A friendly admonition via a dovetail, not a lecture.

[Bob Marino]

A some may know, my brother passed on last week secondary to a cardiac event - heart attack or fatal arrhythmia, we don't know at this time. He was 66. What very few know is I lost my sister-in-law, Diane 4 months ago in a similar manner, she was 58. Both died quickly and unexpectedly and way too early.

Disclaimer - I am not a doctor, nor have played one on TV, just someone more than a  little familiar with unfortunate cardiac events. We are fortunate enough now with all the medical advances and medications currently available to be able to help lower our risks of succumbing to these fatal events. Here is something - most of us, especially those over 50, particularly those with a family history, should be aware of. It is called a Calcium Scan and is used to measure plaque build up in the coronary arteries, which can be predictive of blockage. This is from the Mayo Clinic.http://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/heart-scan/home/ovc-20201884.

My doctor suggested - and I did have one done some months back. It takes all of 10 minutes, IS NON-INVASIVE, has become affordable and is covered by most insurance companies. This is only one of the tests - besides blood level testing, stress tests, angiograms, etc that can signal trouble ahead and allow for an earlier, safer  treatment, so it's something to at least consider and ask your doctor about. If your doctor is not familiar with this test, get another doctor.

Perhaps, 20 years ago, if my dad would have had that test done a few years before they discovered by way of angioplasty, that he had severe blockages and required a quadruple Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG), he could have avoided that operation. He subsequently died 10 days later.

I have heard often from those who say "when your time is up, your time is up, there is nothing you can do." Nonsense. While there are absolutely no guarantees of anything (death and taxes excluded) in life, this is just one of the many ways to lower your odds for yourself and/or a family member. In today's world, with technology so readily available, it's simply not prudent not to avail ourselves of these things. Not a lecture, just some heartfelt - no pun intended.

 

[John Bates]

My condolences for your loss Bob and thanks for the warning. I had a mini stroke about 12 years ago despite what I thought passed for looking after myself. I do intend to live forever and have taken some steps to improve my lifestyle.
Best wishes.
John

 

[McNally Family]

I have heard often from those who say "when your time is up, your time is up, there is nothing you can do." Nonsense. While there are absolutely no guarantees of anything (death and taxes excluded) in life, this is just one of the many ways to lower your odds for yourself and/or a family member. In today's world, with technology so readily available, it's simply not prudent to avail ourselves of these things. Not a lecture, just some heartfelt - no pun intended.

Adding to this sound advice regarding having your heart checked out, I would like to add it is also a very good idea for those of us over the age of 50, to have a Colonoscopy.  Ten years ago when I was 50,  I had my first, and only had one pre-cancerous polyp to remove.  Last month I had my second, and had 10 pre-cancerous polyp's removed.  Now I am considered high risk, and need to go back every three years for another Colonoscopy, which I don't mind if it will save my life. 

 

[Bob Marino]

I have heard often from those who say "when your time is up, your time is up, there is nothing you can do." Nonsense. While there are absolutely no guarantees of anything (death and taxes excluded) in life, this is just one of the many ways to lower your odds for yourself and/or a family member. In today's world, with technology so readily available, it's simply not prudent to avail ourselves of these things. Not a lecture, just some heartfelt - no pun intended.

 

Adding to this sound advice regarding having your heart checked out, I would like to add it is also a very good idea for those of us over the age of 50, to have a Colonoscopy.  Ten years ago when I was 50,  I had my first, and only had one pre-cancerous polyp to remove.  Last month I had my second, and had 10 pre-cancerous polyp's removed.  Now I am considered high risk, and need to go back every three years for another Colonoscopy, which I don't mind if it will save my life. 

  True. Way back in the 70's, when I was studying to becoming a Respiratory Therapist, one of the instructors who was an RN, taught us Anatomy and Physiology and a couple of other courses and what  she said at the outset was "the patient is more than a pair of lungs." And in my post, I understand the person is not just a heart. But your advice is on target. The body is a somewhat like a machine - lots of different parts and systems that are integrated and need attention.