My cardiologist called me this week. “Why is Dr. P calling me?,” I wondered, “why is she calling me?” “Your CAT angiogram came back and you know that plaque build up that I thought I saw on your Stress Test a few weeks ago…well, it showed up on the CAT Scan…you have about a 30-40 percent build up of plaque in one of your arteries.”
“OMG…OMG…what am I going to do?,” I don’t want to have a heart attack at 50 years old. I thought I was in great shape. I do my weight circuit at the gym and I go on the treadmill too (well, most of the time I go on the treadmill at least 20 -30 minutes…but I walk…I don’t run). I watch my diet most of the time (okay, I do cheat sometimes. I do enjoy my desserts…pies are my favorite, especially strawberry rhubarb pie and what is a pie without the fattening crust. I like a juicy burger occasionally too. Will I have to become a vegan now?). And I’m doing yoga now too, to help me de-stress.
As my mind calmed down, I sat back and listened to what Dr. P had to say.
“It’s nothing to worry about right now. We usually don’t do anything unless the build up is close to 70 percent,” said Dr. P. “You can always do a catherization to really check how bad it is, but I wouldn’t advise it right now. Keep up with your cholesterol medication, keep exercising, and see me in four to six months.”
“Great,” I thought, “now what do I do…I worry.” Am I a walking time bomb? Is one of the arteries leading to my heart ticking away? I really better watch my diet now. I better start exercising more. But how do I do this?
Should I stop sleeping so I have more time to exercise? No. Should I stop eating so I have more time to exercise? No. Should I stop blogging so I have more time to exercise? Absolutely not. My smart friend who counsels patients on ways to improve their health says I should do more cardio exercise to help get rid of the plaque. That sounds like a good idea.
So…tonight, I went to the gym at the hotel I am staying at. I went straight to the treadmill and I pushed the button to ‘cardio’ workout. I was ready to build up a sweat.
“I can do this,” I said to myself as the elevation started to rise.
“Yes, I can do this,” I told myself as the elevation continued to rise even more.
“I think I can…I think I can do this,” I cried as the elevation seemed to be rising as high as Mt. Everest…or at least it felt that high to my 50 year old knees as I tried to keep pace.
“Nope, this isn’t going to work,” I thought as my feet started sliding backwards instead of forwards. “Nope, this cardio workout is not for me.”
I tried to push the button to change the workout back to my cardio lite pace…but the button got stuck. I pushed and pushed until finally the treadmill slowed down. If it didn’t slow down I decided I would just jump off…I would just jump off that cardio treadmill. Thankfully, after the third try the incline went back to zero…and I went back to finishing my 30 minute walk.
No, I don’t think these cardio workouts are going to work for me. I’ll have to get rid of my plaque another way. Maybe I should read the book I saw mentioned in a recent Seniors Resource Guide called “The Heart Repair Manual:The Philadelphia Formula for Preventing and Reversing Atherosclerosis” written by Dr. Nicholas L. DePace.
Dr. DePace says that “Running for one hour or more per week, is an extremely good level of intensity to get a cardio-protective effect. If one rows one hour per week, takes brisk walks for 30 minutes a day, or lifts weights for 30 minutes or more a week, they can reduce their risk of heart disease by about 20 percent, which is still significant, although not as much as the more active running program.”
I will keep up my yoga so I can handle my stress better. I will keep eating my lowfat Activa yogurt so my digestive system stays healthy. I will keep up my strength training so my muscles stay strong. I will promise to take my cholesterol medication every day. But, the cardio workouts will have to wait for a while. My knees need some tender loving care before I start running again.
Judi
Hi Judy, it was nice to meet you at lunch today. You can check out my blog at I Speak of Dreams. I look forward to getting to know you.
I solved my worry about cholesterol et al . . . I just don’t get tests!
I’m ashamed to admit it but I’m one of those “ostrich” people – I stick my neck in the sand and pretend it doesn’t exist!
I do however find myself eating healthier attempting to slow down my workaholic behavior!
it is all so typical…Lets change..and after a few weeks return to old habits. Those old habits die hard…One little change at atime will work great..Carol Stanley author of boomer book “For Kids 59.99 and Over…www.carolstanley1.com
You will do fine do not worry!! Just keep eating healthy (with the occasional slip) and get your daily dose of exercise and it will be okay!! Keep smiling, much love!
That’s a scary phone call. It sure would get ME to start exercising more.
Hi Judy
Gee, were we really all together at BlogHer’08 just a couple of days ago? I don’t know about you, but that conference was so jam-packed for me that I’m still whirling.
It was great to meet you at the MidLifeBloggers.com Meetup on Friday. I must confess I was amazed at the number of women there. I thought that maybe one or two might drop by–. Just goes to show that we have the potential to be a force to be reckoned with.
I’m going to put you on the MidLifeBloggers.com Blogroll, and I hope you will decide to write for us. Let me know….
Best,
Jane
http://midlifebloggers.com
http://byjane.blogspot.com
Sounds like you are doing everything to be as healthy as you can. I owuldnt worry at all. Its the people that dont do anything or have no idea of theri state of health tht are in trouble. This is a fantastic blog and I am going to put a link on mine.