quote:
I know the news won't be good on me.
I know how you feel about that, coach.
My doctor had been after me to have heart tests done for several years. I had part of the work done, but didn't finish all the tests probably more than five years ago.
I had promised my family that I would get the work done. 50 and too much weight.
Then in September of 2007, my 48 year old brother, almost a picture for health, died after cooling down on an exercise bike after a six mile run.
Morbid as it might sound, I went through every word of his autopsy trying to understand why he died.
Every system tested was commented as unremarkable. But his left coronary artery (that is the artery that the hear uses to pump blood to itself) was 90% blocked from one end to the other. And, there was signficant build up in his aorta, too.
Those tests would have likely saved his life.
So, I was a reluctant to schedule the tests. But, I had problems with my knee, and, the doctor wouldn't do the surgery without a heart doctor clearance.
I had all the types of heart tests for blockages. Each offers different results and interpretations.
Now, they can do an MRI of the heart that graphically depicts the buildup in the main arteries.
With all the factors present for likely problems, including the death of a family member, I feared the worst, too.
But, I have very nominal build up in one of my arteries and the rest are less than that.
So, the news can be good in the face of pretty overwhelming odds, and, now there are bench marks to monitor my health annually.
It takes time and money, but get it done.............
Atherosclerosis is a leading cause of death, that, with testing, in many cases can be easily treated and cured.
Good luck tomorrow, coach.
