his Iron Butt award on a Suzuki Bergman. Keep up the recovery efforts, may make you a new man.
GliderJohn

[Cool Runnings]

Holistic Dr.s say not enough iodized salt causes all kinds of problems.  Maybe right now your Dr. says watch the low salt intake is a temporary fix until your body heals itself after the operation.   There is so much confusion now on what is good/bad for you I don't know what to believe.  Your body makes cholesterol for God's sake so if you take a statin to reduce it your body makes up the difference.  I've already gone thru that. Some Dr.s now say there is no proof cholesterol and heart attack have any connection at all.  That medical school taught a bunch of lies to upcoming Dr.s.   

Know someone who had a quadruple bypass surgery and five stents a few years ago, late fifties....... Diet is pizza, chips and bratwurst. Starts drinking beer at 10:00 am, drinks all day and then goes to screwdrivers in the evening (7 day's a week). Not overweight and works construction. We can't figure out how he's still alive. Doc took him off blood thinners a few months ago, blood work came out fine! 

[Tom]

Does that mean moderators help us live longer?

Uhhhh.....yeah.  They lower the stress level by being an acid blocker.

[alanp]

Thirty years ago, the U.S. government tried to prevent the publication of important life-saving findings of the famous Framingham Study. This pioneering medical research study had followed thousands of people for 25 years and found that those who consumed one or two drinks of beer, wine or spirits (liquor) per day had significantly less heart disease and lived longer than did those who abstained.

Now "�the science supporting the protective role of alcohol is indisputable; no one questions it any more,' says Dr. Curtis Ellison, professor of medicine and public health at Boston University School of Medicine. The initial doubts have been shot down. In fact, two drinks per day [are proven to be] more effective at preventing heart attacks than lowering your total cholesterol by 30 points or reducing your systolic blood pressure by 20 mm Hg."

Dr. Rick Morris has written that drinking one or two glasses of alcohol per day


"1. Raises the good cholesterol (HDL) even better then the statin drugs (such as Lipitor and Navicor) or running a few miles a day

2. Makes the blood move more freely, preventing clots which can lead to heart attacks and strokes

3. Probably prevents Alzheimer's Disease by preventing "ministrokes" (TIA's) which occur as we age

4. Decreases the chance of getting type II diabetes and probably helps if you already have the disease by increasing the sensitivity of insulin."

http://www.alcoholproblemsandsolutions.org/InTheNews/MedicalReports/Longevity/20071025193822.html

Woohoo, I'm imortal!

But seriously, sorry to hear about this Goose! Hang in there,  wishing you all the best.  I know you can bounce back.

[twowings]

Walk.  Every day. Twice a day if you can. Walk the dog. Walk with the significant other. Start small and work up to a mile or more.

Eat lots of fresh fruit and vegetables. 

Moderate the liquor and other recreational substances.

If you can't ride your bike, work on it.  Little things.

Learn TM and/or take a yoga class.

Don't sweat the large OR small stuff.

Go to bed the same time every night and get up at the same time as much as possible.

Find someone worse off than you and do what you can to help them.

Every hour, stop what you are doing and take ten deep, slow breaths blowing them out through pursed lips.

Smile more.

[Fuzzy]

I don't believe that at all.
I find that hard to believe.
Why would I believe that?

Damn, try to be helpful.
Ya got me, Lannis, right in the heart

[balvenie]

twowings reply #24
"smile more"
You got me there mate

[Lannis]

I don't believe that at all.
I find that hard to believe.
Why would I believe that?

Damn, try to be helpful.
Ya got me, Lannis, right in the heart

You know the rules.

No Good Deed Goes Unpunished around here ... !   

Lannis