@george: "I'm back home.  Here's what they found.  They did a heart catheterization,
and found four areas of concern. The first, on an artery running down the 
back
of my heart, has about 20% restriction, which they said wasn't enough to 
install
a stint or conduct an angioplasty.  The other three areas were on an artery
along the front and left side of my heart.  Two had about 25% restrictions,
and were similar to the first one.  The fourth was located past a branch in
the artery near the bottom left side of my heart, and had about 70% 
restriction.
This one, according to my doctor, was likely to be the one causing most of 
my
trouble, but that it was in a location that would have to be operated on in
order to repair surgically.  He advised against this because, according to 
him, those
who have had such operations for repairs in that area haven't shown
significant improvement over those who haven't.  In other words, the risks
of such operations isn't justified by the potential benefits.  He thinks it
can be repaired through medication (i.e., diet restrictions,
cholesterol-reducing medication, hypertension medication, and other
medication that helps stabilize my heart beat).  He also said that these
medications, along with diet and excercise should considerably help all of
these areas.  I hope he's right.  He does seem to be a very good doctor.
I've been quite impressed with all of his staff, and was well treated. So 
that
is what we are going to try first.  He said if these do not help, he would 
consider other treatments (which he didn't specify).
The odd thing is that my cholesterol and triglycerides were off the charts.
I found this to be disconcerting for several reasons, not the least of
which is the fact that my wife and I have always been very conscious about
what we eat, and especially with regard to foods high in fat and
cholesterol.  I understand that some people simply have high levels no
matter what they eat, so I guess it is possible that I'm one of those.
Hopefully, the medicines, diet, and excercise will help.
Anyway, I'm going to check out a few more posts and then it's bedtime for
bonzo!
George "
    @ngspammersad: "news:<email_address>
<quote>
Fox was saying that red skin grape juice has something in it that helps
lower blood pressure by relaxing blood vessels.  I haven't tried it myself!
:-)
Maybe that's worth a try.
I understand that a burst of exercise isn't a good idea because it can heat
up fatty deposits in blood vessels (from the heat your body generates during
the exercise), then when you stop exercising (I think it's up to 30 minutes
afterwards) the deposits cool back down, harden back up and sometimes can
stick together causing a blockage.   This probably applies to people closer
to being completely blocked up than you are.  I imagine the deposits would
have to be right next to each other to be able to stick like that....
God, I'm a bloody comfort, aren't I?! :-)
Is it possible to break down the blockages with medication?
TWP
<Wondering about his cholesterol level now!>"
    @george: ""TWP" <email_address> wrote in message 
news:<email_address>
<quote>
According to my cariologist, it is possible to reduce the blockages with 
medication, which is what we are going to try to do.
George "
    @george: "<email_address> wrote in message 
news:<email_address>
<quote>
Well, the procedure went well, but I'm still not feeling well, nor out of 
the woods yet.  I've got a ways to go, that's for sure.
George "
    @george: ""Jesse" <email_address> wrote in message 
news:<email_address>
<quote>
Thanks. Ironically, I ran in the Kentucky Derby mini-marathon four years 
ago (13 miles), but after I had about five deaths in my family in mid-2002, 
and had some other medical problems at the time, I kind of got lazy with 
the excercise, didn't keep it up, and I guess I'm seeing the result now.
George "
    @george: ""Hair O. Theedogg" <email_address> wrote in message 
news:<email_address>
<quote>
Thanks for the advice.
George "
    @Bill: "<email_address> wrote in message 
news:<email_address>
<quote>
Interesting thought. Anyone interested in a sweepstake?
BiF "
    @ngspammersad: "news:<email_address>
<quote>
myself!
They didn't say wine.... then again they didn't say wine DIDN'T work!
Actually, doesn't brandy dialate blood vessels?
I think it was the specific blood vessels that Fox was interested in.   You
won't get to see this.... the feature is played to us while you see adverts!
They used to just play a weather forecast, now it's been replaced by "Fox
Extra" and "Fox Rx".  I'm not complaining!
TWP"
    @ngspammersad: "news:<email_address>
<quote>
I don't know... he could fall victim to poachers if cholesterol becomes
valuable! :-)
TWP"
    @nodog: "Sounds like a pretty good report to me, all in all.  I think the meds
will have you feeling more like your old self before long.  Just be
sure to get plenty of wild sex.
argos"
    @george: "<email_address> wrote in message 
news:<email_address>
<quote>
Tofu?  Umm, a sixth story ledge is looking better all the time.  lol
George "
    @george: ""TWP" <email_address> wrote in message 
news:<email_address>
<quote>
I never thought of that.  It' could become a valuable product.  Maybe I'll 
can it and sell it on e-bay.
George "
    @george: ""argos" <email_address> wrote in message 
news:<email_address>
<quote>
I'll be sure to put that request in early to my wife.  I'm sure she'll be 
eager to perform (note sarcasm)!
George "
    @ngspammersad: "news:<email_address>
<quote>
It probably wouldn't be the crappest thing I ever bought there! :-)
TWP"
    @george: "<email_address> wrote in message 
news:<email_address>
<quote>
How can you like something that has no taste at all, and the textural 
consistency of clay mud?
George<here's mud in your eye> "
    @george: "<email_address> wrote in message 
news:<email_address>
<quote>
Ugh!  I feed that stuff to my yellow Tang! (the fish, not the 
NASA-sponsored orange drink).
George<Hey Rocky.  Watch me pull a rabbit out of my hat> "
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