Hi:
"I feel like a walking time bomb. Is this normal?"
This is more normal than one may think.
As various medical literature and the worldwide media have reported, clinically significant (blood flow-limiting) coronary artery disease (CAD), sometimes leading to a dreaded heart attack, is increasing in those in their mid/late 30s to early 40s.
CAD actually begins (the process and progression of) very early in life, even as early as in the pre-teen/teenage years. Fatty streaks (represents the earliest precursor to plaque development and plaque is the pathological hallmark of atherosclerosis) are the beginning of atherosclerosis in the coronary arteries. Soft plaque (more dangerous and unpredictable than hard or calcified plaque) is the early stage of atherosclerosis.
CAD is a lifelong unpredictable (can exhibit periods of stabilization, acceleration, and even some regression) condition.
Coronary stents are only a Band-aid or spot-treatment, as this doesn't address the disease processes and what drives the progression.
Good doctor-patient/patient-doctor communication and understanding is so very important,
essential at ALL times.
Best of luck down the road of life. Live long and prosper.
Take care,
CardioStar*
WebMD community member (since 8/99)
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Be well-informedWebMD
Living with Heart Disease
Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)When you have CAD, it is important to take good care of your heart for the rest of your life....
This is especially true if you have had an interventional procedure or surgery to improve blood flow to the heart....../It is up to......
Recognize the symptoms......
Reduce your risk factors.....
Take your medications......
See your doctor for regular check-ups......
http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/guide/living-with-heart-disease Coronary artery anatomyStarting with the left anterior descending, the most critical, next to the ultra-critical left main.
http://www.heartsite.com/html/lad.html _ . _The symptoms of artery-narrowing atherosclerosis are highly variable. Those with mild atherosclerosis may present with clinically important symptoms and signs of disease and heart attack, or absolute worst case scenario, sudden cardiac death (SCD) may be the first and only symptom of coronary artery disease (CAD). However, many individuals with anatomically advanced disease may have no symptoms and experience no functional impairment.
_ . _Good to know, for the primary and secondary prevention of heart attack and brain attack/stroke
Epidemiologic studies (EDS) have revealed risk factors for atherosclerosis (typically affecting the coronary, carotid, and peripheral arteries), which includes age, gender, genetics (gene deletion, malfunction, or mutation), diabetes (cosidered as being the highest risk factor), smoking (includes secondhand), inactivity, obesity (a global epiemic, "globesity", high blood pressure (hypertension), high LDL, high Lp(a), high ApoB, high Lp-PLA2, high triglycerides, low HDL (less than 40 mg/dL, an HDL level of 60/65 mg/dL or more is considered protective against coronary artery disease), high homocysteine, and high C-reactive protein (CRP/hs-CRP).
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i Quote"Be a questioning patient. Talk to your doctor and ask questions. Studies show that patients who ask the most questions, and are most assertive, get the best results. Be vigilant and speak up!"
- Charles Inlander, People's Medical Society
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It's your future......be there.

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