I don’t post a whole lot but want to share this story. I have a history of high cholesterol and heart disease in my family genes but thought I could exercise my way past these genetic risk factors. I'll be 53 in 2 weeks and have exercised my entire life. For the past 8 years, I've been playing full-court basketball 5 times a week and I have little to no body fat. ....Full disclosure, I also chose to never take my cholesterol/blood pressure medication as I felt it caused me fatigue while playing ball. I had been playing ball for hours at a time with no symptoms. Then, last month, I had a few episodes of chest pain, shortness of breath, sweating, etc. while getting ready for work.. I rationalized it as exhaustion from working long hours, lack of sleep, etc. I mean how could I have heart issues when I could run at the gym for hours? After a close friend rode my a$$ to call a doctor and he told my wife, I acquiesced to both of them and had a stress test, which was abnormal. Much to my shock and surprise, I had 90% blockage in a main coronary artery and 80% in 2 others. Four stents later I’m good to get back to my life. Obviously, I will take my medication religiously, watch the diet better (I avoided vegetables with all my might), and continue to exercise (Cardiologist said I can get back to the gym and do whatever I want after 7 days. Amazingly, stent placements are not invasive and I have zero pain as I type this. Anybody out there having chest pain and other symptoms don’t take a chance, it means something and get it checked out ASAP. Also, please don't think you can exercise your way past genetic risk factors. If your physician has prescribed medications, take them daily. My doctor told me I was less than a year away from a heart attack if not sooner... Frankly, I was in denial.
OT: Had 4 Stents put in Friday - 90% blockage
- Thread starter Jeff513
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