wonderman4
Well-Known Member
I was visiting my Endocrinologist one day and she asked if I had a Cardiologist. When I said no, she hand wrote a list of three names of cardiologists. I picked one, made the call and the appointment. Her explanation was that being diabetic, some nerves don't always work as they should.
I went to the cardiologist, and he wanted me to start out with the calcium scan. That was not covered by insurance, so I paid the $119 out of pocket. I flunked that one. Next was the stress (treadmill) test. I almost made it the complete course, but my arms gave out and I had to quit on the last leg. By the way, I was wearing my "hiking" boots at the time mainly because I wore them all the time.
Next appointment he told me something is there but I can't identify what. So, next came the catheterization thru the wrist. The cardiologist identified blockages of 95%, 70%, 60%, and 50%. I HAD NO SYMPTOMS WHAT SO EVER. No chest pains at all.
My Primary care physician described me as a heart attack waiting to happen.
The cardiologist told me he wanted bypass surgery. He stated that stents had a limited life span and he wanted to do something more permanent. So, I had quadruple bypass. Recovery was a hard even though I had no pain afterward. Believe me, it hurt like hell to cough, and still does some close to 2 years later.
I have always had a very active lifestyle and never considered heart disease as something to worry about. My thoughts on that have since changed. I am over 70 yrs old and walk most days 1-2 miles, sometimes a little more. I ride a bike 2 days each week and I lift weights 3 days each week. I consider my self extremely lucky that GOD pointed me to the Endocrinologist who literally saved my life. And, I told her that face to face. I told the cardiologist that she saved my life. He agreed.
I went to the cardiologist, and he wanted me to start out with the calcium scan. That was not covered by insurance, so I paid the $119 out of pocket. I flunked that one. Next was the stress (treadmill) test. I almost made it the complete course, but my arms gave out and I had to quit on the last leg. By the way, I was wearing my "hiking" boots at the time mainly because I wore them all the time.
Next appointment he told me something is there but I can't identify what. So, next came the catheterization thru the wrist. The cardiologist identified blockages of 95%, 70%, 60%, and 50%. I HAD NO SYMPTOMS WHAT SO EVER. No chest pains at all.
My Primary care physician described me as a heart attack waiting to happen.
The cardiologist told me he wanted bypass surgery. He stated that stents had a limited life span and he wanted to do something more permanent. So, I had quadruple bypass. Recovery was a hard even though I had no pain afterward. Believe me, it hurt like hell to cough, and still does some close to 2 years later.
I have always had a very active lifestyle and never considered heart disease as something to worry about. My thoughts on that have since changed. I am over 70 yrs old and walk most days 1-2 miles, sometimes a little more. I ride a bike 2 days each week and I lift weights 3 days each week. I consider my self extremely lucky that GOD pointed me to the Endocrinologist who literally saved my life. And, I told her that face to face. I told the cardiologist that she saved my life. He agreed.