Here we go.  Six years and nine months after open heart surgery.  During my last annual check up, I discussed my exercise routine and told my doctor that hills & stairs seem to be more of an issue.  So,

Stress Echocardiography

A stress echocardiography, also called an echocardiography stress test or stress echo, is a procedure that determines how well your heart and blood vessels are working.

During a stress echocardiography, you’ll exercise on a treadmill or stationary bike while your doctor monitors your blood pressure and heart rhythm. When your heart rate reaches peak levels, your doctor will take ultrasound images of your heart to determine whether your heart muscles are getting enough blood and oxygen while you exercise.

Your doctor may order a stress echocardiography test if you have chest pain that they think is due to coronary artery disease or a myocardial infarction, which is a heart attack. This test also determines how much exercise you can safely tolerate if you’re in cardiac rehabilitation. The test can also tell your doctor how well treatments such as bypass grafting, angioplasty, and anti-anginal or antiarrhythmic medications are working.

What does this mean?  Stay tuned!

Yearly Cadio Appointment - 2017

OK, it has been a little over 6 1/2 years since my open-heart surgery! And, here is the latest:

1 - Overall, at age 64, I'm feeling pretty good.  I seem to be able to do what a grand pa should do!

2 - My visit to the cardiologist was good, liked the blood work, blood pressure good, and in pretty good shape at 5'9" and 183 pounds (trying to get down to 175!)

3 - Told the doctor, the only concern I had was walking up hills or a lot of steps.  So, the doctor suggested a Echo Stress Test, which is:

How does Stress Echo work? Patients with coronary artery blockages may have minimal or no symptoms during rest. However, symptoms and signs of heart disease may be unmasked by exposing the heart to the stress of exercise. During exercise, healthy coronary arteries dilate (develop a more open channel) than an artery with a blockage. This unequal dilation causes more blood to be delivered to heart muscle supplied by the normal artery. In contrast, narrowed arteries end up supplying reduced flow to it's area of distribution. This reduced flow causes the involved muscle to "starve" during exercise. The "starvation" may produce symptoms (like chest discomfort or inappropriate shortness of breath), EKG abnormalities and reduced movement of the heart muscle. The latter can be recognized by examining the movement of the walls of the left ventricle (the major pumping chamber of the heart) by Echocardiography.

This will be interesting.  After 6 1/2 years, this should let me know how I am doing.  So, as any test, the name itself, "Echo Stress Test" is STRESS!  I still think that any test you take should NOT have the word STESS in it!

More to come!

It's Been Awhile!

It's Been Awhile!

Amazing how you get started on something, get side tracked, and,... you know.

It has been 6 1/2 years since my open heart surgery!  And, in that time:

Both of my sons were married!

My wife & I have 3 grandchildren & another due in September!

I had my 40th & 45th high school reunion.

My wife & I celebrated our 40th wedding anniversary!

I had a "hole-in-one"!

And, my Green Bay Packers won a Super Bowl!

Yes, I would have missed this!!  ALL THIS!!

So, FIRST!  If you do not feel well, in anyway, SEE YOUR DOCTOR!

Warning signs of heart issues?

1. Chest Discomfort. It’s the most common sign of heart danger. If you have a blocked artery or are having a heart attack, you may feel pain, tightness, or pressure in your chest. “Everyone has a different word for that feeling,” Chambers says. “Some people say it’s like an elephant is sitting on them. Other people say it’s like a pinching or burning.”

2. Nausea, Indigestion, Heartburn, or Stomach Pain. Some people have these symptoms during a heart attack. They may even vomit, Chambers says. Women are more likely to report this type of symptom than men are. Of course, you can have an upset stomach for many reasons that have nothing to do with your heart. It could just be something you ate, after all. But you need to be aware that it can also happen during a heart attack.

3. Pain that Spreads to the Arm. Another classic heart attack symptom is pain that radiates down the left side of the body. “It almost always starts from the chest and moves outward,” Chambers says. “But I have had some patients who have mainly arm pain that turned out to be heart attacks.”

4. You Feel Dizzy or Lightheaded. A lot of things can make you lose your balance or feel faint for a moment. Maybe you didn’t have enough to eat or drink, or you stood up too fast. But if you suddenly feel unsteady and you also have chest discomfort or shortness of breath, call a doctor right away.

5. Throat or Jaw Pain. By itself, throat or jaw pain probably isn’t heart related. More likely, it’s caused by a muscular issue, a cold, or a sinus problem.

So, take control of your health!  And, see your doctors regularly, especially after age 50!