Ben's Friends - A Great Support Group Idea!

One of the goals of my blog was to help others that were going through Open Heart Surgery.  In less then one year I have had the chance to communicate with complete strangers as they go through heart issues or support others that had open heart surgery.  Today I stumbled on this support group:

Ben's Friends located at www.bensfriends.org

This support group was started by Ben who had a stroke caused by AVM.  Originally, Ben started the website to support the rare disease of AVM (Arteriovenous Malformation) a brain disorder.  And the site grew to help people that suffer from many rare diseases.

My disease is very common & there are many support groups in many communities.  But, some diseases are very rare & support is difficult.  As I have discussed in my blog, my "zipper club" buddies (like Engleman & Shuman) have been an awesome support group. 

So, if you know someone that may suffer from a rare disease & needs support have a look at the website: Ben's Friends at www.bensfriends.org!

Blog Stats

A great feature of this blos is the ability to look at statistics pertaining to you blog.  Here are some interesting ones:

1 - Page Views by Country - of course the USA is #1, but I had 164 from the Philippines(thanks Erliza, that's my son's new wife - you are great!), 60 views from Canada, 57 from Germany, 53 from Singapore & others!  Even 13 from Croatia!

2 - Page views by Browser - Internet Explorer is first, followed by Firefox, Safari, Chrome, etc.

3 - And how about operating systems - Windows had 64% & Mac 33%, followed by iPhone, iPad, Android, & other!

Click on the graphic below to get a few of the statistics page.  As an ex-math teacher I was "loving it!"

More on Diet and Cholesterol

One of my favorite web sites has been WebMd/  I am on their email list & they send out good ideas each week.  This article was great - look at the Lowering Cholesterol Slideshow Slide Show (click here).

1 - Discusses good & bad cholesterol - HDL & LDL
2 - Portion Control
3 - Fruits & Vegetables
4 - Fish
5 - Grains - Oatmeal!
6 - Nuts!
7 - Unsaturated Fats - Olive Oil
8 - More beans - fewer potatoes
9 - Exercise
10 - Walk
11 - Eating Out
12 - Read Labels
13 - STRESS!!!!
14 - Weight Control

Cardio Workouts Continue

The workouts are progressing & the PVC's seem to be happening at around 100-105 heart rate.  Today walked for 54 minutes & the monitor seemed to indicate a series of PVC's at around 103.  The PVC's happened on a steep uphill climb about midway through the walk.  This seems to be consistent  with my summer routine.  I am continuing to take my meds in the same routine - Imdur when I get up around 6-6:15 AM, eat my oatmeal around 6:45, rest of meds at 7 AM & workout about 30 minutes later.  Here are my present meds:

Medicines Old – Before Open Heart Surgery

Aspirin EC Tab                      81 mg                        1 per day                       AM

Lipitor(Atorvastatin)             40 mg                        1 per day                        PM

Singulair(Montelukast)          10 mg                        1per day                        AM

Aciphex(Rabeprazole)           20 mg                        1 per day                       AM

Medicines New – After Open Heart Surger

Amlodipine                               5 mg                        1 per day                        AM

Plavix(Clipidorel Bisulfate)    75 mg                        1 per day                        AM

Metoprolol(Lopressor, Toprol)50 mg                        1 per day                        AM

Isosorbide (Imdur or Isotrate)  30 mg                        1 per day                        AM

 

I seem to be handling meds well.  I would love to see what I felt like without the meds that lower my blood pressure - Metoprolol & Amlodipine, and also get off the Imdur.  I will contine to be a good patient & take my meds & see what September looks like when I have all my tests.  Here is my September Schedule:

September 6 - Blood Work

September 6 - Pick up Heart Monitor

September 7 - Return Heart Monitor

September 7 - Stress Test

September 21 - Meet with Cardio Specialist for Electrical Issues - Dr. Worley

More Electricity Research for Heart

Electrophysiological Studies 

Found this article from The Stanford Hospital. It does a nice job of discussing my PVC issues are providing basic information about the electrical issues that may develop in the heart.  Here is a section that discusses PVC's:

One of the most common heart dysrhythmias/arrhythmias is premature ventricular beats, or PVCs. PVCs are just what they sound like: the ventricles beat sooner than they should.

This means that the ventricle is contracting and pumping out blood before the atrium above it has completely pumped its blood volume into the ventricle. Most of the time, PVCs are harmless.

In fact, almost everyone has them at one time or another. However, if PVCs occur too frequently (more than several times per minute), the heart is unable to pump an adequate volume of blood to the body, which can cause symptoms such as weakness, fatigue, palpitations, or low blood pressure.

First, it is a very common issue.  And the fact that my ventricles are beating sooner then they should, is still my biggest problem in my recovery from open heart surgery.   My biggest issue was during rehab I would have runs of PVC's - 3-4 in a row & they would shut me down at rehab.  The "nice" PVC's that happen once in awhile, or every other beat, "Bigeminy" or every third beat, Trigeminy" are usually not an issue.

 The web site discussing "Bigeminy" also had a great paragraph on causes:

All of us at one time or another experience occasional premature heartbeats. In isolation, these are not usually reason for concern. It is useful, however, to have an understanding of what can precipitate premature heartbeats, including bigeminal heart rhythms. Increasing age, tension, anxiety, overeating, exercise, and stimulants such as caffeine, tobacco, alcohol, and over-the-counter decongestants are all associated with greater frequency of premature heartbeats. Medical conditions may include an overactive thyroid and/or abnormal electrolytes, such as low potassium and magnesium levels. Even prescription medications, like diuretics, can deplete potassium and magnesium levels in the normal course of treatment for high blood pressure and cause increased numbers of premature beats.

  Let's look at the the list above & discuss:

Increasing Age - I hope to continue to do this!  Tension - retirement SHOULD help!  Anxiety - see Tension.  Overeating - I am losing weight!  Exercise - this is what brings on my PVC's, BUT I NEED TO EXERCISE!  Caffeine -I stopped coffee & chocolate! Tobacco - never smoked!  Alcohol - average one beer a month!  Over-the-counter decongestants - rarely sick!  Thyroid - I think it's good.  Potassium & Magnesium - blood tests have been OK.  High blood pressue - NEVER had it!

So, the experiment continues!  Ideas are welcomed!