This blog is devoted to Jon's heart health in the hope it can help others!
As you may remember my husband Jon had a heart attack and open heart surgery almost 10 years ago. It was a HUGE shock to us because just 12 days prior he had gone to a cardiologist because of family history AND the fact he had had a carotid ultrasound through Lifeline screening that showed some blockage. We were concerned - the doctor not so much. He asked me if I'd been told I had blockage and I said no. He then said they always tell men over 50 that they have a blockage... well the doctor did order the standard tests such as an EKG, ECHO & stress test. They were all perfect in fact the doctor told us that Jon was the healthiest patient he had outside of a few young guys who had come in for sports clearance. Jon's bloodwork was on the high side of normal but still in normal range and he had no other issues. I BEGGED for Jon to have a heart CAT scan but the scans were new and not covered by insurance and the doctor did not want to try to get it covered because he thought it was "useless"
Fast forward 12 days later....
Jon came home from work and ate supper. He asked me if I'd changed toothpaste because his bottom teeth hurt..... he kept complaining but tried to go to bed. I was up with the boys because our oldest was home for spring break and we were watching something. Jon got back up and wanted to see if there was an emergency dentist but nothing was open. At that point I said he should go to the ER so he could get pain meds. I did have a little tiny concern and goggled "tooth pain" Back then there was only a little bit that came up saying it could be the heart and he had just had ALL that testing so I really didn't think anything could be that wrong....So our oldest son drove him to the ER. I had just gone to sleep when Steve called me scared telling me that something was off with Jon's blood work and he might be having a heart attack! There was a lot of confusion and unfortunately an ER doctor who was horrible but Jon survived the night with no cardiac consult. I went up there and then came home. The next morning I went up at 5 am but when I got there I was pulled aside by the doctor and shown Jon's heart cath pictures. The doctor said Jon was on the verge of a massive heart attack and had to have open heart surgery and where did I want them to send him because they did not do heart surgery there!!!!
He had to wait all day for the transport- it was terrifying! He kept hitting the nitro pump every 10 minutes as the pain was intensifying. His nurse was so upset she thought he was going to die waiting on the transport! Finally they came to take him to our hometown hospital (we live in the middle between two hospitals and unfortunately that night chose the wrong one to go to. I followed the ambulance all the way crying and talking to our best friend and music minister of our church Guy. (he passed away a few years ago) He prayed the whole drive but once I got there I pulled it together for Jon. Jon's brothers were there and some friends. The doctor pulled me aside and asked if I wanted to bring the kids and I said NO just do the surgery! He indicated Jon might not make it! But I was calm and kept promising Jon that if he was a "good boy" I'd schedule us a cruise! They literally ran down the hall to the OR with me holding Jon's hand. It was so awful! When they wheeled him through the doors I fell on the ground crying. My poor brother in laws had never seen me show any emotions like that! They were shocked but once I got it out of my system I was very calm, mostly was relieved that he was in the surgeon's hands! Jon's surgery went great and much quicker than expected. The surgeon was amazing and very kind to me. Unfortunately he has also passed away since that night.
We got through recovery and thought things were great but just 3 years and 9 months later Jon had the same symptoms and had to have a stent placed!!! It was placed in one of the NEW bypasses (that happens alot) then about 2 and a half years later another stent had to be placed in an area we knew there was some blockage! So in just under 7 years time he had to have 3 procedures on his heart!!!
Just to be CLEAR....Jon's daddy had to have open heart surgery (unexpected) in 1989 right before we got married. His cardiologist was a family friend and he talked to Jon and his brothers about their risk factors and Jon took it very serious! So from the beginning of our marriage Jon was careful no red meat no fried foods....he exercised faithfully. Granted we didn't know all the right things to do- I remember buying Lean Cuisines for us to eat...not the best thing but I tried! As we learned more we ate healthier and healthier and tried to make the best choices. I was raised on FRIED food so it was a big change for me to go from good ole fried chicken to a plain turkey sandwich with no cheese or mayo :) By the time we were in our late 30's we understood more and had seen more heart problems in his family. His younger brother had a heart attack in his 30's a cousin died from something heart related several uncles died from heart issues....it was terrifying BUT we though he'd be ok because he was being proactive! Never did any doctor offer him meds nor take seriously his family history! But his blood work was always good and he had no other risk factors.
Since the heart attack/open heart surgery Jon has followed every single rule - taken all his meds continued exercising but still had issues.
February 2025 he had numbness in his arms at work and went straight to the ER His bloodwork was a little elevated but they weren't sure what was going on so they did a heart cath. For the first time it was clear-no new plaque!!! That was encouraging!
Over the years I've become quite the medical researcher between the kids and Jon's issues! So I've been researching and one thing I found is that Non Alcoholic beer specifically lower sugar like Heineken and Budweiser NA can really help the heart in various ways such as vascular repair, brings down inflammation markers and helps regulates lipids. So I buy lots of non alcoholic beer LOL I go right into the liquor store next door to our Publix to do it! Sometimes Publix has it in stock but not always The first few times I just knew everyone was going to notice and say something or at least think some thing but now I don't care LOL There's a few folks who might raise an eyebrow if they see it in my buggy or me walking down the beer aisle or in to or out of the liquor store! Every now and then Publix will have Buy 1 Get 1 free so I stock up! Last time that happened a friend was in the store and helped me because I bought 10 sets (20-12 packs of Bud NA beer.) She pushed a cart for me as she was howling with laughter saying how the Preacher's wife has a drinking problem and she was just helping me out! She got me and the store clerk laughing too hard and causing a spectacle of ourselves! One time I had just a carton and happened to be behind someone who does not think very highly of us so I was thinking things might get interesting and then she heaved up a 12 pack of REAL beer :):):):) so I just cracked up
For the record my stance on alcohol consumption had changed over the years. While the bible does teach moderation I don't believe it teaches abstinence from alcohol is required. Over the years I've deconstructed my belief system and believe that was a well intended teaching but it's not a biblical requirement. BUT alcohol consumption can cause a lot of unnecessary heartache and I've seen more bad than good come from alcohol However in the case of non alcoholic beer there's some good things that can come from that!
After the heart attack we changed cardiologists after I had a good ole fashioned "come to Jesus" meeting in the ICU with him! If the doctor had ordered a heart CAT scan it would have been followed by a heart cath and yes Jon would have still had to have open heart surgery but at least it would not have been during an active heart attack! It still makes me mad!
The new cardiology group has not been satisfying but they are adequate. They basically just say do your best take your statin and hopefully you'll live.... of course they don't quite say tht but I've felt like they feel he has a terminal heart condition.... When I bring up new studies to them they just pooh-pooh them.
Following Jon's heart attack we went to Cleveland Clinic to see if there was anything they could suggest differently. They happened to have a section for women's cardiology and I saw a doctor. She found that I have something called Lipoprotein (a) Lp(a) it's genetic and until recently there was nothing that could be done. I was put on a statin although it doesn't directly lower Lp(a) it lowers other risks So that was terrifying! It's a huge risk factor often when you hear of someone who is very fit and healthy who has a heart attack they usually have high Lp(A) levels So I had a heart CT and found I only had about 3% of plaque in one artery. I had it repeated a few years ago and I'm up to 4% which is not bad for my age.
So now I research for both of us! The main reason we really try to do our best is because of our children especially our younger ones! They need us.
Anyhow in my research I found some new drugs! These new drugs work in different ways than statins do. Now I believe that statins are good for most people with any heart risk factors. I have researched it and there are so many studies out there on how statins lower the risk of heart attacks and help the body in other ways. Yes some people have issues with the drug. It can elevate the liver's enzymes some folks have leg cramps (I did some but they've pretty much gone away) Jon has had no issues nor have any of his family that are on it. But if you have risk factors or have had a heart attack I feel statins are helpful!
So the two new drugs I am very excited about are Repatha and Ezetimibe/Zetia Both lowers the LDL cholesterol which many doctors feel is the "smoking gun" in heart problems. The idea now is for heart patients to have their LDL under 70 normally the baseline is 100. But some doctors feel that the LDL should be down to 30 and they believe in the next few years that will be the recommendation. Of course all levels should be in range and if not can cause issues.
Repatha works by blocking a protein called PCSK9 that destroys liver receptors that are there to pull the LDL bad cholesterol out of the blood. So more Liver receptors survive ad they clean out the LDL in the blood before it can go to the heart
Ezetimibe/Zetia works by blocking cholesterol absorption in the small intestine and that reduces the amount of cholesterol that enters the bloodstream.
Statins work by blocking a different type of enzyme so that the liver makes less cholesterol and they help stabilize the plaque that is already there. .
So all three can work together as they target different areas I know some people will say ....but our bodies need cholesterol all and yes it does. It's produced daily in every cell. We just don't need as much as being produced. Our lifestyle is not the lifestyle of a 100 years ago so that does not help!
Today Jon saw a lipidologist for the first time. A Lipidologist is a doctor that specializes in the lipid system. I was able to be on the phone for the discussion and for the FIRST time since this all happened I feel like we have a plan. We've felt like there was a sword hanging over us. Now we have hope that the combo of these drugs along with his other meds will not just proevent but will actually reduce plaque in his body!
Jon also takes a coated baby aspirin daily --- Toprol which is a blood pressure med. He's never had high blood pressure but for heart patients this helps the heart to not have to work as hard.
BTW all these drugs are best to take at bedtime as that is when the liver works the most so it's needed during that time.
So it's been challenging to get to this point but we have a plan and I believe it will make a difference!
As for me my LDL is 30,,,,,I take Repatha and it's a BOOGER to give myself a shot! I dread the every other week shot. This Saturday is my off day and I'm so glad!
Please pray that the new drugs will safely give us the best outcomes possible.
If you or a loved one has heart issues
- do not ignore them Please get checked out!
-take your meds (eating dandelion out in the field hasn't help anyone!)
-try and schedule a CT scan for base line
Hope I've helped someone out with this. If you have questions please feel free to reach out to me
We still do not have an answer on why this happens in Jon's family. He does not have the Lp(s) like I have and neither do our boys! He doesn't have any known reason- there is a condition where people make extreme amounts of cholesterol that's not what he has - his cholesterol levels has always been in the normal range. It's a mystery!
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