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Comrades,
I just wanted to take a minute a speak about getting yourself checked out regularly, especially as you start getting past 30. I had an unpleasant experience this past Christmas Eve, and I thought I'd share it with you just to put the record straight, especially with the rumour mill running the way things are these days, and to maybe give you something to think about as well.
On Christmas Eve I went for a short walk to take in the stars and some fresh air. On my way home, I had a massive chest pain that hit me like I'd never had before. I have Asthma, but it's usually really under control, and at first I thought this was just an attack coming on, but though I was within a half-block of my house, I was in fear of actually making it to my front door. Fortunately, I was able to get inside, and had my son call 911. I spent my Christmas in the ER, being diagnosed with Angina Pectoris, brought on by the narowing of an artery. After a follow-up with my personal physician and a stress test at the cardiologist, I was scheduled for an angiogram yeesterday, the 20th, where it was discovered that I had one artery 90% blocked and another 60-70% blocked. I was immidieatly transferred down to Maine Medical center where they performed an Angioplasty and inserted two stents to open the arteries and restore the blood flow. I've just returned home, and although I'm quite sore, I feel 100% better, and much relieved that it wasn't worse than it was. It could have been much worse.
The problem I had is one that could happen to any of us, as the narrowing of the arteries comes on so slowly that you may not have any symptoms at all until it strikes you, and then it might be too late. My condition apparently came on as a result of other medical complications I had this last year. I thought my occasional shortness of breath was just being a bit out of shape, due to nursing an achille's injury and a hernia. It was, after all, the first warning signs of a more serious condition, and the more I tried to get into shape, the less it bothered me, although actually growing worse with time.
What I'm getting at is that even if you exercise regularly and watch your diet well, there is no excuse for not having a stress test to see what your cardiovascular system is really doing. Don't ignore the signs, chest pain, shortness of breath, tiredness, muscle aches and pain in your arm, shoulder, or neck. It's not worth risking your life ignoring it, and as I found out, it can come on very quickly and very hard.
The proceedure I underwent was not overly painful, but it wasn't a lot of fun either, especially when they start inserting tubes into the femoral artery, and I'll be on very light duty for another week or so. After that, I'll be slowly working back into shape and getting ready for the upcoming campaigns.
Anyway, that's probably more than you really wanted to hear, but it's something that I feel needs to be said. No matter hopw great a shape you might think you are in, you really ought to take the time to make certain that those little nagging pains aren't a sign of something more serious. Diet, exercise, and stress reduction are the keys, along with a good sit-down talk with your doctor.
Thanks to all those who have called and emailed me with encouragement. I appreciate the comradeship, and am looking forward to a great year.
respects
I just wanted to take a minute a speak about getting yourself checked out regularly, especially as you start getting past 30. I had an unpleasant experience this past Christmas Eve, and I thought I'd share it with you just to put the record straight, especially with the rumour mill running the way things are these days, and to maybe give you something to think about as well.
On Christmas Eve I went for a short walk to take in the stars and some fresh air. On my way home, I had a massive chest pain that hit me like I'd never had before. I have Asthma, but it's usually really under control, and at first I thought this was just an attack coming on, but though I was within a half-block of my house, I was in fear of actually making it to my front door. Fortunately, I was able to get inside, and had my son call 911. I spent my Christmas in the ER, being diagnosed with Angina Pectoris, brought on by the narowing of an artery. After a follow-up with my personal physician and a stress test at the cardiologist, I was scheduled for an angiogram yeesterday, the 20th, where it was discovered that I had one artery 90% blocked and another 60-70% blocked. I was immidieatly transferred down to Maine Medical center where they performed an Angioplasty and inserted two stents to open the arteries and restore the blood flow. I've just returned home, and although I'm quite sore, I feel 100% better, and much relieved that it wasn't worse than it was. It could have been much worse.
The problem I had is one that could happen to any of us, as the narrowing of the arteries comes on so slowly that you may not have any symptoms at all until it strikes you, and then it might be too late. My condition apparently came on as a result of other medical complications I had this last year. I thought my occasional shortness of breath was just being a bit out of shape, due to nursing an achille's injury and a hernia. It was, after all, the first warning signs of a more serious condition, and the more I tried to get into shape, the less it bothered me, although actually growing worse with time.
What I'm getting at is that even if you exercise regularly and watch your diet well, there is no excuse for not having a stress test to see what your cardiovascular system is really doing. Don't ignore the signs, chest pain, shortness of breath, tiredness, muscle aches and pain in your arm, shoulder, or neck. It's not worth risking your life ignoring it, and as I found out, it can come on very quickly and very hard.
The proceedure I underwent was not overly painful, but it wasn't a lot of fun either, especially when they start inserting tubes into the femoral artery, and I'll be on very light duty for another week or so. After that, I'll be slowly working back into shape and getting ready for the upcoming campaigns.
Anyway, that's probably more than you really wanted to hear, but it's something that I feel needs to be said. No matter hopw great a shape you might think you are in, you really ought to take the time to make certain that those little nagging pains aren't a sign of something more serious. Diet, exercise, and stress reduction are the keys, along with a good sit-down talk with your doctor.
Thanks to all those who have called and emailed me with encouragement. I appreciate the comradeship, and am looking forward to a great year.
respects
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