A Nuclear Stress Test is when you go to a laboratory and they inject medication intravenously. Then you lay on a table with your arms above your head and this huge machine revolves around your chest area while taking pictures of your heart.
When I returned to the Cardiologists office on Friday, he told me the results of the stress test and said my heart was only pumping 20 percent on the left side, and that I had a blockage in my artery to my heart. He told me I needed angioplasty immediately. When I asked how soon was immediately, he said no later than Monday morning.
I made arrangements with my boss to be away from work, and my daughter and granddaughter went to the hospital with me. When I went to check in, they asked me to sign a document allowing for a stent to be inserted if necessary while I was under anesthesia. This would prevent another trip to the hospital and an additional incision. I signed the paper and several hours later, when I woke up, I was informed that a stent was necessary and that everything should be okay in time.
After almost three years and the care of two wonderful doctors, my blood pressure is under control and my heart is beating stronger and almost up to normal speed.
I continue to have high blood pressure from time to time because I lived and work in stressful situations. In fact, my regular doctor gave me a mild anti-depressant to take daily. The blood sugar is the most difficult thing to completely control.
I am having to learn to change many of my ways of life.
I am extremely watchful of the hypertension because my family has a history of strokes. Both my mother and father’s parents had high blood pressure. My grandfather died of a coronary thrombosis, my father died of a massive brain hemorrhage, and my mother has suffered two strokes.
I never thought much about hypertension or high blood pressure prior to my experience. I always knew how it could affect you, but I was one of those people who thought it would never happen to me. I had always been too healthy. Boy was I wrong; it almost killed me.
This kind of experience can really put a new perspective on your life. I am in my 60s, but don’t think this is a problem only older people have. It can happen to anyone at any age. I have friends who can attest to that fact.
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