Wish me luck or a fast ambulance.

[scoutcub]

Don -

Awesome thread, just read it all! Very impressive recovery effort, and to get right back into the physical training that quickly is inspiring. My former thoughts and perhaps a majority of the general public opinions are/were that after a heart attack, you simply cannot resume such a challenging physical regime.
I'm certainly guilty of buying into "moderation" to include the occasional bad meals, countering it with an additional mile or 2...

Getting on in years, I think you've convinced me to look into the heart scan on my next physical.

Well done, Sir!


Frank

 

[txdon]

Scoutcub, Most heart attacks occur when the blockage is only 30-40%, when there are no symptoms. I never had chest pain (and was running for exercise), until the plaque ruptured. At the 30-40% the plaque is not stable and the outer layer is very thin. Good idea on the scan. I would say good luck on the scan but there is no luck involved, it is what it is and how you adjust is up to you.

Just about all Doctors agree to be heart attack proof you need to get the LDL cholesterol to 70 and keep it there so the plaque can harden, stabilize and shrink. With my "moderation diet" at the time of my heart attack my LDL was 90, good, but not for someone who wants to stop/reverse heart disease.

The BMI (Body Mass Index) charts are also important, I was overweight at 183 pounds and 5'11". You must be in the normal range. I am just in the normal range now at 169.

 

[beppington]

Don, does your vegan diet include literally zero fat intake?

I thought humans needed at least some fat, but have no source to support that thought.

 

[brin]

Hey Don - This will probably be you in another 40 some years...you just have to listen to this 100 yr. old Marathoner on his secrets...you are on the right track..

Fauja Singh Reflection Healthy Living [HD] - YouTube

 

[txdon]

Don, does your vegan diet include literally zero fat intake?

I thought humans needed at least some fat, but have no source to support that thought.

I think I get around 20-30 grams of fat a day.

Humans do need fat. I don't eat anything that has fat added or naturally high in fat. I never add or cook with oil. (Pam is 100% fat)
I just eat the fats that occur naturally. Here are some examples:
Grams of fat
2 Tbs ground Flax seed 4.5
1/3 can black beans 1
1 cup garbanzos 4.3
1/2 cup oatmeal 3
1 cup green peas .6
1 cup whole wheat flour 2.4
1 cup brown rice 5.1
1 cup watermelon .7
1 orange .16
1 cup lettuce .12

I avoid avocados which have 30 grams of fat and olives which have .5 grams of fat each. Of course all seeds (except flax seed) and nuts are out with their high oil content. Pecans 76.9 grams of fat in a cup and 1 cup of peanuts has 70.1 grams of fat.

 

[txdon]

brin, he's 99 has never taken medicine and doesn't over eat and walks 4 hours a day. Porridge and simple foods are his medicine when he is ill. Amazing.

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

Thanks guys!

Oh, one more very important item on the recovery road. The damage to my heart after the heart attack was measured by a cardiac output of 40%. I took an echocardiogram in June to check the cardiac output and it had increased to 60%, which is back in the normal range!!!

Next week I'll head to Houston to see If I qualify for a five year study called the Century Health Study at The University of Texas Medical School and Memorial Hermann Hospital. It uses the PET scan as feedback to keep patients on track at stopping and reversing heart disease. I'm still undecided if I need the scan (radiation) as incentive.
However, the support team and the visual window of the blood flow in the heart is great feedback and incentive. If anyone thinks they qualify (before you have a heart attack) here is the web site - Century Health Study | The University of Texas Medical School at Houston

Bepington, good luck on the healthy diet.

I tried the American Heart Assoc. Diet and "in moderation diet" for years before I realized the hard way that moderation kills. Now when I see certain foods and I have flashbacks of me in the back of the ambulance.
Not everyone gets heart disease and some people can eat anything and not have any heart disease, (my brother), so I don't encourage my diet for everyone. I'm just in the unlucky half trying to improve my odds and compensating for bad genes.

Good luck on getting qualified for the study.

 

[txdon]

Good luck on getting qualified for the study.

I did not qualify.

If I would have had any chest pains now, 6 months after stent placement, I would have qualified for the 5 year study. I have no chest pains and the study's criteria is I must wait another 18 months.

The Doctors and nurses were very enthused about their study and the cardiologist went over everything with me about reversing heart disease.

I've now spoken personally to two leading cardiologist from Cleveland and Houston and both are in complete agreement that the only way to reverse heart disease is doing exactly what I am doing. That is very encouraging. :thumbsup:

 

[creekbend]

If you continue the regimen the odds are in your favor. Wishing you the best that Life has to offer.

 

[Western]

Just throwing this out there, Google Chia seeds, very promising reports about this little gem. I may give them a try to see if I feel any different, but for the most part they seem promising and have been around a long time. Of course they aren't cheap.