Heartmates Interactive Connections

Name:	Jennifer Glancy
E-mail:	jenniferglancy@hotmail.com
Date:	2002-01-01 10:06:00
Comments:	Hi... I'm wondering if anyone out there my age has heart problems like me. I have been in the ER 4 times in the last 6 months, to no avail. Some of the symptoms I've had were severe tremors, nausea, severe headaches, severe chest pain, shortness of breath, pain and weakness in my limbs, extreme abdominal swelling, and fits of rapid heartrates that come on for no reason at all, I've been anywhere from having a leisurely walk in the mall to sitting on the couch watching television and my heart just kicks in like I'm a race car driver, and will go up to 180-220 bpm. By the time I give in and get into the ER (when the bouts last for 20 minutes or more) no one is quick enough to take my vitals at the very least. I have congestive heart failure in my family, along with cancer. Five years ago I had a subarachnoid cyst removed during brain surgery. I have been under a great deal of stress the last 4 years-- I was the chronic no-sleep overachiever in high school after my surgery and the death of my father and for the last two years I have been working 40 hours a week and taking about 16 hours at the university. I have a bad habit of eating with an extreme amount of salt, and have done so for as long as I can remember. I finally started seeing a cardiologist this December because I've missed a great deal of school and have lost my job because I have no control over these "attacks". I have had the EKG, blood work, the sonogram bit, a stress test and an event monitor. Right now I'm taking Atenolol, but it seems to do me no good- it keeps my heart rate down but everything else still hurts. They find no reason for my palpitations & other symptoms but I feel like I'm being written off because of my age. I'm a college sophomore & 19 years old. Is congestive heart failure a possibility for me? Because of my age, my cardiologist is writing CHG off. I'm having virtually all of the symptoms, and by the day they are getting worse-- lately, my chest "pops"--- like super-sized rice krispies-- it's scaring me. Any advice?

Name:	harry taylor
E-mail:	harrytaylor_29@yahoo
Date:	2002-01-02 08:05:00
Comments:	Anyone care to share the latest thinking about PAT, i.e. any new suppressor drugs, or further progress in minimally invasive corrective procedures, such as by Dr. Arrthymia?

Name:	Donna Henry
E-mail:	kids@ortrackm.missouri.org
Date:	2002-01-06 02:51:00
Comments:	My baby who is 6 months old has Down Syndrome in October of 2001 she had AV canal repair they than discovered she had pulmonary vein stenosis in two veins and the other two are clear..the narrowing is not complete but as of last vist was a tiny bit more narrow she takes meds 3 differant kinds for her heart lasix and digeoxin and blood pressure medication 1.2 ml on the blood pressure med. my question what can possible be done for her and can they do stints on this?? Thank you

Name:	Jess Hill
E-mail:	jh@redunn.com
Date:	2002-01-08 11:10:00
Comments:	I am a 57 year old male. On March 27, 2001 I had double bi-pass surgery. It has been very successful. I have lost 53 pounds and have established a new diet along with a great amount of exercise. In short, my heart problem is viewed by me as a blessing in disguise. ONE PROBLEM! Approximately one quarter of the time, my heart beats so hard it feels as if IT'S GOING TO JUMP OUT OF MY CHEST. The rhythm is fine. It dosen't skip. It just beats extra hard. My Cardiologist initially said it was due to heightened awareness. That is not the case. When standing next to my significant other, just barely in body contact, she alerts me to her awareness of the strength of my heartbeat. I subsequently got my Cardiologist to monitor my heart with a portable unit for 24 hours. No problems were detected. My Cardiologist continues to down play this event. It keeps me awake and quite honestly concerns me. Has anyone else experienced this occurance post bi-pass? I'm simply looking for someone to tell me this is a relatively normal occurance or give an explanation for it. Thanks for any help.

Name:	Rosemary Huehmer
E-mail:	Huehmer@acunet.net
Date:	2002-01-10 03:05:00
Comments:	I live in Hudson, MA with my husband, and my two children, Steve, age 12, and Jonathan, age 8. My husband Paul, age 39, suffered a heart attack while playing two days after the attack on America. He had a stent and has two other clogged arteries. Damage was to back of heart. We have a whole new outlook on life. I tutor two children with leukemia. Never did I understand their bravery until our lives changed overnight. My husband is doing everything right. His LDL is too low! He just finished his rehab and we purchased a home-gym. His weight has gone from 189 to 168. His cardiologist is very impressed with his continuing improvement. But, I feel so alone. I've been strong...but...need to chat with people who have been through this. I found Mended hearts through the web page just last week. It was a breath of fresh air to get e-mail from people who could relate and understand my anxiety. We are not dwelling on what happened...it is a second chance....we will do everything right to stay alive along time. Thank you for reading my comments. Rose

Name:	Diane Scott
E-mail:	mssage@tampabay.rr.com
Date:	2002-01-13 04:37:00
Comments:	this is a reply to karen welter My Husband also had open heart surgery 3 in a 6 wk period, 1 mitral valve repair, and o ring put in and one because fluid built up around his heart and they were just going in to aspirate the fluid, but in the end did a second open heart surgery, 3rd was because infection set in around the heart and valve area he got out of the hospital on a saturday after the second surgery and went back in monday after fluid came out his chest incision. In the end he to suffers severe chest pain, sob , and very low energy , he can't work and his Drs state it is not from the surgery. Everyone recovers differently from surgery and sometimes Drs don't want to hear about the out of the norm cases, My husbands is one of them. He too feels it is scar tissue and the wires from the surgery still in his chest. I can just tell you to keep telling the Drs about the pain till they do something, and be there for him. Many times depression sets in as you might already know and it can be hard for both of you when he is in pain. Take it slow, talk to friends and family(something I did not do till now, 1 full year after the 3 surgeries) The pain and problems are not imaginary. Like one person says what a Dr tell you before the surgery is "rosy" compared to the reality after surgery and recovery. You didn't mention if he has CHF. I'v just found out alot of truth about that which Drs don't mention to you. My husband is only 53 and we have a 6 yr old. To say all this was a shock would be a understatement. But communication with his Dr is very important. I wish you all the best. Diane

Name:	Rachael Freed
E-mail:	rachaelfreed@heartmates.com
Date:	2002-01-15 09:54:00
Home Page:	www.heartmates.com
Comments:	Welcome to Interactive Connections, and to the Heartmates website, whose sole focus is addressing the needs of cardiac spouses and families. This is our 8th year on the web, and the archives of Interactive Connections can be read going back to 1997. We are proud to be the only resource (but wish there were more) for cardiac families. Please come back often. We hope that this site and its contents will provide you the support and information you need to make a full recovery. And we pray for all of us worldwide that this will be a year of peace on our planet and in our hearts. Come back soon, and come back often.

Name:	jadkins
E-mail:	jimbogo51@hotmail.com
Date:	2002-01-17 07:21:00
Home Page:	msn
Comments:	I'm a 56 year old male who had a heart attack and subsequent angioplasic with 4 stents. I suffered anxiety,weakness,nausea etc. for a year aferward. By accident, no blood pressure medicine for a test, I discovered cozzar was responsible. It is rare for this to happen, but never doubt how you feel. All medicine can affect how you feel. After a heart attack, everyone is scared it will happen again. You know yourself better than anyone. Demand that your doctor explain all possible side effects of everything they prescribe.

Name:	Mary Ann Duncan
E-mail:	ronandmaryanne@home.com
Date:	2002-01-27 09:08:00
Comments:	My husband had bypass surgery last year and bypass on arteries in his legs this year. He has severe CHF, kidney failure, and diabetes. He is still working although he probably shouldn't be. He doesn't seem to fully understand his condition and is very fearful. He also has depression. He has had problems for the past 15 years - out of control sugar levels and out of control high blood pressure. Until recently he has just not been willing to make any lifestyle changes. He did quite smoking but still uses nicotine gum. Now, of course, the severity of his condition is such that he is making a few changes. Most of the time I have no idea how to help because he resists the changes. Watching him get worse and worse has been very painful. Suggestions from people who have been there?

Name:	tariq khan
E-mail:	hydear2002@yahoo.com
Date:	2002-01-28 06:10:00
Home Page:	my family kidney dieses
Comments:	i am tariq khan of pakistan my all family are the kidney p and pakistani docter say to him this type of(d) is very degris plz help him to me i am very poor person i am not afford to docter pay plz help me as for god plz help me over (d) polesistec ( D)

Name:	Sheila
E-mail:	sprice109@hotmail.com
Date:	2002-01-29 07:18:00
Comments:	I would like to extend a huge "thanks" and "appreciation" for having the Heartmates services available. It's helped me get through the past four years of living with heart disease in my family! My husband was 46 years old when he was diagnosed with heart disease and had double by-pass surgery. Our daughters were 4 years old and 8 years old at the time. It was frightening for all of us. I learned about the Heartmates book through the cardiac rehab department. The head nurse reommended the book. It served as the only guide I had for myself, as a cardiac care-giver, and Heartmate. My husband and I were pretty much left on our own after he completed his cardiac rehab. program. That's were the fun began (not). He had a difficult time making lifestyle changes and I had a difficult time watching him not make the right choices. I wanted my partner back, but instead I continued to be a cardiac care-giver. I became the support system. I was the coach for my mate and my family to get them on a healthy track. There was no one to support me and tell me that I was doing OK. Instead, I felt isolated, ignored, and invisible! It was up to me to get help for myself, my husband and family. It was a very hard time!! What I need so say is this...it was comforting and reassuring to be able to sit down with someone who had gone through the same experience I had and understand how I felt. It was also reassuring to know that it was all normal. Although this is the first time I've written on this website, I visit it frequently. It's reassurance that I and my family are not alone! What happens with us all is that we get so busy...trying to balance and fit time in for ourselves. It is very hard! In order to stay energized and healthy..I needed the availability and access of on-going support the first 2 years after my husband's surgery. Heartmates has provided that! HeartMates has also helped me with documenting my Spritual Ethical Will which will serve as a family legacy to pass on to my daughters and a gift to my husband..my true HeartMate. (The website is www.womenslegacies.com). This was a wonderful healing tool for me and my family! In closing...to all you care-givers out there...we need to remind ourselves this...as much as we love our mate and family..we need to take care of ourselves too. As someone once told me "When you're in an airplane and an emergency arises..you need to put your own oxygen mask on first..before you can be of help to anyone else!". For those who have experienced your cardiac crises...things will get better in time. It's hard work and it's challenging...don't give up!! We are an important part of the healing process for our mate and our family. You will get through and you will be stronger for it!! Look at it this way..it's an awakening and a new beginning...and..you're in for the ride of your life!! You will make a difference...and it starts at home...with you!! I do support this website and what it does for other Heartmates..after all...it's about taking care of ourselves so that we can be caring to the most important people in our lives...our Heartmate and our family.

Name:	Vonda
E-mail:	vondalou@coastalnet.com
Date:	2002-01-31 05:31:00
Comments:	My father has recently had a heart attack. He had bypass surgery in 1991 and they are telling him that he needs it again. He recently heard about a procedure called kelation. Please advise the risks, pros, cons, etc. Vonda

Name:	sweetjane
E-mail:	tootooto@attbi.com
Date:	2002-02-03 06:50:00
Comments:	Hi, Day 2 of post surgery, he's home, finds me a little crazed and irritated. My husband had a heart attack last Tuesday and angioplasty on one side of his heart that day. He was scheduled for surgery again on Wednesday, but his cardiologist hurt his back during my husband's procedure and has rescheduled it for this week. He sent my husband home to recover a bit between procedures. My husband has mentally been through the wringer. As have I. He is still wearing the hospital bracelets and wont take them off. I am wondering about mental health pro's out there that might be able to intervene in the next week. Does anybody have any recommendations of how to get through this? He seems to be angry and blaming me for his illness. He will not own that his passion for junk food, cigarettes, and an ex-wife from hell got him into this boat. I am being SO supportive, am scared out of my wits and getting absolutely nothing in return. Please eme any ideas. We're in IL. Thank you SO much for your time.

Name:	David Hooper
E-mail:	dhooper715@aol.com
Date:	2002-02-04 07:11:00
Comments:	Hi I have at least two blockages. My cardioligist says I am a good candidate for a new procedure that takes the grafts from around the heart and not the leg. Could you please tell me more about this or direct me to where I may find information. As of this point I am in the process of being scheduled for the by pass, so any info you could get me would be of greathelp Thanks Dave Hooper

Name:	Marie
E-mail:	Hawley28645
Date:	2002-02-04 11:49:00
Comments:	Hi I need someone to tell me that my husband and I are wrong,About 2 years ago my husband had a single By-pass and he told me everyday after that,that he does not feel anybetter and at times worst,And about 6 months ago we found out he has another 100% blocked artery in the same area as the last one but this time they say they can not do anything except try meds.to unblock it and they even gave him the wrong dosage of that! In my heart I feel as if they sent him home with a death sentence!!Now he is in pain alot and we have alot of bills and it is getting harder for him to work the hours we work and we can't afford for either one of us to be out of work (we own and run our own buissness)So if anyone has any Ideas or can say you have been here and everything will work out ok PLEASE Write Me!! I need to hear something!! Marie

Name:	Courtney
E-mail:	cgo@ak.net
Date:	2002-02-07 04:04:00
Comments:	Hello, I am attempting to locate a specific 'list' of top cardiovascular surgeons in the USA. A very close friend of mine underwent a double bypass approx. one year ago. The surgery/procedure did not go well and was not successful. After a year of severe chronic pain and continuing problems, I am strongly anticipating that he will have to undergo further surgery in the near future. We are attempting to identify a 'list' of very good/best cardiovascular surgeons so that we may discuss the case/situation with them and hopefully find someone very good to continue future work. I have looked extensively on the web for information and have not been able to find any specific information on surgeons. Would anyone know if such specific information exists and where to find it? Thank you VERY MUCH for your help and advice! Courtney

Name:	Kathy Greives
E-mail:	kgreives@yahoo.com
Date:	2002-02-11 04:59:00
Comments:	My Mom had her first Heart Attack in 92, she just had a Triple bypass in Sept 2001. She has kept retaining fluids which makes walking talking and almost anything near impossable. Her orginal Doc has recently been fired after she was taken to the ER for Congestive Heart Failure. The new Docs are now saying her heart is VERY weak, and they have her on high doses of diuretic (pee pills) sorry I cant spell. I am very concerned about her health, she is a young 66 and always very active and now they tell her you cant do anything, so now she cant sleep, even with sleeping pills. She lives in Vero Beach Florida, and I am willing to take her anywhere to get some help. If you have any suggestions for a top notch heart Doc I would love to have a name or number. Thanks to all and Warm Wishes. Kathy

Name:	b.shelp mother of 6yr. old heart patient
E-mail:	b.shelp@worldnet.att.net
Date:	2002-02-12 10:04:00
Comments:	Hello.Iam the mother of a 6yr daughter that had open heart at 4. She was born with three holes in her heart and 2 months premature. She also has had 7 other major surgeries but none of these affect us like her heart condition. She spent her first year on O2 at home and heart monitors and heart meds. The 2 vsd, closed and the asd in the veinous area blew open to over the size of a halfdollar which we had the transplant team at denver children;s hospital do a 6 hour surgery and they used her sack around her heart to close the torn area which thank god worked. We see her docter every 6 months to ayear.She is in 1st grade now.We pray and try to keep her feeling as good as possible with diet and sleep. Shes a fighter and my inspiration. She has a inner spirit that doesnt give up on her.She swears she has seen the angels and we beleive she has. Keep faith and know jessica will to.

Name:	M.A. Henry
E-mail:	mah@chem.psu.edu
Date:	2002-02-14 01:13:00
Comments:	In a way I feel guilty about writting this but I could use some help from others.....My wife just had her fifth heart valve surgery...they have taken oplace over many years...the first the result of aortic stenosis...pig valve, bjork shilley valve , St Jude valve, then aortic arch replaced due to aneurism, endocarditis leading to mitral valve replacement and bicuspid valve repair. I am 69 and have always been there to do everything...cooking, cleaning, etc.but there are times it gets very hard to deal with for I am not allowed to have a headache a hurt or pain or any problem...."theres nothing wrong with you want my heart condition"...is what I hear....if I try to discuss anything with the kids they always carry it back to her.....so I feel like a leaning post not only for her but the whole family...well, now I have a herniated gall Bladder incision that I have been putting up with for many years and now the drs. say it must be repaired....surgery is scheduled for March fifth....now I have a crying near hysterical woman on my hands a good part of the time...how do I cope. since this surgery she has had a lot of back spasms...not unusual for this type of surgery but can be very uncomfortable for her.....but I am near my wits end.....

Name:	Jean Smith
E-mail:	jandjsmith@iqnetsys.net
Date:	2002-02-14 01:15:00
Home Page:	I won.com
Comments:	Hi. My husband and I are both heart patients. I had a second degree heart block in 1988 and had a papcer put in at age 48. My husband had two heart attacks one week apart when he was 54. They did angioplast but it all colapsed the next day. He was not stable enough at that time for by pass surgery. Two years latter he did have py pass surgery but it left him with a frozen diaphram on one side, so of course he only uses one lung. Two years ago I had a new pacer put in and I am pacing 95% of the time. We live a very busy life of service to the community and the church but at a slow pace. At times he becomes very descouraged While all this has gone on my brother, who had had a pacer for longer than I, had to have a pacer defibulater implanted. All we can do is thank God for doctors and live each day and be thankful.

Name:	Susan Esposito
E-mail:	hdofstl@frontiernet.net
Date:	2002-02-14 05:10:00
Home Page:	suzyshomedecorations.homestead.com/Basic.html
Comments:	Hi i am a heart patient and have been all of my 35 years.I have had aortic stenosis and I have a pace maker now that was implanted 7-99 and if i did not have this It would be very life threating. I can understand the frustrations of heart problems and the trouble dealing with it, but just remember without it we would not be here. I have had 4 open heart surgeries in my life the first was at 5 years old when they went in 2 times to stretch my valve, and have a Bjork Shiley Aortic Valve that was put in in Feb. of 1982. I was 15 then and had a 60/40 chance to see my 18 birthday. I have just turned 35 in Nov. an i thank god for each givin day. If i can be of any help with the coping part of heart disease please email me anytime. I live in Upstate New York and heard of this site from a couple on the early show and i can really understand how difficult it is for the spouse. I am so lucky to have found a man that deals with it so well, at least he shows it. I am sure he hurts inside when my moods swing but he always is there for me and that is the best part of the battle. I hope i can help in any little way. God bless America! Suzy

Name:	The Duckman
E-mail:	mallekcb42@juno.com
Date:	2002-02-14 05:14:00
Comments:	Goodmorning,we have just gone thru the gambet with my husband.He went in for simple angogram,had severe pain after it,given 4 doses morphine,started vomiting,headaches,they kept him in the hospital,next evening still vomiting,he fell asleep woke up spoke to me,2 snorts and he was gone,coded.They brought him back,put in pacer defauleter,hes home but not regaining his strength to fast. Need help seasoning food to make him want to eat,without salt. He would love to talk to anyone who has this pacer def. combination.He cannot sleep at night,he has a lot of fear it may happen again. Good luck to us all,with Gods help.

Name:	murray matlin
E-mail:	mgm229@webtv.net
Date:	2002-02-14 05:15:00
Comments:	Hi my wife grace and i are married 50 years and a little over a year ago grace had a massive heart attack and to this day it has affected me to no end she means so much to me she is my entire world my only reason for living.I have been taking care of here every needs but she fights me when it comes to her diet.I am getting more and more frusterated as each day goes by If any one out there has any sugjestions please reply as i am desperate.

Name:	Charlie Bowman
E-mail:	c232@ptd.net
Date:	2002-02-14 05:20:00
Comments:	It is coming up on 5 yrs. since my quadruple by-pass. Iam going to turn 55 in June and retire from teaching special education this year after 33 yrs. The last 5 have been fantastic. I have never lived like I have since the operation. I have a situation that is very disturbing and recurs frequently. I fear death now more than ever. I have alot to do but do realize when the time comes, it comes. I cry very easily and am very emotional towards people. Is this normal? I cannot speak to my wife about it. I never knew how she felt since her father had triple surgery a few months after me. Has anyone else had this combo to deal with?

Name:	Duane Saaristo
E-mail:	edselman@cpinternet.com
Date:	2002-02-14 06:09:00
Comments:	Iam a 57 year-old male. I have a long family history of heart disease, on my fathers' side. On January 20, 2002 I underwent an angioplsty, 4 stents, on the right side of my heart. I was having bouts with shortness of breath, when I went outside in the cold, I live in Minnesota. Since the procedure I am having serious bouts of shortness of breath, now, even inside. I am overweight but food is my painkiller. My back was broken in a fall and I have titainium rods holding me together. Going through cardiac rehab, but, its not helping. I think its my medications. but, the doctors will not listen. Can anybody help?

Name:	DEBBIE LAMBERT
E-mail:	GBDOUBLEDRANCH@aol.com
Date:	2002-02-14 06:22:00
Home Page:	home
Comments:	hi a year ago i had a 4 by pass i see life different and im scared all the time i dont want to be alone my husband works out of town i cry real easy now and hes started drinking how do i handle this and go on i have mood swings and some times im just really mean is this normal and how do i handle it if some one can relate to this i would really like to now thanks for listing debbie

Name:	nance
E-mail:	sexysunshine38@aol.com
Date:	2002-02-14 06:33:00
Comments:	our story is a little different.....this is not about my parents or grandparents, but with my daughter, stephanie. she has congestive heart failure....a virus attacked her heart, she went into renal failure and total heart failure as well. she was not expected to live, was given 48 hours, on the top of the heart transplant list. complications rose, 2 blood clots in her lungs, pluerisy. she has been undergoing treatment for her heart and her clots, longterm problems with that. this is a problem that doesnt happen with older adults but with young ones as well. trust, faith, love, belief in god does work. my daughter is a miracle at 16...god bless her and her soul, i love you baby.........

Name:	Shirley Kelley
E-mail:	dkskelley@aol.com
Date:	2002-02-14 06:52:00
Comments:	My husband,49, has been diagnosed with an enlarged right heart. We have been through many tests in the past 2 months and have ruled out pulmonary hypertension, ARVD, and CAD. He does have frequent PVCs which after electrophysiology testing is said to be non-threatening. No one seems to be able to figure out why he has this condition. He is a firefighter and wants to know how this will affect his job? Has anyone else out there had this condtion and what has been the outcome? Thanks.

Name:	Jann
E-mail:	bicycle@chorus.net
Date:	2002-02-14 07:05:00
Comments:	I had heart failure 2 1/2 years ago due to a birth defect and stress. I spent hospital time and now medication, increased medication, changes in medication etc. You know the drill. I remarried in December to a wonderful but very athletic man. I want to participate in the bicycling, camping, hiking, etc but am somewhat frightened and experience pain in my chest when I even think about it. I can only assume its anxiety but don't want MORE medications. Is there any way that anyone can give me some advice about handling this. My husband doesn't pressure me, he always asks if I'm okay but I feel its disappointing to him.

Name:	Ken
E-mail:	voelkerkh@earthlink.net
Date:	2002-02-14 07:29:00
Comments:	Hi, I heard about this web site just this morning on tv. I've just turned 57 and diagnosed with congential aortic stenosis with some leakage(two instead of 3 valves) and mild ischemia in the lower portion of the heart during a pre-employment physical. I just started taking aspirin(100mg), atenolol(25mg), and lipitor(10mg) on a daily basis. During the nuclear tread mill, I pooped out at 11 minutes. Several days ago I had some dull but persistent pain in the upper portion of my right jaw. Is this related to my condition or did I just sleep on that side wrong? Any ideas on the prognosis of my condition to avoid a valve replacement, stint, angioplasty, or further complications from the meds. thanks, Ken

Name:	Sandy Faison
E-mail:	faison5@cnetech.com
Date:	2002-02-14 08:00:00
Comments:	I have a 14 yr. old daughter who was recently dx'd w/ cardiogenic syncope. She is on Proamatine 5mg. x 2 daily. Beta blockers were unsuccessful. When given the tilt table test it only took her 4 min. to have her heart rate drop to 30. She is unable to attend school due to lack of energy. She sleeps 17-20 hours daily. I would love to correspond with others who have similar experiences.

Name:	Rich
E-mail:	lasrop@velocitus.net
Date:	2002-02-14 08:56:00
Home Page:	Heart
Comments:	After having an ischemic and TIA stroke last month, the doctors diagnosed me with an atrial septal aneurysm. I am taking Coumadin till I see the cardiologist. Can someone tell me who might have the same thing what they were able to do-operate, medication? Can it be operated? My primary care doctor is hoping it can be operated on so I don't stay on Coumadin. I would appreciate any info since I really don't quite understand it. Thanks! A Retired Teacher From Las Vegas

Name:	Joan Tracey
E-mail:	joantracey@webtv.net
Date:	2002-02-14 09:12:00
Comments:	Have just been diagnosed as having SVT---supraventricular tachycardia.Anyone with info or personal involvement,please send your experiences & treatment to me.I know very little about this condition.Thanks.

Name:	Gary Hill
E-mail:	Ghill41572@aol.com
Date:	2002-02-14 11:53:00
Comments:	I'm a 59 year old male. In 1980 I had a heart attack and at that time had a double by-pass. During the past years I had a few chest pains, but nother major until March of 2001. At that time the by-passes were 100% blocked and they inserted 3 stents in other areas. 5 days later the stents were removed and 3 new by-passes were done along with re-doing one of the blocked original by-passes. Until a few months ago that seemed to work just fine when I began having minor chest pains again, but this time with shortness of breath, but not associated with exercise. I will wake up during the night short of breath feeling like I'm not getting enought oxygen. A recent angiogram showed a lack of oxygen to the front side of my heart, but the cardiologist seemed to not want to do anything. Problem is I'm out of energy and not getting any better.

Name:	Beryl Bellas
E-mail:	beryl.t.bellas@talk21.com
Date:	2002-02-15 02:39:00
Comments:	I am a 58 year old female. I was diagnosed a type 2 diabetic about 4 years ago and finally gave up smoking in August 2000 after several unsuccessful attempts. Last summer 2001 following the death of my Mother and a great deal of other stress both at work and at home I started with chest pain on exertion and was diagnosed with angina. In January this year following a diagnostic angiogram I had a stent implanted in my heart on 4th February 2002 and I am now getting back more energy and more colour in my face and it doesn't hurt to breathe deeply etc and generally I am recovering nicely. What I would like to know is how long it will take to get back to normal? Is it OK to have the odd twinge in the chest or should I call the doctor immediately? Were the severe pins and needles in my left leg nearly a week after the operation just my blood starting to circulate properly again? I am dealing with these problems by using common sense for the most part I really find it difficult to admit that I am feeling ill or indeed realize how ill I am feeling until I feel much better.

Name:	Bob
E-mail:	buybuck@cs.com
Date:	2002-02-15 05:20:00
Comments:	In Feb 1995 my wife suffered a heart attack at 42 and died for over 19 minutes. She suffered oxygen deprivation and now has NO short term memory. I have the same conversations every day that I am home. It has been seven years of this with NO improvement. How do other people cope with the same conversation every day. Watch Memento to see what I go through.

Name:	Bob
E-mail:	buybuck@cs.com
Date:	2002-02-15 05:20:00
Comments:	In Feb 1995 my wife suffered a heart attack at 42 and died for over 19 minutes. She suffered oxygen deprivation and now has NO short term memory. I have the same conversations every day that I am home. It has been seven years of this with NO improvement. How do other people cope with the same conversation every day. Watch Memento to see what I go through.

Name:	Luis Vargas
E-mail:	lvargas@prcnet.com
Date:	2002-02-15 08:12:00
Comments:	I am a 34 year old male. I have aortic valve replacement in 1998 and aortic and mitrol valve replacement in 2001. The reason the I had the aortic valve replaced for the second time was because the sutures holding the aortic valve did not hold. My surgeon beleives that this is due to effects of autoimmune disorder associated with HLA-B27 consistent with Ankylosing Spondylins. Once again, there is a leak in the aortic valve and now I am being recommended an aortic root replacement. If anoyone has come across a similar case, please contact me. I am in the process of investigation the effects of the genetic condition on the heart and the likelihood that the problem reoccurs after the aortic root repalcement. Thanks you.

Name:	Liz
E-mail:	jjmlb@aol.com
Date:	2002-02-16 04:45:00
Comments:	My husband had a stroke about 18 months ago--thank goodness there was no physical damage however he has severe mood swings. He used to be very tolerate with most things--I know I can be very trying--but he always took it in stride. Now no matter what I say or do he blows up. He speaks too softly sometimes for me to hear and when I ask what he said he gets very irritated and says he can't speak any louder since the stroke. These mood he gets in are really causing problems in our marriage. Is this normal behavior after a stroke. It seems to be getting worse. Even my friends say they can see a big difference in his moods in the last several months especially. Anyone who can help me please e-mail me. Thank you.

Name:	Scott Christensen
E-mail:	chri0455@yahoo.com
Date:	2002-02-16 07:05:00
Comments:	I am a 47 year old male. I have had shortness of breath, chest pain which at times goes up into my left jaw and down my left arm for the last two years. After going to several cardiologists and other specialists for over a year and a half, I finally found a cardiologist who did yet another angiogram (!) (with a special spasm study). They told me I have severe endothelial disfunction. Also when they did the angiogram they found the descending arterial artery went totally transperant. Since that test last fall, I am on a few different type of medications (including participating in a special six month spasm study). They are also focusing on lowering my weight through diet and exercise. I have also been told that I have what is called "myocardio bridging"? Can anyone out there relate to these problems?

Name:	M. Johnson
E-mail:	mothermaryq@hotmail.com
Date:	2002-02-16 09:28:00
Comments:	This is in response to Mr. Henry. I am so sad for your situation. My husband had a very successful first triple bypass surgery three years ago. He returned to his job five weeks after surgery. Even though he doesn't make me feel like I'm not allowed to be ill, I feel as if anything that happens to me is in no comparison to what he went through. You are allowed to take care of yourself. You shouldn't feel guilty for taking care of yourself. I just read another entry that someone said that if you were in a plane and the oxygen masks fell, you would put your's on first THEN take care of others. What she said meant a lot for me. Let it mean a lot for you. You may not be able to confide in your family but the rest of us know the changes that people go through after surgery. It took my husband two years to get back to himself and he still has his times. Your wife hasn't been surgery free long enough to begin to get back to herself. I would have given anything to have known about this web site when he had surgery and the two years following. I needed someone to talk to, that understood, so badly. So we're here for you. I'm sure that the others would agree.

Name:	caroline
E-mail:	carolinetyler@hotmail.com
Date:	2002-02-17 05:00:00
Comments:	i am 22 and a single mom. i was told this past fall that i have postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome. this weekend my heart rate has been anywere from 45 to 170. i am very tired from all of this. i try to sleep as much as i can. going out for even simple things like shopping for food is hard. last november i fainted behind the wheel in rush hour because my blood pressure dropped to low. if there is anyone out there like me let me know. i am on three different meds that they think may help but have not to much. i am unable to work because i i faint to much and get to worn out the doctor says that people with this problem have normal artires and no real build up, but do get classic chest pain. has anyone esel felt this?

Name:	Leon Terry
E-mail:	Zipcode@charter.net
Date:	2002-02-17 08:21:00
Comments:	Ihave been told by my family Dr. and a nurse that I had a heart attack while on the table during a stent insertion however my cardio doctor and his nurse practioner say I haven't would a second opinion be in order or should I let my cardio doctors word stand up. Please give me an opinion.

Name:	Sharon c/o Pruggles99
E-mail:	Pruggles99@netscape.net
Date:	2002-02-17 12:20:00
Comments:	Hello to all...I am new to this site, just hearing this past week on CBS about their heartscore program on the Early Show and trying to print out information missed earlier in the week about exercise, new procedures and support for caregivers and spouses of heart patients, with that I stumbled onto this site. My husband had a heart attack trauma in April 1997 at age 52 and was lucky enough to heed the warning signs and sought medical attention leading to an angioplasty with a second procedure a few months later requiring a stent insertion into the first site as it collapsed during the second angioplasty procedure. These are my concerns: I have heard that stents have a life of five years? That scar tissue can form around stents to improve or strenghten the artery wall ... also that scaring can weaken the artery ... needless to say I am confused and looking for answers. We are also looking for a good cardiac exercise program that will help us both to lose weight, improve overall health and make our vitality return or am I looking for impossible? Also he is a Type 2 Diabetic, we both have Fibromyalgia and it just seems hard to get started on the right track ... looking for your suggestions. Thank you.

Name:	Tina
E-mail:	tinapaul@webtv.net
Date:	2002-02-17 12:26:00
Comments:	Hello my name is tina and my father suffered a heart attack on sept 12 2001. He ended up having to have a machine put on him to keep him alive its called a biventricular assist device it completely took over for his heart it was a very hard and long process.So on Thanksgiving night he had got a chance for a new life he had a heart transplant.He is home now and doing well.But he had also had a stroke while he was in the hospital before transplant.So he has short term memory loss and has mood swings alot,It is very hard for my mother and I we get so stressed out and sometimes breakdown crying.I know that this was a gift from God.But how do we cope? I feel guilty for being angry,I love my father very much ,But he is so diffrent now.So please anyone going through or has gone through anything like this please e-mail me.I need some support thank you,TINA

Name:	MarySmith
E-mail:	Marysmith20022@hotmail.com
Date:	2002-02-18 03:36:00
Comments:	Is it normal to have pain in the chest and rib cage when you have a heart condition? I have been diagnosed with global hypokinesis and reduced left ventricular systolic function and sinus tachycardia. I have constant pain in my chest and rib cage. Is this constant pain due to my heart? When I carry something, the pain in my chest and breathing gets worse -- and for the next day and for some time thereafter, my chest area hurts so much that I can hardly walk or breathe. If this pain in the chest and rib cage is normal with a heart condition, what do people do to lessen the pain? what do people do to avoid this pain?

Name:	Rijuta Pathre
E-mail:	svpathre@Attbi.com
Date:	2002-02-18 06:58:00
Comments:	I am 54 year old female with lots of health problems like diabetes,sleep apnea,fibromylgia,carpel tunnel and heel spures.I also have 23 year old daughter with profound mental and physical dissability.Six years ago my husband had heart attack which even shocked doctors because he ran six miles a day,do not smoke ,not overweight,normal colostarol and except genetic history no other risk factors.He went through denial ,anger shock anxiety and frustration.We made many changes in our daily life.After few years in 1999 he had to go through bypass surgery with six bypasses.He recovered but one of the graft kept closing every month and he needed to have angioplasty and stents were put in every time He had these prosedures done seven times .Finally the whole graft got accluded and the doctors decided to let it be alone.He then had hurniated disk in last September and he went through that surgery.He is doing better now and is doing his exercises and very busy at work.With all that we have been through we are still keeping good attitude and trying to keep our loves as normal as possible even though nothing is normal when everyone in the house is practically has some disability.I am always been the streanth for every one and try to do every thing for every one but sometime I feel I am not getting enough understanding or affection from my husband as I deserve and then I feel guilty about it because he is the one who has to go through major problems but taking care of my daughter on my own and taking care of the house and my husband and trying to keep everything running smoothly while taking care of my own health is getting hard without pat on the back or any emotional feedback from my husband,I have tons of friends and lot of moral support yet I have this feeling of deprivation of my husbands attention and sometime I feel he is not there when I need him.I have been just giving and giving and not getting anything back.Has any one experienced this feeling? I feel my husband has changed after his surgery and he is so obssesd with his heart problems that he does not address any other aspects of life.We have good marraige and very close family but I am getting afraid of this emotional distance we are experiencing.He does not seem to get it what I am trying to tell him.He feels everything is fine We have came through all the problems but he does not seem to deal with the aftermath of such traumatic events plus our healths are not in top shape which makes everything hard.Am I expecting too much? Am I being too demanding and unreasonable? Is it too much to ask for an ocasional hugs? Has anyone out there gone through something like this and still came out of this fine? I am very spiritually strong person and I feel I am able to handle anything fine Then I do not understand why I am feeling so vulnerable?Please let me know your thoughts.

Name:	Sylvia
E-mail:	sr0art@hotmail.com
Date:	2002-02-20 09:06:00
Comments:	I am grateful and relieved to find Heartmates, thanks to a friend and my own persistence. Last week my husband had a second double bypass, about 16 years after the first one. We were assured that surgical techniques have improved tremendously, and that although Al is older, they are better, and that seems to have been the case. He came home sooner and felt less pain than the first time. So what is the problem? During the time between the failed stress test, the angiogram and surgery, I had time to worry. What surprised me was my growing anger, which threatened to escalate when I realized I couldn't talk about it with my family. While Al made a good recovery from the first bypass, the one risk factor he didn't deal with was his weight. Now I look at the toll it has taken, not only on his heart, but on his overstressed joints that hurt when he walks, acid reflux, the danger of diabetes, and the end of many activities we enjoyed together. Since this was a problem that hadn't been solved before, I was afraid and sometimes despairing and sometimes angry about the future. Not liking those feelings, and the little (?) jabs of anger that I saw escaping, I looked for a support group for spouses. After many dead ends, a friend called to say she had heard about something on the news, and she had taken down the web site. Thank you, Nancy. Even while my search was unsuccessful, my continued efforts got me through some hard times because it affirmed to me that I was worth taking care of. I loved the entry that talked about the need to put on your own oxygen mask on the airplane before you help someone else. Is there any information about how you can lead a horse to water--oops. How you can lead a husband to a diet and help him to drink?

Name:	Elaine Atwood
E-mail:	ea@nbtx.com
Date:	2002-02-20 10:49:00
Comments:	My cousin has had heart attack, massive, now has heart failure. I saw on Health Watch about a week ago Dr. Emily Senay tell about an injection of cells from the person's leg into their heart to strengthen it. I am trying to find out more of this. If anyone knows, I would appreciate hearing. Elaine

Name:	A.J. Morrisette
E-mail:	aj@abellspackrats.com
Date:	2002-02-20 11:27:00
Home Page:	www.heartmates.com
Comments:	I ama 73 year old mail who has had three open heart surgeries, 1979,1986 and 1997. My problem is I have no energy. Any mild to medium exertion causes me to lose my breath. I have been active all my life and this is causing some despair. My doctors say that this is caused by age and the fact of the sugeries. My wife of 50 years worries and cares for me as best she can but age is catching up with both of us.

Name:	A.J. Morrisette
E-mail:	aj@abellspackrats.com
Date:	2002-02-20 11:29:00
Home Page:	www.heartmates.com
Comments:	I am a 73 year old mail who has had three open heart surgeries, 1979,1986 and 1997. My problem is I have no energy. Any mild to medium exertion causes me to lose my breath. I have been active all my life and this is causing some despair. My doctors say that this is caused by age and the fact of the sugeries. My wife of 50 years worries and cares for me as best she can but age is catching up with both of us.

Name:	macbabe (Teresa)
E-mail:	t@blommers.org
Date:	2002-02-21 07:07:00
Home Page:	www.blommers.org/
Comments:	I am a 46 year old wife of a recent cardiac patient…(that was even hard to type) My 52 year old husband had a major heart attack Jan 15th 2002…we will never forget that day and will celebrate it every year, “as the day both our hearts skipped a beat”…he is my best friend and we have been married 23 years. It was the scariest 72 hours of my life...after having lunch at work he wasn’t feeling that good, but it passed for a while and then he decide to head home for the rest of the day…as he got closer to the intersection of our local hospital, his cheat was really hurting…about that time, out of the blue I called him on his cell phone…he said he had just made the decision to go to the emergency room as he was having really bad chest pains and he just knew something wasn’t right…you have to understand my husband, he NEVER goes to doctors, so I knew this was serious…he entered the emergency room clutching his chest, and by the time I had rushed to get there, they were wheeling him down the hall to do angioplasty…I talked to him for a few minutes and then someone took me to a waiting room and said they would know more in about an hour…almost 2 hours later this doctor walks in with his head down, looking exhausted, I will NEVER forget the look on his face…it was a major heart attack...he had a 100% blockage in his left artery and he said his team had to work long and hard to get through as his arteries we found out later, are very small...as soon as they could get that open and a stent in there, the chest pain went away but it was a rough 24 hrs hoping that stent would work and I stayed with him all night... He is doing GREAT now that all 3 arteries are getting blood to the heart...I feel SO LUCK...I could have been a 46 year old widow... This heart attack has a lot to do with heredity, as his father dropped dead of a heart attack at age 45…but at the same time my husband has a “sitting”, “heading crunching” kind of job. My husband didn’t have, and still doesn’t have high blood pressure…his cholesterol was not that high…but is down to 128 with medications…so he was LUCKY! It is has been a month know and my emotions still run hard and strong, off and on… I feel like sometimes there is no life for me outside the kitchen and grocery store reading labels and cooking everything from scratch…he does not cook, as I only work part-time and that is the way it always has been, and we both agree. We are at times laughing and dancing and happy with every moment…and the next minute I silently wonder if it will happen again, and if I am doing everything right to help him prevent another one, cooking wise. At times I feel depressed but have NO reason to feel that way…maybe the idea of losing him, still haunts me? His weight is down, and mine is up a bit… If I wake up during the night, I listen for his breath. I call him on his cell phone at least once a day… His 80 year old mother who I love, calls a lot more often and asks if he is eating his vegetables and walking regular…it may sound funny to you, but to a Dutch family that has grown up on meat and potatoes…it a serious question. A friend of mine says she understands…it has been over a year since she has gone through the same thing…and she still worries about him, but has lightened up a bit… Anyone out there understand???

Name:	Belen
E-mail:	brauly326@hotmail.com
Date:	2002-02-22 01:51:00
Comments:	I was diagnosed with mitral stenossis and underwent open mitral commissiorotomy in 1983. I have been on 2.5 once a day coumadin since then and regularly sees my cardiologist. I like to think I am healthy because I can work and do all my other normal chores. I walk about 3 miles daily, though I cannot walk and talk because talking while walking makes me short of breath. When I went to my cardiologist last week, he told me that I need to undergo another sugery as my mitral valve has worsened. He lets me to decide when to have the surgery, saying I would definitely need it sooner or later, but I might be better having while I am very healthy. I haven't seen the surgeon yet because I'm afraid. I feel so normal now, of course, I can't climb mountain or play tennis, but otherwise, I can do practically everything. I am single and have no children. I would appreciate any thoughts. Thanks a lot.

Name:	Katie D.
E-mail:	Katd56@aol.com
Date:	2002-02-22 03:50:00
Comments:	My husband is 44, and he had a mild heart attack 2 weeks ago. This is his third heart attack. The second one was massive and almost killed him. No one thought he would live through the second one. He won't talk much about his feelings, and he still is in denial. However, we have been eating right and walking again. He has lost some weight, and looks good. It's very hard to go through as a spouse. I remember every sad and scary moment when he had his second one. We are blessed that we caught the last one before it killed him. It would be very nice to have someone to talk to about this. When he was in the hospital for the second one, I found out younger men usually don't survive heart attacks compared to older ones. I've learned alot about heart conditions.

Name:	Marcia
E-mail:	GraMarcia@webtv.net
Date:	2002-02-23 07:03:00
Home Page:	-
Comments:	I just learned of this site,and am so pleased to find it as I have felt so isolated since my surgery for left atrial Myxomas in June, 2001. I recovered well from surgery, with only some sleep disburbance. In January of this year I was diagnosed with atrial fibrullation,\ and started back on medication - Amidarone, Cartia, Digoxin,Warfarin. I have no discomfort or pain but my Pulse was 110, and my blood pressure was elevated (a new occurance). I would like to hear from anyone who was treated for myxomas.

Name:	danny palmer
E-mail:	dcp7@aol.com
Date:	2002-02-23 08:53:00
Comments:	I am looking for help for my aunt. She just had triple bypass surgery on her heart. She says it really hurts when she coughs. Probably from the tube they put down her throat.Can anyone please tell me what she can do help ease the pain. I would also love any other advice because this is all so new to my family and we all seem so in the dark about everything.I would really appreciate any help or advice anyone can give me. Thank you so much.

Name:	alice allen
E-mail:	ahallen_1999@aol.com
Date:	2002-02-26 11:55:00
Comments:	I'M A 44YEAR OLD FEMALE WHOM HAD NO PROBLEMS UNTIL 1-16-02 WHEN I WAS A WAKEN BY PROBLEMS AND HAD A 4 WAY BY PASS ON 1-24-02. DOCTORS TOLD ME THIS WAS HEREDITY AND I WAS BORN WITH CAD. IF ANYONE OUT THERE READS THIS PLEASE INFORM ME OF WHEN THE PAINS OR THE HEALING PROCESS WILL END. IF ANYONE ELSE IS AS YOUNG AS I AM PLEASE E-MAIL ME FOR I CAN ASK SOME QUESTIONS IN REFERENCE TO MY SURGERY. ALSO DOES ANYONE OUT THERE THINK THE DOCTERS DO THE SURGERY AND SEND YOUR HOME WITHOUT INFROMING YOU OF THE PROBLEMS THAT YOU MAY GO THOUGH.

Name:	Kathy
E-mail:	kat_haw@yahoo.com
Date:	2002-02-27 06:53:00
Home Page:	www.geocities.com/heartland/cabin/5204/index.html
Comments:	I had my first heartattack in Sept 2001at the age of 47.The doctor said it was a bad one and the back of my heart was damaged.I was in ICU 2 weeks.I had 2 blocked atteries,one they had to put a stent.I also got pnumonia(misspelled)and a blood clot in my right leg.And was on a ventalater.I was put on Plavix for only 2 weeks,after coming home. Dec 2001 at the age of 48 I had my second heart attack caused by bloodclots in the stent.Now I'm on Plavix for about a year.Jan 2002 I was taken by ambulance to the hospital,I was having trouble breathing.I don't think the doctors really know what was wrong,but I was put back on a ventalater and was in ICU a week.I believe it was caused by congestive heart .When I went home this time I had 2 new medicines to take.One was a water pill twice a day.I take 10 pills a day total.I wonder if the doctor had gave me plavix for a year the first time if it would have prevented the second attack.And if he had gave me water pills the 1st time knowing I had CHF if it would have prevented the third hospital stay.The doctor didn't even prescribe nitro till after I had 2 attacks.All this has been so stressful for my family.I stay afraid worrying about having another one.And I am also angry that this happen to me.I go to cardiac rehab exercise 3 days a week,and I watch my salt & fat.I stopped smoking after first heart attack I had smoked 3 pks a day and have smoked for 30 yrs.Are there any women out there my age going thru the same thing.I feel so bad for my family for they have had to deal with a lot since Sept. My husband calls from work everyday to check on me and so does my daughter from school.I use to be able to babysit my 2 yr old grandson but not anymore I would be scared too. Does this get any better?????

Name:	Annetta Van Andel
E-mail:	vanandel@msn.com
Date:	2002-03-07 06:56:00
Comments:	Greetings! I am a cardiac caregvier. My husband Don had an MI at the age of 45 and bypass surgery in November 2000. He has a family history of heart disease. As an R.N. and a medical family we have done well but like all families deal with it better and worse depending on the events. I am a doctoral candidate at National-Louis University in Chicago. The focus of my study is the learning needs of cardiac caregivers. My desire is to look at the needs of silenced cardiac caregivers such as children, husbands, friends, extended family members, Latinos, Asians, African Americans. I live in the greater Seattle area. If you would be willing to be interviewed for my research study I would welcome hearing from you. Confidentiality is assured. I used the Heartmates program in 1993 when the focus of my study for an M.Ed.was cardiac patient learning needs.

Name:	Netta
E-mail:	netta@nepavo.worldonline.co.uk
Date:	2002-03-14 02:45:00
Comments:	I wondered if anyone has been taking lipitor, and suffered from lightheadedness, I am trying to find out what is causing my problem, and though the doctors have said it isn't, after numerous tests I still have no answer. Netta

Name:	lee
E-mail:	lrkuehl@hotmail.com
Date:	2002-03-17 03:25:00
Comments:	Since being diagnosed with heart failure and being placed on numerous medications I have had a problem with dry skin and scalp. I can solve the dry skin problems with skin lotions but nothing I have tried has helped my dry, flaky, and itchy scalp. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Name:	Pam
E-mail:	pprokasy@arches.uga.edu
Date:	2002-03-26 11:07:00
Comments:	I know everyone's case is different, but is there a general calendar showing what heart surgery patients should be able to achieve at different time periods: like one week, two weeks, etc.? My husband is 71 and had a aortic valve replacement on 4/14/02. The surgeon said it was one of the worse he had ever seen. Anyway, my husband went home on 4/18/02, which is over a week ago. I don't expect miracles, but he is no better now than he was the day I brought him home. I'm so worried. Shouldn't he be somewhat better? Besides the depression, which I understand is typical, he has no energy and no interest in anything. He just snoozes. Shouldn't he be taking short walks, or something?

Name:	felecia
E-mail:	angeliceyescu02@yahoo.com
Date:	2002-03-28 07:02:00
Home Page:	yahoo
Comments:	Well, I'm a 33 year old female, and I have been a little confused! for 2 days I have been having shortness of breath,headache,and it feels like a tighting just over my left brest.some times its a slight pain after that,and its not going away,I have never had heartburn,but I have taken every thing over the counter, and it has'nt phased it,I dont have insurance, so I thought I would ask, for an oppion.

Name:	Martha Fanning
E-mail:	Martha_Fanning@b-f.com
Date:	2002-04-02 06:21:00
Comments:	In Sept 2000 I had a pacemaker and an ablation. I was having spells of my heart running away at 200 beats per minute. I am still having tightness in my chest and I wondered if anyone out there has the same symptoms. I feel pretty good and work every day. But when I walk my chest gets really tight and it scares me. THe doctors do not think there is anything wrong. Thanks

Name:	Antonia Bush
E-mail:	loredana_nb@hotmail.com
Date:	2002-04-06 03:08:00
Home Page:	bobnietta@hearthlink.net( this is akso an e mail address )
Comments:	I had an angioplasty with stents on dec.4th last year. It was a miracle finally I started walking without those horrible burning pains in my calves that extended right to my feet and back of the legs. Alas! after four months last week when I went on th golf course to walk my thre and half miles around it , all of a sudden those pains started again and they stay even after during the day and night I am wondering if maybe the stents closed up and are causing some infection within my arteries. I must say, my right leg, which initially was the worst one to begin with, is also the worse one now. I am a 75 years old very energetic woman. Before this happened i walked 3/2miles every other day and did high impact aerobic the other 3 days. I am not a sedentay woman and also look fashionably young. Everyone thinks I am in my fifties. ( just a little background to give you an idea ) Please let me know what can be done now. Is it possible an infection ? Otherwise why so soon after surgery the return of the persistent paainain? .

Name:	Jan
E-mail:	datapro@csolve.net
Date:	2002-04-06 12:35:00
Comments:	Hello from Canada: I found "Heartmates" as I began my search for information & guidance. My 76 yr old husband had an angiogram this week and the three arteries are 50%, 70% & 50% blocked. He has no pain, but exhaustion on exertion at times. It looks like by-pass surgery is next. We are told to choose a surgeon/ given 5 hospitals in Toronto which is 50 miles away. Complicating this, he has been battling metatastic prostate cancer. I know thoracic surgery means distubance of the ribs & I wonder if this could disturb the cancer and cause it to migrate from the bone to possibly the lungs?? In this day of "specialists" who co-ordinates between the specialist when there are multi-specialty considerations? Hope someone has the answers. Jan Burgess datapro@csolve.net

Name:
E-mail:	ozmond216@aol.com
Date:	2002-04-12 08:23:00
Comments:	I am scheduled for a thallium stress test. Does anyone know of any dangers with this test?

Name:	Becky
E-mail:	Burtboysmom@cs.com
Date:	2002-04-15 09:33:00
Comments:	My 65 y/o father had triple by-pass in late January. No complications, home in 5 days. No heart damage. Was admitted for pain never had a heart attack. Was re-admitted in March for plueresy type pain. My question is really simple, he seems to be having alot of pain and soreness still. He never did any rehab, just walking at home and is walking up to 1.5 miles a day. Is it normal to have this much pain still. It seems to be related to his incision area and ribs it is not like the pain that sent him to the hospital in Jan. What is the recovery process and what should I expect at 3 months. Email any comments, all will be greatly appreciated.

Name:	Gail T. Persichilli
E-mail:	rycasam@comcast.net
Date:	2002-04-18 07:48:00
Comments:	My 50 year old husband suffered a heart attack on Saturday 4/13 and underwent triple bypass surgery on Tuesday 4/16. He's doing extremely well after surgery and we are hoping that he comes home the beginning of next week. What I need to find out is what do I expect when he comes home. I want to be supportive in his recovery. I realize that diet and exercise is a major change in our lives. If anyone can give me any advise on this, I would greatly appreciate it. The one nice thing that has come out of this experience, is that I fell in love with my husband all over again. We have 3 small children (9, 6, 6) that we have to worry about. Any information would be great. Thanks.

Name:	Andrew Logan
E-mail:	AndyLogan1@aol.com
Date:	2002-04-28 02:39:00
Comments:	My father suffered a cardiac arrest three months ago, he was given good c.p.r and shocked with a defibrilator, the consultant told us in critical care that he would probably be in a vegative state or have severe brain damage due to the length of time it took to start his heart, he has gone on to prove everybody wrong and made a perfect physical recovery however he has suffered some brain damage and suffers from confusion and severe short term memory loss, he can tell you what he did 20 yrs ago without a problem but what he did 20 minutes ago is impossible, he also tends to think that he is at work a lot and starts trying to supervise other patients and visitors when he is actually in a cognitive rehabilitation unit, he can also have severe mood changes. Can anyone tell me if this is ever likely to get any better and if there is anything we can do to speed his recovery up and aid him with the memory loss, please e mail me with any help or advice or if anyone has been through anything similair please share your experiences with me. Many thanks Andy

Name:	Dr. Debbie
E-mail:	debrah@bocafed.org
Date:	2002-05-06 05:57:00
Comments:	My 52 year old husband had a stent and an angioplasty on Dec 20, 2001. one month to the day later he began experiencing pain again. Another angiogram revealed that the angioplasty had failed and another stent was done. Less than three weeks later, he indicated that he again experienced pain. Is this normal? It sure doesn't sound it to me................

Name:	marc maturo
E-mail:	marcmaturo@aol.com
Date:	2002-05-06 11:08:00
Home Page:	heartmates
Comments:	I'm a 57-year-old male with a couple of problems: a thoracic aortic aneurysm and aortic valve regurgitation...the problems are related...the aortic root is also dilated... anyone out there who has dealt with similar situation...being treated, of course, and my surgeons are at Mt. Sinai in New York City. I'm aware of the risks in any surgery, especially something as complicated as the one I'll be facing inevitably, so would welcome any input from anyone who has lived through the procedure and lived to tell the tale. thanks kindly.

Name:	Cheri
E-mail:	carquilt@aol.com
Date:	2002-05-09 12:38:00
Comments:	I have just been introduced to this site and have been reading some of the letters. It seems that no matter what condition your heartmate has we all feel pretty much the same, continuous caretaker. My husband has what is called atriel fibrillation or arrythmia. In 1996 he had Maze surgery hoping that it would redirect the extra electrical impulses in his heart, that surgery was just the beginning. In 1997 they tried again to do an ablation which didn't work. He continued to have the arrythmia and it was to the point that he was in arrythmia more than he was in sinus rythym. So in 1999 he had a pacmaker implanted, during the procedure, the doctor felt it necessary to implant a pacer/defibrillator. This was something we didn't plan for and he was forced to retire from his job. At 44 years old you don't think that this is going to happen. Since that time he has had two additional surgeries one was to add another line to his pacer to help it work better, the second was done just this March to replace the pacer because the battery that charges the defribrillator was taking too long to charge. It other words he could have a heart attack before it could give him the shock. It has been a long and hard row to hoe. We have three teenage daughters and all of us are struggling with my husbands condition. He continues to be active, but runs out of gas pretty fast during the day. The effect that his heart condition and the fact he had to retire has sent both of us into depression, but I am the one that isn't allowed to be sick, not allowed to cry, you all know the routine. The caretaker takes care of everyone else and not themselves. I will be checking this site often and see how others are doing. You can e-mail me with any suggestions that make life a little easier for me. One other thing that I have to deal with is the fact that my husband won't listen to what the doctors tell him nor does he make the appointments he is suppose to make. They said eventually he will need a transplant, but if he doesn't do what they say he won't qualify, how do you get them to do this? Any suggestions would be helpful. I don't feel I should be the one to always make the appiontments he is an adult and should be able to take care of that himself.

Name:	Ron
E-mail:	bjay@naxs.net
Date:	2002-05-16 07:18:00
Comments:	Hi,, I recently had to have a Mitral valve replacement .. I got a plastic valve.. and must take Coumadin daily.. I have had this valve for 5 months now.. and since it was installed I have been having sudden and severe pains in my chest and it extends to my arm or arms at times... and seems as though when I lay on my left side I feel it effecting the flow of blood. has anyone with this problelm ,, severe pain... after this type of surgery.. all I am told to do is take nitro. and hope for the best.. I have no reason for this and do not understand why it happens ? if you have asnwers.. please write.. and share your experience with me... I would like to know more than the DR;s are willing to tell me... which is little... Thanks Ron

Name:	Jody
E-mail:	jodydehaas@telus.net
Date:	2002-05-26 10:44:00
Comments:	My mother has lived with Congenital Heart Failure with an extreme irregular heartbeat and angina for the last 18 years. She had been seeing her specialist for the last 17 in London, Ontario. They have given her many medications to stabalize her and have been semi-successful up until my father passed away from a heart attack 10 months ago. She was having difficulty eating and sleeping prior to my dad's death but it certainly didn't help matters.Since then her doctor retired and she has started seeing a new Specialist. On her first visit to see him, he directed her straight to the hospital and admitted her with extreme dehydration. They stripped her of all medication with the exception of one, followed by adding 2 more over a 2 week period. She was released and instructed no sodium and to go to the ER if she felt any uneasiness, she would recognize this feeling immediately. Her levels would need to be balanced at the hospital. Well she did experience an unbalance and made it to the hopital by ambulance to be released 5 hours later, feeling much better. Now her doctor believes she is a candidate for a pacemaker. She is so skeptical and so very shy, and thinks she bugs the doctors too much as it is. What I need is some reference material to pacemakers, success stories, unsuccessful stories. Anything that will help her see the benefits and the obstacles. Real life feedback. Can anybody help.

Name:	Sharon
E-mail:	srosenfeld@earthlink.net
Date:	2002-06-18 10:20:00
Comments:	My husband who is 46 yo had a double by-pass three months ago. Since the operation, he has had great difficulty sleeping. He falls asleep but around 2 am awakes and cannot go back to sleep. Has anyone else experienced this? How long should we expect this to last?

Name:	sherri
E-mail:	lookalik@ptd.net
Date:	2002-06-23 03:09:00
Home Page:	heartmates interactive connections
Comments:	hi, i am a woman age 38 i have just been diagnosed with an ascending aortic aneurism. one night after having chest pains that woke me up during 3to 4am i went to the hospital they did a cat scan an mra same as an mri which showed something they gave me previcid and sent me home.two days later my doctor sent me for some more tests at another hospital and sure enough they found the aaa. i never smoked i also have asthma and allergies to smoke, and other meds. i am so scared. i havent felt the same since i was diagnosed with this , my family doctor is on vacation and here stand in let me in on what was going on within my body. im scared to do anything and at the same time i dont want this to control me but it is. also from the series of first tests i got infection from the iv they gave me how wonderful is that. i went to see a vacular surgeon who now is sending me to the cardio surgeon i cry alot to myself when no one is around i dont want to die at 38 i broke down in front of my parents whom my father may need surgery on his esophogus for an apparent tumor now hes worried about me also and he just turned 72. i am married no children of my own but i have two step children. well in two days i see the cardiac surgeon i pray and hope for a bright outcome.

Name:	anna wolford
E-mail:	wolfordmd@excite.com
Date:	2002-06-25 01:10:00
Comments:	hi all, thanx for a wonderful site. My husband is 39 years old and a firefighter in NYC. He is a large man, beerbelly and a heavy smoker. he has family history ( dad died at 44 from heart attack, brother at 42-same). He has high blood pressure and cholesterol, i am expecting problems sooner or later. i am trying to be on top of it, he is not ready to make lifestyle changes yet. he never complains about any symptoms, but... I have been listeing to his heartbeat lately and here s what i found. in the morning, before he wakes up, his heart beats about 88 times per minute. I thought that is pretty fast. Also in his sleep he snores and sometimes his heartbeat will start pounding and go up to 150 beats per minute. his heart at times beats so hard that i can see the beats on his chest. It is scary, because if his heart is overworking like that, he might have a heart attack, right? I dont know what else to watch for. Oh, and his heartbeat skips all the time. Like every 4 or 5 beats, there is one beat missing. Tell me if there s anything I could watch for. And if anyone has had the same situation around them thanx, anna

Name:	Jean
E-mail:	mailtime1@aol.com
Date:	2002-06-25 07:00:00
Comments:	Hi, I just found this sight last night. My husband had a heart attack last July at the age of 41. It came out of no where! He has a family history all his uncles have had heart attacks and his dad a bypass. His heart went into ventricular tacardia thank God he was in the cardiac unit when this happened as they needed to paddle him back. They rushed him into the cathe lab had one stent placed. Two weeks later he went by ambulance and had another stent. He still has one artery left 70% blocked. I dont understand why they did not do that one also. He is on like 7 different meds. Does anyone know why your heart beat would get so low as to go down to 47 beats a min? I know the meds have alot to do with that but I also know that a low heart beat can be just as dangerous. He still has chest discomfort the docs say it could be nerve damage from the paddles. He exercises ok most of the time, every so often his rate will be like 80over40 something at rehab. He has changed since his heart attack, this I know is normal in most cases. I want my husband back. Our lives are forever changed and we are too young to be dealing with this. It is crazy. We have a 18 year old and 15 year old. My son ignors it, he would not even come to the hospital I never forced the issue on him. It has been almost a year and it seems the mental part of it gets worse instead of better. Anyone have a similar situation? Also it is a lonely place as I am sure all of you know that family and friends as time moves on tend to forget as we still stuggle with the effect this has had on our lives!My email is mailtime1@aol.com Thanks and God bless you all Jean

1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 Jan - Jun | 2000 July - Dec
2001 Jan - Jun | 2001 Jul - Dec | 2002 Jan - June | 2002 July - Dec
2003 Jan-June | 2003 July-Dec

Add an Entry

H E A R T M A T E S
PO Box 16202 Minneapolis, MN 55416
952-929-3331 Fax: 952- 929-6395
comments.questions@heartmates.com

WEB DESIGN BY HANDWOVEN WEBS

1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 Jan - Jun | 2000 July - Dec 2001 Jan - Jun | 2001 Jul - Dec | 2002 Jan - June | 2002 July - Dec 2003 Jan-June | 2003 July-Dec

Add an Entry

1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 Jan - Jun | 2000 July - Dec
2001 Jan - Jun | 2001 Jul - Dec | 2002 Jan - June | 2002 July - Dec
2003 Jan-June | 2003 July-Dec