Heart and Health

With nearly a year since my little scare with heart trouble and an operation to insert 2 stents in my 95% clogged arteries, it is time for an update.

Over the last couple of weeks I was able to complete a nuclear imaging test and stress test to compliment the echocardiogram I had just six months ago. The results were exactly what I expected and perhaps a bit better than my cardiologist suspected.

First came the nuclear imaging. that is one of the most uncomfortable tests anyone would have to go through. Laying on a table as still as humanly possible while a camera rotates 270° around your body snapping picture after picture. Thirty minutes of not moving with one arm over your head and the other by your side. Not comfortable at all. That is how I spent the first part of my Monday morning just last week. After this test its a half hour wait until the treadmill.

The second test was a treadmill test. I would like to mention at this point that I hate running, please keep this in mind as you read the rest. I admire and also think people who run are mentally challenged. Why on earth would you subject yourself to such pain where the only immediate reward shin splints, worn knew and hip joints!

A point of perspective, the last treadmill test I was scheduled for was February 2008. I made it exactly 0 minutes and ran 0 steps. So I could only improve from there. Did I mention that I hate running. So with that base to build on I started the test, 3 minutes walking with the technician constantly asking if I was ok. Then a warning at 2:30 that in 30 seconds the speed will increase and so will the slope. At 3 minutes I am now walking briskly and my heart rate is just slightly elevated. Again trying to have a conversation with the technician. at 5:30 a warning that the treadmill will increase the slope and speed. Six minutes and now I am jogging uphill, still I can see the monitor and I am not quite up to the level needed to call this a successful stress test, must continue on to at least 60% of my maximum calculated heart rate.. This just sucks! I hate running! Again at 8:30 a warning that it will go faster and higher. Now 9 minutes into the test and I am at a full run uphill. This is hard and I am not enjoying any part of this test,  I hate running! At 10 minutes the technician warns me that she needs 1 minute to slow me down so if it gets to be too much I need to tell her in advance. Just shy of 11 minutes I tell her I am done, only I am not really done, remember that one minute advanced notice. I hate running! So now I have to continue for one more minute and hope I gave enough time to stop this thing before it goes faster and higher at the 12 minute mark. Wow, finally done at 11:50, made it just in time, also managed to make 99% of my calculated maximum heart rate. It was a good test. I hate running.

Now another half hour – forty-five minute wait just to lay on that table again for another 30 minutes while the camera rotates 270° around my body taking a series of pictures. Nearly 4 hours after arriving at the cardiologist’s offices I am done.

This week I returned to get the results and to get yelled at by the cardiologist, or at least that is what I thought. I did not get yelled at, even though I took myself off of Plavix as a result of my Veteran’s Day accident. I actually think the Doctor was surprised at the results of the stress test. Well let’s try to see why, last year 0 minutes, this year 11:50. I guess that is an improvement. A frank discussion and the conclusion was that the damage I did last year is still there but it is no worse. My heart muscle efficiency which was measured at 45% last year is now at 55% which is precisely normal. According to the echo from 6 months ago there is no damage, according to the treadmill test last week there is no damage, according to the imaging test there is damage. The conclusion is that the damage is slight and will not affect my riding.

Now all we need is a new tandem frame and some nice weather. Did I mention that I hate running.