64-Slice CT technology revolutionizes heart attack prevention

When I had my heart issues I needed a heart catheterization.  Then open heart surgery.  The after heart surgery, another heart cath!  The heart catheterization was not too bad, but it is invasive.  How abou a new procedure?  Check out the article at -
64-Slice CT technology revolutionizes heart attack prevention
Here is a part of the article:

CT Angiography vs Cardiac Catheterization:

Until now, Cardiac Catheterization has been the most important tool for evaluating the arteries of the heart. But, Cardiac Catheterization is an invasive procedure that requires an incision in the groin, inserting a catheter into an artery in the leg and advancing the catheter under X-ray guidance to the heart.  Contrast dye is then injected directly into the arteries on the surface of the heart and X-rays are taken that show whether any of the vessels are narrowed.

Cardiac CT Angiography requires only a small IV in vein of the arm. A small amount of dye is injected into the vein followed by a 10 second CT scan of the heart.

With Cardiac CT Angiography there is no risk of vascular damage, heart attack or stroke. 

So, the article it points out NO RISK of vascular damage, heart attack, or stroke!  THAT'S GOOD!

The less invasion into the body the better - hopefully, "zipper" clubs will be a thing of the past also!

Grand Daughter Continues to Heal the Heart!

Well, the heart gets stronger!  My new grand-daughter takes care of that!!

Dressed in yellow - she is my sunshine!

She is snuggling & ready for bed time!

Here smiles make me smile!

Here laughs make me laugh!

21 Months After Open-Heart By-Pass Surgery!!!!

Here we are!  21 months after open heart by-pass surgery!!!!  Here is my report!

Exercise
I have tried to be smart!  My main workout is walking.  Usually 5 days a week average at about 3 miles.  I have tried to mix some small degrees of jogging.  I also include yard work(mowing grass with a push mower), golfing(mostly with a cart, but walking some on each hole, and my part time job of cleaning carpets!  I need to be aware of my PVC issues.  I still seem to get them around a heart rate of 110-120.  Here is what I did today:

Walked 3 miles around Grubb Lake - got heart rate to 110, had PVC issues twice on severe up hill pushes
Mowed grass - 30 minutes - got heart rate to 105 - NO PVC's

Medicines
Here is the list of prescription drugs:
Before surgery:
Aciphex - 20 mg daily (This is for my stomach)
Montelukast - 10 mg daily (This is the generic Singulair, for my asthma & allergies)

After Open Heart Surgery:
Metoprolol - 25 mg daily - beta blocker - keep blood pressure down
Amlodipine - 5 mg - calcium channel blocker - keep blood pressure down
Clopiogrel - 75 mg daily - (This is the generic Plavix) - blood thinner
Atorvastatin - 40 mg daily - (This is the generic Lipitor)  was taking for about 10 years at 10 mg

Other Stuff
Low Dose Aspirin - 81 mg daily
Omega 3 Fish Oil - 1000 mg daily

Diet
Here is what I changed:
Red meat once a week
Fish twice a week
More Fruit & Vegetables
Less baked goods
Trying to eat nothing after last meal of the day
Drinking more water

The surgery seems like a long time ago!  The easy thing to do forget what happened!  That is why this blog has been great - IT REMINDS ME WHAT THAT SCAR IS ON MY CHEST!!!

Golf and Heart Disease?

One of my main focus in my heart surgery was getting back to playing golf!  Why golf?

1 - The competition of the game, trying to improve, working on the many facets of the game (driving, iron play, chipping, & putting), and playing a friendly round against your buddies!

2 - Getting outdoors for 4-5 hours!  A great way to enjoy nature, different courses, and just the beauty of nature!

3 - Exercise - walking or riding the cart will give you exercise (I know walking is better!)

4 - Being with friends!  Or if you are lucky your sons or daughters!  My both boys play & that is a special 4-5 hours!

Check out the article at : Golfing After a Heart Attack or Heart Surgery!

As I have mentioned in an earlier blog post, my first time out after heart surgery was Easter Monday 2010.  About 4 months after surgery.  After open heart surgery, it was suggested at least 3 months till the sternum healed!  I do remember one particular "divot" that I felt in my chest!!!

So, golf is another way to enjoy some exercise, time with friends or family, and a day in the sun!!

Four!!!!!!

One of the UGLIEST SWINGS EVER!

CHARLES BARKLEY!!

A Good Workout & Busy Day

One goal of life after open heart surgery is to get back to a "normal" life style!  Friday was one of those days!  Started with a good workout on one of my favorite walking trails - Lancaster Junction!

Had a good workout on a hot & humid day!  Decided not to mix running, because of the heat.  Walked over 3 miles at a healthy pace.  Got heart rate up to 90-95 range without any PVC's!  Good workout!

After lunch, did wash! (This keeps the wife happy!)  Since I am retired and she is not, my laundry skills and cooking skills have improved!!!

And to finish the day one of my favorite part time jobs - running the clock for Hempfield football games!  Great game & atmosphere!  Nothing like high school football, band playing, cheerleaders cheering, and young athletes playing a great game - High School Football!

And of course the daily update pics of our new granddaughter!!!  One Month old!!!

Cleveland Clinic - Heart Meds

Again, one of my favorite sites!  The Cleveland Clinic, rated the top "Heart" Hospital in the country!

The article - Cleveland Clinic - The "Big Six" Heart Medicines

They are:

Statins
Aspirin
Clopidogrel
Warfarin
Beta-Blockers
ACE Inhibitors

I'm on 4 of the 6!  - Statins, Clopidogrel, Beta-Blockers, & Aspirin!

Best Heart Healthy Diets

US News & World Report ranked "Heart Healthy Diets".  Take a look at:

Best Heart Healthy Diets

There are some that I have not researched.  The Ornish Diet is:

Meat, poultry, and fish aren’t recommended. The only dairy allowed is fat-free yogurt, milk, fat free cheeses, and egg whites.

Foods not allowed are; all fats, oils, nuts, seeds, avocados, refined carbohydrates (including sugar, white rice, and white flour).

Other than these ‘banned’ foods, the diet allows you to eat all you want without any weighting or measuring. What’s left is predominantly fruit and vegetables, and grains.

The Ornish Diet is not my choice - I can do without meat, but poultry & fish - don't think so!

The other new one was the "Volumetrics Diet".  

The Volumetric Diet's principles are based on sensible eating choices, and this plan is meant to be employed with a regimen of healthy moderate exercise. When using the Volumetric Diet, you should pay attention to the number of calories per gram of food. Foods with a low number of calories per gram usually include a lot of water and fiber. The Volumetric Diet also calls for an increase in the consumption of water, suggesting 48 to 60 oz. of water per day, which amounts to 8 to 10 six-oz. glasses of water.

 So the "Volumetrics Diet" tries to make you feel FULL!

Take a look at the article and see what you think!