Short story: on May 08, 2024, I had a cardiac catheterization, and during the procedure the doc found my left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery was 99% blocked.
So, they put in a few stents, and with some lifestyle changes, I should be right as rain going forward.
The moral(s) of my story, which has been slowly building over the last 18 months or so:
1 - know your family history and get tested accordingly: I was slower than I should have been in finally getting baseline Cardiac Calcium testing done. My score was 600, ?high likelihood of significant obstruction in one or more arteries?. That led to a Stress Echo test, which led to said cardiac catheterization.
2 - understand your other risk factors: my cholesterol, specifically triglycerides, had been high, but trending down with diet and exercise, so we let it go without meds for the past few years. At my last physical, my numbers had spiked up, another factor leading to that first visit with the cardiologist, and adding a statin to the routine.
3 - listen to your body. I ran the worst Army Ten Miler of my life last October and knew something wasn?t right. Nothing hurt and I didn?t have ?discomfort? but I could tell something was off. I never understood how athletes had heart attacks out of the blue, but I do now. I?d been exercising consistently for the past 3 1/2 years, but that?s not enough on its own.
The combo of those three things snuck up on me, so I?m sharing with all y?all in hopes that you?ll pause, take note of your own circumstances and take action as appropriate.
For me: I?m feeling recovered and good. I am grateful to have another Army Ten Miler under my belt, and I felt great while running it!
Now: I walk because I know that with every step, I am saving lives.
We're all tied to heart disease and stroke in some way. We have to change that. Will you help me?
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