Hey, what do you want. With a name like Pawlowski and living in Wyandotte,a Polish suburb of Detroit, there was kielbasa, meatballs, pierogi, pig's feet, duck soup and all that fantastic artery-clogging food. Fish was deep-fried only and potatoes were at almost every meal. Eggs every day.

I'll bet some of you got hardening of the arteries just reading that. Yeah, diet is my biggest enemy.

Four stents - never really asked how or why, but they're still working.

Bill,

When researchers talk about reversing coronary artery disease, what they are referring to is known as collateral circulation. Essentially, a person that makes dramatic changes in their diet and goes on an exercise program, one that is involves cardiac workouts such as treadmill, the overall bloodflow in the heart muscle improves. The reason behind this improvement is the creation of hundreds of tiny blood vessels that branch out from the three, main coronary arteries.

Areas that have significant buildup of plaque, which is essentially calcified fat deposits, will remain the same. To date, there has been no effective method of dissolving the calcification, thus my statement about reversing the disease. As I stated, you can slow the progression, and in some cases, stop the progression, but reversal is still not a possibility, at least not where the currently affected are partially blocked.

My background in this area is quite extensive, and while I no longer am active in the cardio-pulmonary and cardio-vascular fields, I still keep up with the latest investigative studies. This is mainly through friends that work in the nation's leading medical institutions, including Johns Hopkins and University of Maryland Hospitals, folks that do this every day for a living.

Most of the current research pertaining to possible reversals, including some that have been published in JAMA and other leading medical publications, pretty much spell out the paramters that lead them to this conclusion. However, most also say the genetic component of the disease is still a problem that will take decades to conquer.

I sincerely hope everything works out for you,

Gary

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Travlin' Easy

Gary, I am going to have to disagree for now. I am almost certain that Dean Ornish' research (and other research I have read) showed reversal of arterial placque. A decrease / shrinkage in the size of blockages. I remember seeing photos. His research was quite revolutionary. I don't think JAMA would have just taken his word on it; he'd have to have proof to get published. I'll see if I can find something to back up what I say.

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Bill
Yamaha PSR2000

The article below specifically states that it can be reversed and cites studies.

Ornish, at the University of California San Francisco School of Medicine, reported the findings of his Lifestyle Heart Trial in the British medical journal Lancet in 1990. Regression was observed in 82 percent of those cardiac patients in the lifestyle intervention group following a regimen of aerobic exercise, low-fat vegetarian diet, smoke cessation and group behavioral support. By contrast, 53 percent of the control patients exhibited plaque progression. This is the first time in the history of medicine that regression, accompanied by a significant reduction in cardiac events, has been achieved with lifestyle changes alone.

link

Here are some more.
http://www.lewrockwell.com/sardi/sardi42.html http://www.thedoctorwillseeyounow.com/articles/heart/reversal_11/ http://www.washington.edu/newsroom/news/2001archive/11-01archive/k112801.html http://www.csmc.edu/6189.html

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Bill
Yamaha PSR2000

Bill about 8 years or so ago my mother had what I call the balloon procedure. Six months or so later she had to have by-pass surgery. It may have been triple. She was around 79 0r 80 at the time. Other than being 87 now and a bit of a memory problem She's getting along.

I hope everything turns out fine for you. At the Shrevereport jam you looked like a mighty young man compared to me and Don. Take care friend.

I've been taking an asprin a day now for maybe 12 to 15 years. When I cut my self now I bleed for a while. I use to cut my self often when doing brick and I would clot up in seconds. I'm convinced that asprin thins the blood for easier flowing for me.

Bill,

A stent is FAR less evasive than a coronary bypass. If a stent works to put off a MAJOR surgery, it would be the conservative way to go.

The difference is MINOR vs MAJOR surgery and the complications respectively.

It depends on what your condition and professional medical opinions are currently. If they suggest the conservative approach, chances are you are not in the target range at this point for coronary surgery. You must get several opinions before making a decision. Your cardiologist best knows the options.

Best of luck. Keep us posted.

zuki

Yep, baby aspirin a day.

There are many heart healthy things you can take for prevention but of all, I'd say that fish oil is recommended as strongly as anything. Consider taking that. If you like it, consider eating cold water fish as often as you can, say, three times a week. Salmon, sardines, tuna, etc. Has to be cold water fish. Wild, not farm raised. But also consider taking fish oil. It's not expensive and helps with MANY things, such as arthritis. But for sure, helping your heart.

BTW, I now carry a full aspirin wrapped in foil in my pocket. Word to the wise... if you feel you are having a heart attack, chew a full aspirin as you are calling 911. It can greatly help chance of survival and reduce the severity. EDIT: For this, it's a full aspirin, not a baby aspirin.


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Bill
Yamaha PSR2000

[This message has been edited by SemiLiveMusic (edited 10-19-2006).]

i'm 59
3 heart attacks at $120,000 each
3 stents at $45,000 each
last one in 2005
now been diagnose with prostate cancer.
treatment will be lupron shots a 3 months
intervals at $3,000 each and up to $65,000 for full treatment. not having insurance,i'm been told to
stop playing and go on welfare in hopes to get treatment. if this don't work i have 2 years to live.
my last day of playing is dec 31.
with regard to the stents, i've had no problems, it sure beats bypass which is well into $210,000

and we complain about the prices of our arrangers? imagine the keyboard i could get
with what i've spent so far ;0. at least i'm alive to enjoy them. oh well,you can't take it with you.

Bill, I had by-pass surgery in 1906, my main artery was 95% clogged. It was done with a new method. A four inch cut on my left side was all that was needed, new tools were invented that could hold my heart in position while they operated.
It’s ten years latter and I feel great. I hope that helps, good luck.

John C.