Had a minor heart attack saturday.

[mikeg313]

Saturday morning went to work with bad upper abdominal pain almost like severe hunger but no appetite. Barely made it through til 2pm but toughed it out. Got home and applied a heating pad to my stomach and start having diarrhea that lasted on/off two hours then fell asleep on the couch. Woke up 2 hours later and went to get up and felt like I been stabbed in the center of my chest. Wife came home from work to take me in to ER where they proceeded to do EKGs , CT scans and and heart ultrasounds while under observation the while night. I informed them completely on my test cycle and supplement usage. My bloodwork was coming back with outstanding numbers and they couldn't figure it out. Then they checked enzyme levels or something and the ultrasound showed my blood wasn't pumping through my heart fast enough but my heart rate was jacked. I'm still a little foggy on that part of the diagnoses since from that point on as i was pumped full if dilauded and everybody went into hyperdrive and a team of EMTs transported me to another hospitals cardiac unit where they preformed a cardiac cath on me. They run a wire up you femoral artery into your heart to clear any blockage. But they found I had no blockage and after the procedure put me on heparin and nitro glycerin to thin my blood amd so on. Upon talking to the cardiologist before discharge he told me my test cycle had absolutely nothing to do with what happened as no enlargement of the heart or abnormal blood levels were found other then the enzyme thing which I don't completely understand but he believed stress and anxiety were most likely the cause. I have had a to of stress lately so it makes total sense but at 34 and in my health I never thought it would cause this even though on the heart attack scale they said it was a 5.2 rating from a scale that's measure 5.0 and up so it was what they called a mini heart attack. The doc said I could ease back into my normal routine in 4 days and follow up in 4 weeks. I know it wasn't the cause but I'm uneasy about finishing my cycle on one hand but don't wanna throw all this hard work away on the other. I lost 10 lbs over the weekend in the hospital and under the circumstance this is the least of my current worries but is something I need to address. If I do my last 3 injections I'm thinking of just going high rep/ lighter weight for the remainder of the cycle thru pct and adding light cardio with gradual build up. Or I could just start nolva in a few days and work out the same as previously stated and the cycle would pretty much be a wash but I could start my next planned sustanon cycle earlier in the summer the originally planned. As for the stress I'm going back to doing what I enjoy, bartending. That may sound funny to some but the money is good with less hours and more time with my family and enjoyable things . I tried a different career path and it's brought me nothing but unhappiness and stress. 60 hours a week and I'm walking with a check that's the same as two good nights at the bar. Anyways , this is alot to take in for the average forum goer I know do based on the responses I get I may repost this in the old guy thread even though I'm a year younger then the requirement there I think the heart attack may have just bumped me a year or so older at least .

( i posted this in the regular anabolic forum but reporting here to hear what those more around my age group have to say and If you guys have had any similar experiences)

 

[GodofWine]

The logic of continuing the cycle despite what the doctors say is careless (in my opinion). You have a family who could not care less how much weight you move in the gym, my days of cycles and squats (bad back) ended the month before my first was born, my goals now are to be the fittest dad at soccer practice, and dance at my grand kids wedding (my oldest is 2 so its a 50 year plan) I still lift...you get the point im going for...be smart, be fit, be healthy. Not trying to be preachy

 

[HondaV65]

stress cardiomyopathy?

 

[JudoJosh]

The logic of continuing the cycle despite what the doctors say is careless

I guess you didnt actually read his post..

Upon talking to the cardiologist before discharge he told me my test cycle had absolutely nothing to do with what happened as no enlargement of the heart or abnormal blood levels were found

 

[HondaV65]

There's really not enough information here to give him any good advice. He says there was no blockage - yet he had a heart attack? It could have been stress cardiomyopathy - or something like it - but usually heart enzymes aren't elevated with that condition. He's had a heart attack - but his Doc says he can "ease" back into his normal routine in 4 days? I haven't heard this advice given before.

Unfortunately - he's kind of caught in a pickle with two bad choices. Who knows what really caused the heart attack - but taking steroids after such an event, even if unrelated, isn't the wisest move in the world. However, his only other choice is to terminate the cycle and put his body through the stress of PCT ... also not a very attractive choice.

 

[mikeg313]

There's really not enough information here to give him any good advice. He says there was no blockage - yet he had a heart attack? It could have been stress cardiomyopathy - or something like it - but usually heart enzymes aren't elevated with that condition. He's had a heart attack - but his Doc says he can "ease" back into his normal routine in 4 days? I haven't heard this advice given before.

Unfortunately - he's kind of caught in a pickle with two bad choices. Who knows what really caused the heart attack - but taking steroids after such an event, even if unrelated, isn't the wisest move in the world. However, his only other choice is to terminate the cycle and put his body through the stress of PCT ... also not a very attractive choice.

Yeah my cardiologist seemed surprisingly loose with his diagnosis and follow up instructions. I actually had to pitch a bitch just to get answers and get my cardiologist to come talk to me while I was there. Maybe it's because I have no insurance I don't know but I wouldn't say my treatment was handled on a very professional level what so ever. He literally said to my face and I repeated the question twice to make absolute sure that heard him correctly that he said I could continue testosterone and I could continue lifting in 4 days

 

[CaseyW]

Just out of curiousity how does that work with no insurance? A whole night and ER visit and all those tests, you're probably looking at like $10K right? I don't have insurance either so I'm basically waiting till something bankrupts me, just curious.

 

[tuberman]

I'd sure want to get a copy of all the tests on you and do my own checking if I were you. If you can afford it, find out who's the best cardio doc in your area and pay for some out of pocket tests by a doc that's good. You need answers. A whole lot of docs, including cardio docs are mediocre at best.

 

[mikeg313]

Just out of curiousity how does that work with no insurance? A whole night and ER visit and all those tests, you're probably looking at like $10K right? I don't have insurance either so I'm basically waiting till something bankrupts me, just curious.

Yeah its prolly around the 10k mark. I have alot of unpaid hospital bills built up over the years. Seems everytime something bad happens I'm not covered at the time. I had planned to declare BK this year anyway but now I guess ill wait til this goes to collections as well. I hate to have to do it but the choices in a case like this are limited . This countries health care system is and always will be ****ed and based on greed just as everything else here is. Don't get me started I don't want another heart attack

 

[GodofWine]

I guess you didnt actually read his post..

You just mistook what I said...I dont care if the doctor said the AAS had nothing to do with it or not, leaving the ER , hugging the family, and then inject ing yourself with roids you did not buy from a pharmacy is not the logical thing to do. At some point in life "its no longer about you", this is one of those times. Im all for the bodybuilding lifestyle, I still live it more then most, but he just had a heart attack...minor or not, he had a heart attack....

I wish him the best whatever path he chooses

 

[mikeg313]

^^^ I've posted more on my reasoning in the other anabolic area , just reposted here for maybe a few hits from the older crowd hoping they'd have some experience.

 

[kiro]

Coenzyme Q10 is helpful to your heart. ubiquinol is best form. If you are not on it then you need to reaserch it. I gave it to my mum who had heart problems and she was told by the doc that her heart has nothing wrong with it after 3 months on it. This is after being told she needs surgery.

Also my pulse dropped 20 beats after taking Q10. During intense squats I sometimes hit 30 reps without my heart feeling it is jumping out as it use to.

This is why I have no faith in the medical system. They try to pump tablets and get you to have an operation so they make $$. sad. Big Pharma loves our $$

 

[larrybailey]

Hey man, I hated reading that you had a heart attack and I hope you are doing ok now! I know we don't know each other but we have been some of the same post. I was like,I know that guy! Lol anyways man, I would do a body cleanse and a good pct and chill! Being ripped with a 6 pack has to be good for the heart! Change your diet if it's bad, there is so much crap in our food. I wish you the best.

 

[rmsshelton]

I wish you the best.
I had to back off my cycle.
My BP
Went from 117/78
To 140/84 in week 6.
I just started PCT to weeks after last Inj.
Back down to 124/80 in second week.
I am thrilled with results I got, but not at the risk.

As for diet.
My best results come from a modified Vegan Diet.
I still have whey protein and Fish, but pretty much had to clean out my diet of other things.

Wish you the best man.

 

[mikeg313]

Thanks for the replies everyone,

@ Kiro, I'm deaf gonna pick up some Q10 soon. Haven't used it in a long time. I'll look into that other stuff too, sounds very promising. Sounds like you come from a family with heart issues as well. I just found out I did after my attack. Not very close with my family.

@ Larry , yeah I was suprised to see my HDL so low with all the avacados and natural PB I eat everyday. My diet has been very clean,all organic I guess would be the next step but who can afford that?

@shelton , I'm pretty bummed bout this happening period but on cycle makes it worse. I've already dropped ten pounds and look noticeably smaller over the last few days. I won't be able to work out hard so I'll most likely lose almost all my gains. Gonna start later next week with simple light lifting and light cardio push/pull ups and what not.

 

[T-Bone]

Hope you feel better soon. When stuff like this happens it really puts things into perspective. When the doctor said "Ease back into it" that could mean something completely different to him than to you. He really has no perspective on how hard you lift or how hard you push yourself in the gym. I'd want a second opinion if I were you. At the ER you never get straight answers. Its just "Get them in, get them stable and get them out.". At least that has been my experience.

 

[mikeg313]

Ya t bone I want to take the docs advice but my gut saying not to. The unsure look on the doctors face wasnt reassuring when I was explaining my cycle and all the info behind it. It was obvious he had barely if any knowledge of what I was saying.

 

[rmsshelton]

A cardiologist really isn't an endocrinologist and AAS is really more their expertise.

 

[mikeg313]

A cardiologist really isn't an endocrinologist and AAS is really more their expertise.

Yeah they should keep their mouths shut if their not absolute rather then possibly lead somebody astray. I was a rather odd 3 days in the hospital and my conversations with the 3 or 4 docs I spoke with from beginning to end were pretty disappointing. My wife says I come off as scary when I speak in person and I actualy think im a pretty nice dude when I'm talking serious. I just get intense when I'm trying to communicate and completely understand a situation.

 

[jsteele82]

I guess you didnt actually read his post..

Everybody read the post. But if your naive enough to think dr's know everything about what goes on in the body your sadly mistaken. I just recently finished medical school and in one of my text books it stated that we only know less than 10% of what happens in our bodies. So I agree with taking it easy for now especially when your a dad.

 

[rmsshelton]

Everybody read the post. But if your naive enough to think dr's know everything about what goes on in the body your sadly mistaken. I just recently finished medical school and in one of my text books it stated that we only know less than 10% of what happens in our bodies. So I agree with taking it easy for now especially when your a dad.

I have to agree.
Time to settle down, and slowly go back into it as in over a few months and with good diet clean bill of health.

 

[mikeg313]

I will handle my shît accordingly. I've been through alot of fuked up shît in my life and have almost been killed by many things. (not tryin to sound badàss is just the way it is, truth of the matter is I'm not stupid , just find myself in unfortunate situations) This is the first time it's come from within which means I'll have to handle it from a different angle but I'll tackle it with my number 1 rule when it comes to injury. Always come back stronger. It's not a terminal weakness ,it's my body letting me know what I need to make stronger in order to make me stronger. Some people are born tough and some get seasoned into it. To bad I wasn't born a badàss cus I'd be getting paid for it, I've just always had the give none take none mentality. Thanks for all your good wishes, it's motivating during a tough week for me. Blessings right back at ya.

 

[larrybailey]

I will handle my shît accordingly. I've been through alot of fuked up shît in my life and have almost been killed by many things. (not tryin to sound badàss is just the way it is, truth of the matter is I'm not stupid , just find myself in unfortunate situations) This is the first time it's come from within which means I'll have to handle it from a different angle but I'll tackle it with my number 1 rule when it comes to injury. Always come back stronger. It's not a terminal weakness ,it's my body letting me know what I need to make stronger in order to make me stronger. Some people are born tough and some get seasoned into it. To bad I wasn't born a badàss cus I'd be getting paid for it, I've just always had the give none take none mentality. Thanks for all your good wishes, it's motivating during a tough week for me. Blessings right back at ya.

Ohhhhhh rahhhhh!

 

[AaronJP1]

Hope you feel better soon. When stuff like this happens it really puts things into perspective. When the doctor said "Ease back into it" that could mean something completely different to him than to you. He really has no perspective on how hard you lift or how hard you push yourself in the gym. I'd want a second opinion if I were you. At the ER you never get straight answers. Its just "Get them in, get them stable and get them out.". At least that has been my experience.

U been a lot too right?

 

[AaronJP1]

I just took a minor sh!t

 

[T-Bone]

U been a lot too right?

Yes I've had my dealings with the ER. You get much better help at a regular PCP office.

 

[mikeg313]

Yes I've had my dealings with the ER. You get much better help at a regular PCP office.

They should give guys like us punch cards. 8 times in 4 years ! Congrats your next visit is free! ;-)

 

[MidwestBeast]

I'm sorry to hear about the heart attack, but am glad it sounds like you should come through unscathed (although losing some mass gains will suck, muscle memory is a heck of a thing), Mike. I'll be praying for your strength and recovery to be quick.

 

[AaronJP1]

They should give guys like us punch cards. 8 times in 4 years ! Congrats your next visit is free! ;-)

That's way too many!

 

[mikeg313]

I'm sorry to hear about the heart attack, but am glad it sounds like you should come through unscathed (although losing some mass gains will suck, muscle memory is a heck of a thing), Mike. I'll be praying for your strength and recovery to be quick.

Thanks bro much appreciated.

 

[mikeg313]

Coenzyme Q10 is helpful to your heart. ubiquinol is best form. If you are not on it then you need to reaserch it. I gave it to my mum who had heart problems and she was told by the doc that her heart has nothing wrong with it after 3 months on it. This is after being told she needs surgery.

Also my pulse dropped 20 beats after taking Q10. During intense squats I sometimes hit 30 reps without my heart feeling it is jumping out as it use to.

This is why I have no faith in the medical system. They try to pump tablets and get you to have an operation so they make $$. sad. Big Pharma loves our $$

Picked up some ubiquinol today, wow its crazy expensive. Hopefully it's well worth the money. I've read good things. Thanx for the heads up

 

[RipdnTxs]

Mike I wish u the all the best and listen to that inner voice of urs. I just went through some heart related stuff and the supposed Arrythmia specialist told me that CQ-10 was worthless and never proven to help the heart at all. I wore a heart monitor for two weeks with no skipped or pauses and he told me my heart was fine, but not to lift over FIFTY pounds for the rest of my life. I was like WTF !!! I just left his office shaking my head...... Good luck to u and life is not all about muscles when ur a dad, Ive had to learn that myself lately...

 

[mikeg313]

Mike I wish u the all the best and listen to that inner voice of urs. I just went through some heart related stuff and the supposed Arrythmia specialist told me that CQ-10 was worthless and never proven to help the heart at all. I wore a heart monitor for two weeks with no skipped or pauses and he told me my heart was fine, but not to lift over FIFTY pounds for the rest of my life. I was like WTF !!! I just left his office shaking my head...... Good luck to u and life is not all about muscles when ur a dad, Ive had to learn that myself lately...

Thanx for the good words.
Wow that's sounds strange after saying your heart is fine to add that you shouldn't lift anything heavy the rest of your life. Are you looking to get a second opinion?

 

[rmsshelton]

I keep coming back to this thread.

I do hope you go and get a second opinion, as to the 50lb max.

Everyone else, let's take care of ourselves too.
Could be any of us, we train pretty hard, push beyond what others will even think about.
Lots to take in here.

 

[mikeg313]

I keep coming back to this thread.

I do hope you go and get a second opinion, as to the 50lb max.

Everyone else, let's take care of ourselves too.
Could be any of us, we train pretty hard, push beyond what others will even think about.
Lots to take in here.

Keep an eye on those drug side effects and know your family health history. Could be what lead to this happening to me. I posted a thread about Arimidex and heart sides after reading up and seeing that it can cause the exact kind of symptoms that I experienced. While rare in most cases they are possible sides and it has to happen to somebody , most of us just always think it won't happen to them.

 

[RipdnTxs]

I asked the Doc. point blank, if there is nothing wrong with my heart ( Ive had stress test and echo and all that stuff done and he found nothing wrong on any of those tests) why could I not lift anything heavy again, his response was " I dont understand the need to lift heavy things and the stress that heavy lifting puts on our circulatory system it could lead to a stroke " He is a slightly overweight Middle Eastern Doc. He also told my best friend who is a RN with no problems the same speech, because we are 45 years old. He said we just need to do cardio type activities and then he went on to tell me the dangers of supplements and how most all are tainted with who know what, I realize the supplement industry has some QC issues, but how many people die a year from prescription drugs. I knew it was pointless to argue with this guy so I just left....

I keep coming back to this thread.

I do hope you go and get a second opinion, as to the 50lb max.

Everyone else, let's take care of ourselves too.
Could be any of us, we train pretty hard, push beyond what others will even think about.
Lots to take in here.

 

[mikeg313]

I asked the Doc. point blank, if there is nothing wrong with my heart ( Ive had stress test and echo and all that stuff done and he found nothing wrong on any of those tests) why could I not lift anything heavy again, his response was " I dont understand the need to lift heavy things and the stress that heavy lifting puts on our circulatory system it could lead to a stroke " He is a slightly overweight Middle Eastern Doc. He also told my best friend who is a RN with no problems the same speech, because we are 45 years old. He said we just need to do cardio type activities and then he went on to tell me the dangers of supplements and how most all are tainted with who know what, I realize the supplement industry has some QC issues, but how many people die a year from prescription drugs. I knew it was pointless to argue with this guy so I just left....

My experience with some Indian doctors is that they give an over opinionated medical diagnosis rather then just based on the facts it seems. Ive had some really good ones but a few had funky attitudes when it comes to people and lifestyles outside of their knowledge and/or experience. I had Indian doc clients in another profession I dealt with that were just obnoxious and thought they were better then everybody. My cardiologist that did my cardio cath was such a dick that he initiated an argument with me on the way out of the O.R. And then with my wife when she walked up. Telling me my diet must be sht and that I had the blood flow of a person on a junk food diet and said more using poor language and tact. It was obvious he didn't even read my chart or he woulda seen that my LDL was at 49. I'm actually making a complaint regarding him to the hospital. Who does that to someone after having a heart attack and a medical procedure that's drugged up on the way out of an operating room?!

 

[RipdnTxs]

My experience with some Indian doctors is that they give an over opinionated medical diagnosis rather then just based on the facts it seems. Ive had some really good ones but a few had funky attitudes when it comes to people and lifestyles outside of their knowledge and/or experience. I had Indian doc clients in another profession I dealt with that were just obnoxious and thought they were better then everybody. My cardiologist that did my cardio cath was such a dick that he initiated an argument with me on the way out of the O.R. And then with my wife when she walked up. Telling me my diet must be sht and that I had the blood flow of a person on a junk food diet and said more using poor language and tact. It was obvious he didn't even read my chart or he woulda seen that my LDL was at 49. I'm actually making a complaint regarding him to the hospital. Who does that to someone after having a heart attack and a medical procedure that's drugged up on the way out of an operating room?!

That was really unprofessional of the Doc, to act in that manner. So have u eased back into training yet and how are u feeling lately ??????

 

[mikeg313]

That was really unprofessional of the Doc, to act in that manner. So have u eased back into training yet and how are u feeling lately ??????

Incredibly unprofessional, my wife was already freaked out cus she wasn't with me when they transferred me hospitals for the heart cath and to have that scene as I'm being rolled out of surgery is insane..... I got back into the gym last Tuesday 9 days after this all happened and did pretty well. I prolly did more then I should but I felt ok and took it slow. Got through my whole chest routine and highest I went was 275lb flat bench 5 times I think or 7 can't remember. I was doing 305 the week before with the same reps so not to far of a fallback jumping back in the water so soon

 

[Patterson]

I had a heart attack November 30, 2010. I was traveling on business in DC and was taken from my hotel to Arlington Hospital - where they cathed me and put in 4 stents. They asked about AAS use - luckily I've never used the stuff beyond a one-month treatment of Test-P that was prescribed for a SSRI-related issue. My cardiac issues are hereditary - my brother had his first MCI at age 32. Dad was 35? I was 47.

But - while snaking the tube up my femoral artery (they don't knock you out!) he explained what happens when one accidentially injects oil-based AAS into a blood vessel, vein or artery. What he described is sorta what you describe. Sure you did not inject shortly before this all happened? A self-induced oil embolism?

Never known an MD that would give self-prescribed controlled substances a green-light...

Just a thought...

 

[mikeg313]

I always aspirate to be as sure as i can to properly inject and my heart attack was 6 days after my injection so I highly doubt that could have been the case. I had started Arimidex dosing a week prior to what happened and upon reading up on possible side effects have found exact symptoms described as I was having described by my cardiologist. Im not completely certain it is to blame, but I don't doubt it most likely could have played a roll or been the lead to the cause. My cycle had been going exceptionally well with only minor ups and downs as I adjusted through it. Thought adding Arimidex could only increase the positive. Needless to say I won't doing that.

 

[Patterson]

Well, good luck. I know as well as you do - an MCI hurts like hell. They had 4 amps of morphine in me while I was being admitted to the hospital. At the time I wanted to pass out. LOL - I blamed mine on anchovies in the pizza. But it was genes...

Oh - question? My cardiologist asked me this (while they were shaving my groin); were you scared or angry when you realized what it was?

He guessed it with me - I was angry. See - I thought that because I took care of myself that I'd "beat" the odds in my genes. But a 15-year delay (relative to dad and brother) isn't quite so bad I guess.

The part that sucks now are the blood pressure meds - beta blockers. Makes it impossible to get as hyped before a heavy lift.