What did the dr. mean , heart still alive.?

[fluffypurrcat]

Hi, I posted a question in the DR. Forum and had a dr. answer my question, but I dont know what he meant my saying after I should probably have a echocardiagram with left heart catherization and mayby a stent. that my Myocardium was stunned and hopefully still alive and could recover ? What did he mean by this? I am now waiting for an appt by the Heart Dr. . My heart attack was last month, and I am now scared of having another one in the meantime. Thanks for any help.                                               fluffypurrcat

[Flycaster305]

I've sent you a personal email.  Good luck.  

[fluffypurrcat]

Hi, thank you so much for your reply. I appreciate the terms explained to me. How were you after your heart attacks, did you go to the hospital each time? What kind of therapy or drugs are you on now? Hope I am not being too personal.

What did you have to do after your first heart attack, were you watching for anything to keep you alert for the second one? Did the second one come after any kind of treatment, or was it a surprise? Sorry if I sound uninformed, that is why I am on this forum, as heart, cardiovascular conditions are new to me. When your heart is dead, areas that can not come back, what can they do to help you or are you at more risk, than someone who does not have any heart damage?

As for exercise, I am about 25pds overweight, but have been physically fit all my life till I hurt my back in 99, and I have never driven, but jogged and walked between 5-10 miles a day. I can no longer jog, but I still walk a lot and have been riding my bike. My dr. said to be careful and no strenuous activity.As a heart patient, what does Strenouous mean, my dr. told me she was concerned about blood clots or anerusims, bursting, do they contribute to a heart atttack?

          I know I should relax, and I am trying, but I am finding myself tired faster than before and when you are aware of every little heart beat that is louder, faster, or skips in anyway different than before, it is hard to try and act like nothing happened. It is to the point I am afraid to take a bath if my husband is not here and I know being afraid doesn't help. Thank you for the time you took to answer. Someone who has had similiar experiences ( and more!) is easier to talk to. Thanks!        

                                                                            fluffypurrcat

[Flycaster305]

An MI is certainly a stressful event, I've had three so I can sympathize.  What the doctor meant was that your heart tissue in the area of the heart attack hopefully wasn't killed, but only stunned and needs to be awakened. Drugs like Coreg do a great job of waking up these cells.  I'm sure exercise will be prescribed as well.  I have had small areas of the heart die, but I've also had areas stunned and come back.  The terms irreversible and reversible ischemia refer to heart muscle that can't be repaired and that can be repaired.  You can and will in all probability have a healthier heart in a short time.
Fluffy, do yourself a favor and try and relax as best you can, high emotions aren't a good thing for you right now.  Put energy into getting an appointment with the Cardio doctor would be a great way to channel all your energy into something positive.  Keep up posted.