20,000 Views for My Heart Under Repair!

Today, June 30th, 2012 - 20,000 views for my blog!!  From Russia to India, the Netherlands to Jordan, United Arab Emirates to Sweden!  We live in an amazing world!

When I started this blog I had two major reasons - 1 - to get through my open heart surgery, 2 - learn as much as I could from my experience & 3 - help others!  Well, how did I do?

I am a year and a half past my surgery.  I have experienced retirement, my older son's wedding, and looking forward next month to my first grandchild & my younger son's wedding in October!  So, I have made it through open heart surgery!

I have learned a lot!  From diet needs, to my medicines, PVC's, exercise, and the mental healing after open heart surgery!

And boy have I spread my wings & helped others, who have in turn helped me!!!  Here are some stats!

More stats coming!

Maintaining a Healthy Heart

One thing good (an there are many other reasons) about blogging is it keeps you focused!  My "heart" blog is a constant reminder to maintain my heart heathy life style!  Here is another article that I found that reinforces what we need to do!

How to Maintain a Healthy Heart

Steps

1. 1
   Cut smoking out of your life because using tobacco will increase your risk of heart damage. Both tobacco and nicotine contain many chemicals that cause harm to your blood vessels and heart, and this results in atherosclerosis. The carbon monoxide in cigarette smoke also interferes with your oxygen, so your heart is pressured into supplying additional oxygen to compensate. The tightening of the blood vessels, partnered by the stress on the heart can both result in a heart attack. The only way to stop this burden on your heart and strive for a healthier heart is to stop smoking.
2. Incorporate an exercise regimen into your daily routine. At least 30 minutes a day will get your blood pumping and dramatically improve your heart's health. Whether it's a 45 minute walk daily or an hour of kickboxing, make sure that you implement an exercise regimen that fits your personal needs. An exercise program that is too strenuous for your abilities may cause strain on your heart and defeat the original purpose of maintaining a healthy heart. Discuss an exercise routine with your doctor, and determine what will be the safest most effective solution for your lifestyle.
3. 3
   Maintain a healthy weight and improve heart condition. If you are overweight, not only is that putting a strain on your heart, but you are risking further conditions like high cholesterol, diabetes, and high blood pressure, thus adding further strain to the heart. Exercise and a healthy diet will help you lose the weight that is putting a strain on your heart.
4. 4
   Eat a healthy diet and that will help ensure a healthy heart. Opt for a diet that avoids saturated and trans fat foods such as red meat, deep-fried fast foods and processed foods. You should also avoid foods that are high in salt and cholesterol. Instead, select from low-fat dairy items, fruits, vegetables and beans. Fish that contain omega-3 fatty acids, such as mackerel and salmon, can reduce risk of a heart problem.
5. 5
   Limit alcohol to a healthy amount. Men are allowed 2 alcoholic beverages a day to protect the heart and women can drink 1. Any more than that will have the opposite effect.
6. 6
   Make a habit of getting regular screenings of your blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Doing so will keep you informed of your heart's health and allow you to take action before anything serious develops.

What do you think?  No matter what article you read, these tips are the most common!  Stay focused!

Foods and Magnesium

Yesterday I mentioned magnesium for PVC's.  My blood test several months ago showed my magnesium levels in the normal range, so why take more?  First, let's look at where we get magnesium in our food.

So, eat right!  Take a look at the article at:  Magnesium Food Summary

Comments on Running & PVC's

Stumbled upon a discussion on running & PVC's.  Some very interesting stories 7 comments - have a look at:

Let's Run.com - Preventricular Contractions, Beta Blockers& Running

Here are some comments I found interesting!

I'm on toprol because of severe coronary disease. When I take a stress test, I have to stay off toprol for a day, so my heart can reach a maximum heart rate. I also had a big problem with PVCs--sometimes one every ten seconds. I looked at a ton of websites and discovered that for many people they are triggered by caffeine. Now I rarely have caffeine, and I have no PVCs. Unless you're getting two PVCs every ten seconds or so, from everything I've read (and since my heart is not in the best of shape and I run every day I tend to pay attention to these things), it's not a "fatal" problem. I can't remember finding a single report that toprol deals with PVCs, and given its general use--for high blood pressure and coronary disease--I don't see why it would. There's no question, however, that the toprol will have a unsalutary effect on your capacity to run long and fast.

I'm on "toprol" also. I was up to 100 mg and now I'sat 25 mg.


I'm 43, and started getting these things out of the blue about 2 years ago. BAD for while. Felt like I was skipping every other beat. Ended up in the emergency room they scared me so bad. Cut out caffiene, cut down my stress, cut out alcohol, nothing worked.

Took me almost 6 months, but found out my problem was that I was deficient in Magnesium. It never showed up in my blood work, but I was reading everything I could find, and saw this thing on a web page about mineral imbalances in athletes, and magnesium's affect on the heart. I started taking a multimineral and those things were completely gone in a weak.

I can feel them coming on every so ofter now, maybe every 9 months or so (I get a "light" feeling in my chest). I start popping the minerals and they go away.

If you are taking magnesium, take potassium as well - it can have the same effect. Better yet, hit the multi and see what happens. Stay hydrated too! 


This is interesting.  My last blood test I think my Magnesium was fine.

My PVC's aren't pounding, but the heartbeat that follows tends to be quite strong. Maybe that's what you are feeling. One thing is for sure, they don't feel right and you never get used to them!

 
My PVC's feel about the same.  Another way is similar to driving a car with bad gas.  When you step in the peddle, the car hesitates.  That is what I feel like when my heart rate gets to 115 to 120!


Take a look at the discussion - very interesting!