Guard your Heart
Restored from the Empower Network archive (2011–2017), lightly edited to meet our current advertising standards. Views are the original author’s.
Guard your Heart
We all know that your heart beats to keep the blood and oxygen flowing in your body. But sometimes things happen that causes problems with the old ticker as my Papaw used to say. How many stories have you heard of or maybe know someone personally where they came in from outside getting grass, sat down and was gone, or someone going to bed at night and never waking up in the morning. More than likely it was because their heart stopped.
My Papaw on my father’s side, back in 2004 was diagnosed with congestive heart failure. When I first heard this I became concerned, as when you hear the world failure it typically is not good. I was told that blood pressure medicine would help with his heart issues. At the time he was 93 years old. In the beginning he was on oxygen, but then came off of it. He lived just pass his 96th birthday. My Mamaw passed away at age 77 of a massive heart attack.
On my mom’s side, her mom had fluid buildup around her heart, and basically she drowned. Her dad passed away of lung cancer (heavy smoker).
Now advance to me, someone who is on kidney dialysis for just over two years now. Amazing how when the body is out of whack things start to go wrong. In the summer of 2011 I was told that my heart was operating 2 or 3 out of 6 cylinders. So I was in congestive heart failure. I was told that taking a couple prescriptions for blood pressure medicine would hopefully get my heart stronger.
Because I am on the transplant list, the transplant team wanted me to have a heart catheter done. So I did, and a small blockage was found, and they put in a stent. When I followed up with the cardiologist he then wanted to do an Electrocardiogram (EKG). The results showed that my left ventracule was at 27%. The nurse called with the results, and stated “your probably feeling really tired.” I told her I was, knowing that dialysis will cause most of my tiredness, but thought it was more because I was burning the candle at both ends.
Heart Insurance Policy
So today I saw another doctor who specializes in placing ICD (interplantable cardioverter defibrillator). This little thing fits into the palm of my hand is about ½ thick. Basically the doctor told me that it will not make my heart or me feel better. Which stinks because, I was originally told I would feel better after having it put in. He told me it was more of an insurance policy. He said that if I was in my 80’s he would tell me to reconsider. But since I’m still young enough with at least 20 – 30 years, I needed to do it. Anyway the procedure will be about an hour long, with an overnight hospital stay, and I can’t drive for a week……really.
I know one thing; I will not let this little thing get me down. I believe everything happens for a reason. I know that everything will work out.
Heart Symptoms
Some symptoms of heart problems are:
- Shortness of breath
- Chest discomfort
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Changes in vision
- Fainting or feeling faint
My heart problem was primarily caused by my hemo dialysis or the ecoli peritonitis that I got. But for some it could be other issues. If you are experiencing any of the above, have your heart checked it out with your doctor.
Blessings,
Carla
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