Coronary Heart Disease Support Group
Coronary heart disease is the end result of the accumulation of plaques within the walls of the arteries. While the symptoms and signs of coronary heart disease are noticable in the advanced state of disease, most with coronary heart disease show no evidence of disease for decades as the disease progresses before the first onset of symptoms, often a "sudden" heart attack,...
I have a dilema I am trying to deal with . I had a heart attack in May and had angioplasty with 2 stents , As I learn more about what an internist does and is ,I am slowly beginning to question whether they are valuable to post surgery care or should I remain with the Cardiologist heart surgeon who did my operation ? Which serves the greater purpose and which would be most educated in post heart care ??? I hope that doesn't sound like a stupid question but I have good reason to seek out a valuable answer ...they are age 7, 5, and 1 . I would really appreciate your input into this matter regardless what it is. Internist or Cardiology Heart surgeon ?
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theatre and I are there already. I'm having a very berry tea with crackers, cheese and cherry tomatoes and she's having a joint with some beer and we're both on really comfy recliners on thick pile carpet. we need some help with the decor if anyone is around??
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I'm trying to exercise daily. I was doing fairly well until I sprained my ankle 2 weeks ago but now I'm getting back on the horse. Today I walked over a mile with my arm weights that are about 22lbs total. I was out of shape and it was hard on my arms. I also did my 30 situps. I'm also going to drink a lot of water and try to eat healthy. I do tend to have a sweet tooth but I'm cutting...
You should continue to see your Cardiologist (Heart Doctor) that performed the angioplasty...or any other Cardiologist...but you must continue seeing a Cardiologist. Your visits may only be a couple times a year as long as you're not having problems...but since you had a heart attack with stent placement...you HAVE Heart Disease...so you want to try to prevent further problems...though as good as one can try to prevent it...things still happen, and future heart probs may arise.
You should also have a good family doctor or Internist, aka Internal Medicine Doc...to manage your other medical problems...like colds, diabetes, flu...what have you.
BOTH are needed. Your cardiologist should monitor your heart meds and your cholesterol meds...NOT your Family Doc/Internist.
Don't stop taking your heart meds....you need them...Unless advised by your heart Doc.
Hope this answers your question!
I didn't see that listed on your profile??
If NOT...You need to talk with your Heart Doctor about getting on one....that's a recommended med for someone that has had a heart attack. Helps to prevent future heart attacks by decreasing heart rate and BP. This is an important drug, I hope it wasn't overlooked....
Also, make sure you have Nitroglycerin tabs...they should have given you a script for those...in case you have chest pain again...Always need to keep those on hand as well.
I don't see the point of another angiogram, ie Cardiac Cath, I believe is what he is referring to....you don't just go in and do another cath to see how it looks....ONLY if you are continuing to have problems.
A stress test is ok, should be ran through Heart Doc though.
Checking your blood sugar is good, b/c diabetes is another risk factor for Heart Disease, so definitely want to catch that early if it's a prob for you.
You should be on a Cholesterol Pill...didn't see that listed either...but you should be on one, and they should be monitoring your cholesterol levels, prob every 6 weeks right now to see how you are responding to it.
Keep up with the Plavix...that helps to prevent blood from sticking to the stent...
Sorry you don't have Cardiologists near you...but as long as you don't have tons of probs, you may be OK with a GOOD internist, but if anything major crops up, you need that Heart Doc.