Be assured...

[j2k4]

...I am most certainly NOT bragging, here, but I just survived my second 'Widowmaker' over this past weekend.

A little about the Widowmaker:

Widowmaker Heart Attack Explained by Cardiologist ? MyHeart (http://myheart.net/articles/the-widowmaker/)

This time they were nice enough to give me some imagery:

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr214/1backforty8/IMG_4139_zpsmiabtokm.jpg (http://s485.photobucket.com/user/1backforty8/media/IMG_4139_zpsmiabtokm.jpg.html)

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr214/1backforty8/IMG_4140_zpst5nfk92x.jpg (http://s485.photobucket.com/user/1backforty8/media/IMG_4140_zpst5nfk92x.jpg.html)

Anyway, both times I tried to ignore what was going on, in a situation where you don't normally get the chance to ignore anything, cuz you're already dead.

All this to say please, please, please, if you have chest pain, DO NOT IGNORE IT!

You may not get another chance. :wink:

[Echo419]

holy shit man! close call for sure. glad you're ok. a buddy from my gym had a stroke a couple of years ago. poor guy was laid out on the floor at home for a day before I found him.

gotta watch out for that stuff.

[CoopKill]

Yeah, no joke there!

Went through some issues over the summer that ended up in the doc claiming wtf. Better to spend the 2k, than be unable to spend at all.

[donniekak]

Sorry to hear, but glad you are ok. My wife was a cvicu nurse for years, I know all about how devastating that blockage can be. Take care of yourself!

[Uniuno]

My roommate in college came down to my room one night and laid on the floor complaining of leg pain. I told him to "Walk it off, you're only 21, how bad could it be?". Turns out it was a blood clot, if left untreated it could have killed him. I'm so glad he didn't listen to me and had it checked out. He had to finish college on blood thinners and unable to drink alcohol. Still a lot better than not being able finish college, or life, at all.

I'm happy you remain among the living.

[MDoe8]

Holy moly Kev! Sorry I didn't pick up on this via chat somehow. Glad you are still with us! Thoughts and prayers are with you for this not happening again.

[futurevr4man]

Wow. That is crazy. Don't let me girl issues stress you out so much, Kev! ;)

[2fnloud]

Take it easy my friend. Glad to see you are still on the right side of the grass.

[J-Groove]

WOW!! Glad you caught that!

-John

[Ange]

Probably offensive question but since you put it here I'll ask anyways, is it from unhealthy diet/living or just genetiacally prone?

Hope you got your diet in check but your doc probably already told you...

The Link Between Diet and Arterial Health (http://www.todaysdietitian.com/newarchives/090114p32.shtml)

Bottom Line
Healthy arteries are key to preventing heart attack and stroke. Limiting irritation of the arterial lining reduces plaque buildup, keeping arteries open and flexible.
A healthful dietary pattern can have a big impact on reducing inflammation. Following a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy products, poultry, fish, and nuts with limited red meat and foods and beverages high in sugar ensures an intake of several inflammation-fighting nutrients and minimizes plaque-promoting factors such as saturated fat. Other lifestyle changes go hand in hand with diet to keep inflammation in check.

According to Becker, a healthful lifestyle does prevent CVD. “Less than 3% of Americans eat a good diet, exercise regularly, are not overweight, and don’t smoke,” he says. “But these people have a very low risk of heart attack and stroke.” Dietitians can help more people make the lifestyle changes necessary to keep their arteries healthy for a lifetime.

[j2k4]

Thanks, guys. :)

You know, I've had people asking me some questions here and there, and I've had to do a sort of self-examination - I've realized I've been teetering on the edge for long enough that - for example - while mousing, I had been less-than-smooth for some time.

I've always had my pointer set at max-speed, but I attributed my difficulties to age/failing eyesight/encroaching feebleness, but all of a sudden now I'm pretty facile again, and I realized I had gotten in the habit of clicking between heartbeats, cuz I couldn't reliably hold the cursor on-target.

That was a shocking revelation...:huh:

[j2k4]

Probably offensive question but since you put it here I'll ask anyways, is it from unhealthy diet/living or just genetiacally prone?

Hope you got your diet in check but your doc probably already told you...

The Link Between Diet and Arterial Health (http://www.todaysdietitian.com/newarchives/090114p32.shtml)

Not offended at all, Ange. :)

There are tendencies in my family, yes, but I have given vastly inadequate attention to helping my own cause - I quit smoking and lost a chunk of weight after my first deal, back in '02, but I'm a backsliding mofo, and my dietary habits have been absolutely slovenly for the last 6-7 years.

I have a sweet-tooth and a fondness for Chinese food, and I indulged every chance I got.

There's a good chance I'd have had some problems, at some point - but I'm gonna cop to doing it to myself.

Also, re the genetics:

My folks have both had issues; my Mom has had angioplasty, my Dad has had bypass surgery.

They both smoked for most of their lives - quit decades ago - but things cropped up anyway.

My older sister was perhaps a bigger self-abuser than I was - she had bypass surgery about ten years ago, but died recently from cancer.

My younger sister was smart, carries a few more pounds than is advisable (she is working on that, cuz we've all scared the shit out of her), but she's never smoked, never been a drinker, and has the money to get preventive/elective diagnostics done, and she's clean as a whistle.

That's it, in a nutshell. :)

[Ange]

Not offended at all, Ange. :)

There are tendencies in my family, yes, but I have given vastly inadequate attention to helping my own cause - I quit smoking and lost a chunk of weight after my first deal, back in '02, but I'm a backsliding mofo, and my dietary habits have been absolutely slovenly for the last 6-7 years.

I have a sweet-tooth and a fondness for Chinese food, and I indulged every chance I got.

There's a good chance I'd have had some problems, at some point - but I'm gonna cop to doing it to myself.

Also, re the genetics:

My folks have both had issues; my Mom has had angioplasty, my Dad has had bypass surgery.

They both smoked for most of their lives - quit decades ago - but things cropped up anyway.

My older sister was perhaps a bigger self-abuser than I was - she had bypass surgery about ten years ago, but died recently from cancer.

My younger sister was smart, carries a few more pounds than is advisable (she is working on that, cuz we've all scared the shit out of her), but she's never smoked, never been a drinker, and has the money to get preventive/elective diagnostics done, and she's clean as a whistle.

That's it, in a nutshell. :)
Sorry forgot to check back. Good to see you realized there is a problem you can fix. A Lifestyle change would do good.

Some advice that you probably know already. Get the good fatty acids in. Fish oil capsuls every day will do good for you and your arteries in the long run, or just eating fatty fish. Rather eat regularly, but healthy. If you're hungry, rather stuff yourself with healthy foods and not the Foods with alot of saturated fats. Learning to count calories and what macro does what can help you keep your intake down, eating the right things, maintaining weight or get in a defecit.

I get a bowl of oatmeal with protein isolate shake along with my fishoil and multivit/mineral pills every morning. This keeps me full for four hours untill my next meal. And it's healthy. Just a Little bit of advice I can give now as I'm in a rush sorry.

[DocWalt]

I'm glad you're good now Kev, but you've gotta cut the crap food :) Gotta get you out in the woods to watch some brap brap too :p

[j2k4]

Cauliflower + cream-o-wheat = crap food? :sad:

I can't behave any better than that, Doc...:p

[DocWalt]

cream of wheat is disgusting, haha

[j2k4]

cream of wheat is disgusting, haha

I'm learning to love it - if you think that ain't tough...:lo5l:

[Echo419]

cream of wheat is disgusting, haha
I'm with this guy

[j2k4]

Well, of course you are.

I'm gonna look into grits, see if they'll suit my diet - I love 'em, but w/butter, which is a no-no. :rolleyes:

[Echo419]

Well, of course you are.

I'm gonna look into grits, see if they'll suit my diet - I love 'em, but w/butter, which is a no-no. :rolleyes:

chances are if it's good with butter it will suck without it. ex: popcorn and crabs/lobster.

[j2k4]

Mature taste buds help, but yeah, I know exactly what you mean.

I am a former world-class seafood eater, Baltimore/Chesapeake Bay specie. :wink:

[stealthee]

Cauliflower is disgusting.

[DocWalt]

Cauliflower is disgusting.

Miles better than cream of wheat.

[j2k4]

Cauliflower is disgusting.

Oh, c'mon...:p