Amlodipine Besylate

Amlodipine Besylate

Why take it?  Here is a detailed answer:

amlodipine besylate (amlō´dipēn bes´lāt),

n brand name: Norvasc;
drug class: calcium channel blocker;
action: inhibits calcium ion influx across cell membrane during cardiac depolarization; produces relaxation of coronary vascular smooth muscle and dilates coronary arteries; decreases SA/AV node conduction;
uses: hypertension as a single agent or in combination with other antihypertensives, chronic stable angina pectoris, vasospastic angina.

Simply, decrease blood pressure in patients with hypertension.

Side effects?

CNS: headache, dizziness, drowsiness, light-headedness, fatigue, weakness, lethargy

CV: peripheral edema, angina, bradycardia, hypotension, palpitations

GI: nausea, abdominal discomfort

Musculoskeletal: muscle cramps, muscle pain or inflammation

Respiratory: shortness of breath, dyspnea, wheezing

Skin: rash, pruritus, urticaria, flushing

Side effects for me?  Maybe fatigue, drowsiness.  At times I feel my normal energy level is not here anymore - but what is normal??  I do not think I have any others.

At my check up in January I will be asking if I need to keep taking this med.

A Packer Win, A Grand Daughter & A Healthy Heart

It is amazing how a few pictures from my son & daughter-in-law can brighten the morning & make me smile!  It also makes the quintuple bypass pump that blood through the body in a way only a beautiful grandchild can do!!  My little girl is sporting her Green Bay Packer PJ's after a big win Sunday!!!!


Another Green Bay Fan Begins!!!  (Or maybe a Steeler Fan - only time will tell!!!!)

Clopidogrel (Brand name: Plavix)

Clopidogrel (Brand name: Plavix)

My first heart medication I will discuss is Clopidogrel - the generic Plavix.

For more information stop at 

Clopidogrel (Brand name: Plavix)

The main reason for taking clopidogrel is to prevent blood clots.  The main side effect while taking this medication is bleeding.  I have noticed when I have a small cut it will take longer to stop bleeding.  I thing most of the other side effects are not an issue - what are they:

I found an article pertaining to the use of aspirin and clopidogrel - here is an interesting quote:

It has been recommended to use aspirin indefinitely and clopidogrel for a minimum of one month to one year following CABG. However, each patient should be evaluated independently. The platelet count will dictate the therapy, as will the survival rate, coronary stent placement, risk of GI bleed, and a history of recent myocardial infarction. Aspirin dosage (81 mg vs. 325 mg) has not been clearly established, so assess each patient separately. — Debra King, PhD, PA (163-4)

Aspirin and clopidogrel after coronary bypass surgery

Clopidogrel may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• excessive tiredness
• headache
• dizziness
• nausea
• stomach pain
• diarrhea
• nosebleed

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

• hives
• rash
• itching
• difficulty breathing or swallowing
• swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
• hoarseness
• black and tarry stools
• red blood in stools
• bloody vomit
• vomit that looks like coffee grounds
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• slow or difficult speech
• weakness or numbness of an arm or a leg
• vision loss
• fever
• shortness of breath
• fast heartbeat
• pale skin
• purple patches or bleeding under the skin
• confusion
• yellowing of the skin or eyes

So, I will continue taking 75 mg per day until my next doctors visit in January!

Two Years After Open Heart Bypass Surgery & Medications

I am coming up on two years after open heart by-pass surgery, quintuple by-pass!

However, the vast majority of CABG procedures, including the quintuple bypass, are scheduled in advance. This allows time for pre-surgery testingthat helps determine how many bypasses are needed, if the patient is healthy enough to tolerate the surgery, and their general state of health.

The procedure is performed under general anesthesia. Once the surgery begins, blood vessels are taken from another area of the body, often the leg, and grafted onto the existing heart vessel before and after the blockage. A quintuple bypass requires more vessels than any other procedure, so multiple sites, including the arm, Left Internal Mammary Artery (LIMA), and other vessels may be used.

Obtaining adequate vessels to use for the grafts can be one of the most challenging aspects of the procedure; if the vessels to the heart are diseased, it is likely that the vessels in other regions of the body are also affected. These vessels are then used to detour blood around the blockage on the way to the heart, with the blood literally being routed around (bypassed) the blocked portion of the vessel.

Once the vessels needed for the grafts are harvested, the chest portion of the surgery begins with a sternotomy, the incision that opens the chest and divides the sternum (breastbone) in half to allow the surgeon access to the heart. The procedure is most often performed "on pump" using acardiopulmonary bypass machine to temporarily do the work of the heart and lungs, allowing the surgeon to stop the heart and perform surgery without the constant movement of the heart beating.

Quintuple Bypass!

Here is the list of meds that I am currently using, including my meds for other medical conditions!

My heart drugs after surgery - Amlodipine, Clipidorel, & Metroprolol.

Before Surgery - Atorvastatin & Apirin

Other meds - Allergies & Asthma - Montelukast     Stomach Issues - Aciphex   & Omega 3 Fish Oil

The next few days I will research each!

Thanksgiving!! 2012

OK.  Almost two years since my open heart surgery!  What am I thankful for?  Here is my list so far!


1 - December 2010 - Successful Open Heart Surgery!

2 - March 2011 - Back to work & Coaching!

3 - April 2011 - First 18 holes of golf!

4 - June 2011 - Retirement - after 35 years of education!

5 - September  2011 - FIRST RETIREMENT CHECK!

6 - November 2011 - Oldest son Wedding!!

7 - December 2011 - First Year Anniversary of Open Heart Surgery

8 - January 2012 - Help drive in-laws to Florida in their motor home!

9 - July 2012 - FIRST Grand Child!!!  Jamina Joyce Albright!!!

10 - August 2012 - Retire from Coaching

11 - October 2012 - Youngest son Wedding!

12 - November 2012 - Another Thanksgiving!!

Can Skype Heal a Heart?

YES!!!

We are using Skype again!  First, we used it when Jared was in Iraq!  And now, with his wife Erliza & Baby Jamina, we can see & hear Korea!!!  If you do not use it, try it out!

It is free!  Take a look at this tutorial:

How to Use Skype 101

And yes!  SKYPE is great for healing the heart!

Heart Disease & Stress

Over a lifetime we all have stress!

1 - Your first day of school
2 - Your kids first day of school
3 - Your first varsity football game
4 - Your kids first varsity football game
5 - Your drivers test
6 - Your KIDS drivers test
7 - Your first day at college
8 - Your kids first day at college
9 - Your wedding
10 - Your kids wedding

Do you notice a trend - my wife & I love our boys, but it does add stress!  And you job, church, politics, neighbors, friends, family, etc!

Found this great article on Stress & Heart Disease!

What do you think?
Here are some highlights -
1 - How does stress increase the risk of heart disease?
   •  persistently elevated levels of hormones like adrenaline and cortisol.
   •  may make you over eat or eat the wrong things
2 - Does stress effect everyone the same?
   •  No!  That's why we have a Joe Montana in football!
   •  Our son Jared handles stress well in Iraq!  Thank God!
3 - What causes stress?  Here is their list!

• Illness, either personal or of a family member or friend.
• Death of a friend or loved one.
• Problems in a personal relationship.
• Work overload.
• Starting a new job.
• Unemployment.
• Retirement.
• Pregnancy.
• Crowds.
• Relocation.
• Daily hassles.
• Legal problems.
• Financial concerns.
• Perfectionism.

Wow!  Check out the article & learn more!!!  Medicine.net - Stress & Heart Disease