Just wondering

[CTYankee]

Last November I suffered a heart attack and like many others I refused to admit that it was happening to me so I failed to do anything until the day after only to find out I was lucky to be alive. I was admitted to the hospital, stayed two days had all the tests but no procedures. I was told that my ejection fraction is 52 and I have sustained a medium amount of damage to my heart. My cardiologist has placed me on the normal meds ( Clopidogrel, Vytorin, Atenolol, Lisinopril and low dose aspirin). My concern is the article I read in the Consumer Reports Medical Report. QUOTE: "Nearly half of the people who suffer a heart attack prior to the age of 65 will die within 8 years." Now being 58 I have to wonder if this is true and if so what determines ones' outcome. Any words of widom or advice would be welcomed.

[started04]

Hi CTYankee,

Heart attacks (MI) damages heart muscle, and the heart's ability to adequately pump due to a loss of contraction functionality causing heart failure. Heart failure is an EF below 29% and normal is 55 to 75%. Your EF is 52% and there appears to be very little damage, if any, to the heart muscle. Three years ago my EF was below 29% due to a silent heart attack, and I was hospitalized with congested heart failure. With medication and doing everything right, my EF is 55%.

The statistics you cite may be true, but the statistics include many parameters, other conditions and situations i.e., heredity, lifestyle, diet, stressful occupation, lack of exercise, etc. Many people don't make any changes under their control, stop their medication, etc. There isn't much one can do about the heredity factor, but changes one can control will probably give a normal life span.

[CTYankee]

Thank you for the information. I have changed my lifestyle. I walk on the treadmill for 35 minutes every day walking 1.8 miles. I stopped smoking and my diet consists of fruit, veggies, fish and/or poultry. Even though I eat less and better I can not loose weight. I attribute that fact to two things - not smoking and my heart rate is very low (52 to 54 - resting rate). I want to be around for my two young grandchildren (5 and 6) so I will do whatever it takes. Again, thank you for taking the rime to reply.

Cheers