Health Achievements
I feel that one of the measurements of good health is the amount of medication that I’m prescribed. I didn’t want to be a slave to medicine, which is one reason I took the laser-focused approach to my lifestyle change. As a result, I did become healthier and didn’t require all the medication when I left the hospital. Don’t get me wrong, medications have the purpose of addressing symptoms, and I’m very thankful for having access to them at the time of need. Medicines don’t cure the underlying cause of the issue. Medicine really does not necessarily make anyone healthy.
Here are some notable health achievements during my heart attack recovery.
January 2019
- 80 mg Atorvastatin (Cholesterol)*
- 90 mg Brilinta (Blood Thinner)
- 100 mg Metoprolol Tartrate (Beta Blocker)
- 5 mg Lisinopril (Blood Pressure)
- 81 mg Aspirin *
As of June 2022
- 10 mg Atorvastatin (for existing plaque stabilization)*
- 81 mg Aspirin*
* Doctors said I will probably be on these for the rest of my life.
Survived Heart Attack
& Quit Smoking
Got a stent and was told if I didn’t change my ways I would be back in there again. Day one of quitting smoking. I haven’t smoked since!
100% NICOTINE FREE!!!
First full day without the nicotine patch!
Medication Lowered!
PCP Follow-up
Changed to Metoprolol Succinate 25 mg.
Medication Lowered!
Cardiologist Follow-up
Reduced Atorvastatin down from 80 mg to 40 mg!
Prescribed Overnight Oxygen Therapy 😡
I told my doctor at a visit that I snored so I did an overnight oximetry test and it revealed that I needed the O2 therapy.
Medication Lowered!
PCP Follow-up
Reduced Atorvastatin down from 40mg to 20mg and Metoprolol down to 12.5 mg!
Medication Dropped!
Cardiologist Follow-up
Went on December 9th, but he said I could DROP the Brilinta on the 29th! It is normally a 1 year regimen, but I learned that not everyone is able to do so.
Medication & O2 Therapy Dropped! PCP Follow-up
She was happy with my overnight oxygen progress and sustainability so the overnight supplemental oxygen therapy was removed along with the Lisinopril.
Medication Dropped!
Cardiologist Follow-up
He said I was at a VERY MINIMAL risk for another heart attack and took me off of the Metoprolol! The only medications I’m on are the baby aspirin and 20 mg of Atorvastatin which I’m constantly told will be for the rest of my life.
“Superior” VO2Max
This is the measurement of how much oxygen your body can consume and use during exercise. My Garmin watch calculates this and although isn’t 100% accurate, it is a good metric to gauge fitness. Heat and cold can effect this, but for ME and my health history to get into the “superior” range is pretty phenomenal!
Atorvastatin Reduced to 10mg!
In December 2021, my cardiologist allowed me to reduce the Atorvastatin to 10mg (lowest available) to see how it goes. 6 months later I retested my lipids and the numbers were basically the same as December’s AND the particle sizes of HDL and LDL got bigger! Still better than June of 2021. My cardiologist is allowing me to stay on the minimal dose for the pleiotropic effect of existing plaque stabilization.