Building Collaterals after 100% RCA.

[Mitch031965]

Hi

I'm 44 and had a mild MI 5 weeks ago, they discovered I had a CTO of the RCA, which they tried to stent but couldn't get the wire through. Subsequent perfusion test and Ct- Angiogram reviled it was a long standing blockage that had been building for 10-15 years. My perfusion test indicated that the area below the blockage is getting 90% flow at 85% of my max on the treadmill, this combined with the Ct-Angiogram has resulted in no further action due to collateral growth. (Luckily my LCA was completely clear)

As its only 5 weeks after the MI and failed Angio, is it wise to start pushing my heart to try and expand the collateral growth. My history is I’ve never smoked always eaten healthily... and done competition cycling/running up until the day before my MI. (In fact I thought it was indigestion and did a 12km run during it which made the indigestion/angina go away).

I've been doing 30 mins swimming in my pool every day and a 4km walk on the beach, but have noticed a mild feeling of heat across my upper back, I wouldn’t call it pain, so I was wondering what should I be feeling is this normal, or am I doing too much too soon.

Thanks in advance for any info.

Mitch

[Mitch031965]

I'm tempted to stop the Lipitor myslef and see if it makes any difference... the ED is reduced the further from taking the Lipitor, what little there is last thing at night before I take the tablet....
... I'm sure my mega low cholesteral and strict diet is wrecking the balance....  it seemed to rapidly get worse with doing excercise....hmmmm  

[Mitch031965]

Ok, another week of cronic ED, the doc has halved my Lipator to 40mg...I'm begining to think something has stripped me of all my testosterone.... low libido...pathetic erections and loss of feeling in the penis....what the F has this stuff done to me.....3 months ago when I came out of hospital everything was fine... now 3 months later its mentally ruining my life....its either the plavix, ramipril or Lipator.... they stopped the metoprolol 3 weeks ago, so I'm assuming thats all gone now.... my BP is down the 125/75 in the morning before the BP tablets.... resting HR at 53....so its back to the docs this week...
My excerice levels have still been good did 2 bike rides over the weekend....  1 x 20km ride and 1 x 40km ride....both holding an average of 160bpm... no issues...feeling good... apart from the ED issue...  any ideas, thoughts anyone...

[ed34]

It is a known fact that the brain uses a lot of your cholesterol to protect the connections between neuron cells. It basically coats them in fat to make a permanent connection. It has been reported on several occassions by different Doctors that some of their patients have suffered memory loss. Is this rare? who knows, it seems everytime a Doctor tries to raise a problem it gets swept into the background and under the carpet, by who I have no idea. I do know that Lipitor has the least number of side effects reported and your cholesterol would have to be off the scale for over 40mg to be prescribed. I have familial hypercholesterolemia and 40mg does more than enough. If you have no severe muscle pains, then I doubt if the Lipitor is doing anything else to you.

[Mitch031965]

Ok, after over a week off the metoprolol the ED is still not any better... so its back to the doctor this week... Lipitor is going to be cut in half (down to 40mg)... my lipid levels are way low and its freaking me out now, I think something is affecting my memory.... keep forgeting stuff and cant concentrate... been on statins 3 months now and the fear factor is kicking in... what else is it doing to me !.....

[Mitch031965]

ok, went to my first cardio rehab session with the trainer today and was really please with my recovery, we did some bike work first holding 160bpm for 10 mins, then some weights, arms, legs etc, then back on the bike to finish, where we did a bit of a stress test to see if there was a threshold I need to be aware of. After a coupe minutes holding 160 we increased the resistance and cadance and increased my heart rate upto 180, which I held for 3 mins... no pain or symptoms, then backed off and held 175 for another 3 mins....(the highest reading was 182)

As you can imagine I'm pretty pleased with the results and all feels like normal, which is great.... !....

[kenkeith]

Thanks for the update.  You are doing well, but it may take some time to adjust to the medication, if not, consult with your doctor.