58 Years Old & Just diagnosed - Help!

[Zelda623]

Last Monday I learned that I have atrial firillation (irregular and elevated heart beat), pulminary emboli (blood clots in my lungs) and probable cardiomyopathy. I've never had any heart issues before, ever. Now I'm on a six month regime of blood thinners to clear up the clots and other drugs to get my heart beating correctly. Once that's completed, successfully I hope, I head toward diagnosis of the cardiomyopathy, it's extent and possible remedies.
My question is how have any of you come to grip with a completely new world that's been dropped in your lap unexpectedly? Last Monday morning I thought I was healthy as a horse, now I'm on a most uncertain path. I love the hear for any who've figured out how t cope.
Many thanks in advance.

[christinalee]

I am 32yrs.old and two years ago i suffered 2 heart attacks one in April 2005 which was a small one and one in August 2005 which nearly took my life !!! also this past august 2007 i suffered a mild stroke. In 2005 i was diagnosed with CAD, onset of CHF and vasal spasms all from poor genetics. I'm still terrified if i allow myself to think about so I stay in a constant state of denial . many nights I cry because i have 3 children ages 13, 8, 6 . when i had the second attack i was home with my 2 youngest who were sleeping and i crawled to my neighbors house . What will happen to them or what if i died right in front of them ???? they have been trained in CPR and to call for emergency help but i have nightmares every night. So i wonder to if I'll ever come to gripps with this life wrecking illness.

[bzmed]

Zelda,  I also was diagnosed earlier this year out of the blue with CAD (Coronary Artery Disease) at 45 ... no blood cholesterol indications, non-smoker, rarely drink, I don't eat a lot of fried foods, etc.  I am still shocked ... I had three stents put in a coronary artery in July.  I have begun to turn the corner (mentally) now and realize that I can slow the progress to some degree by watching my diet more closely and getting on a regular exercise routine.  Subsequently, I have found out my father (who I hadn't really had communication with in many years) has CAD and it was first diagnosed in his 50s.  Salt is also not my friend.  I was amazed to see how much salt was affecting my weight.  I was also surprized to see how much salt is in many foods (even my favorite lemon-pepper spice that I had always assumed was only lemon and pepper has salt).  Best of luck to you!

[vienna13]

Diet is the most important you must do. My blood clots were cleared 2 weeks staying in the hospital, daily. Needle in tummy I was a non smoker, you didn’t say. If you are, must stop. No salt. Hopefully they gave you info on that.
Calculate the sodium intake. You shouldn’t have more than 1600 mg sodium per day. My problem came  out of the blue too,  It was  4 years ago, now I am feeling better then ever on some pills for my cardiomyopathy and high blood pressure.
  I work out 5-6 times a week. Have lots of energy. Only the first year is hard. You will feel like a horse again, just take your pills and keep the right routine. I sure do feel like a horse again :)
  
tons of good info on that site
http://home.planet.nl/~kuij0356/cardio2.htm

[Fionajnz]

Yep, I was 41yo female with a newborn, 2 other young children and a husband who I had yet to nag to death :-)........ and I had the same dx, but no AFib. I am now 42yo.  Basically it came down to a few dark days.  Ultimately I decided that I could think and concentrate on the negatives OR I could concentrate on what I DO have and focus on being in the third that recover well.

Now initially the odds did not seem in my favor and quite honestly they were not. Who wants to hear that you have a 33% chance of making the transplant list  and a 33% chance of permanent heart damage?  However its as much a mental game as a physical one.  I just did not even let myself consider the option of not making it, would not let it enter my thinking.  I just focused and did what I could, was proactive with my health and whilst I am still dealing with some issues, for the most part at least, I think my heart is doing fairly well.

GL, you can do this, its just another challenge for you in your life.  Finally remember you have one life and its worth living, you are not supposed to sit waiting for imminent death, that said its the one sure thing in life, we all have to face our own mortality.

Hugs.  Hope you feel better soon.

Fiona

[Sweetwaterguy]

I, too, have dealt with atrial fib.  You might be surprised how common a fib is among people our approximate age.  A fib is not a life threatening condition unless you ignore it and don't treat it.  I have several friends who have it and control it completely with medication.  If meds don't work, there are other options, one being an ablation.  I had that done in December and it appears to have successful.  I am not taking any medication other than a statin for cholesterol and a daily aspirin.  
A fib alone should not cause you to have any change in your lifestyle, nor should it affect your life expectancy if you keep it under control.  
   My sister and a friend both have had cardiomyopathy.  Both were successfully treated and the condition reversed.  I don't know exactly what the long term implications are, but it also appears to be a condition that is treatable.  
   I found encouragement reading "The South Beach Heart Program" by Arthur Agatston, the South Beach Diet guy.  Agatston is a renown cardiologist, and he writes about aggressive prevention of heart disease.  
   One thing to keep formost in your mind is there are things you can do, and if you follow good medical advice and maintain a good diet, exercise, and a positive outlook, there is no reason for you not to enjoy a normal life expectancy.  Once all this settles in for you, you will discover that, too.