What did you do to yourself?

Sometimes you have to be threatened with death to realize the implications of your actions in life. What causes a 32 year old man to have a massive coronary. Well, there's a number of risk factors.

• smoking
• high blood pressure
• high blood cholesterol
• diabetes
• being overweight or obese
• physical inactivity

Smoking, check, for 16 years or so. High blood pressure, not that we know of but maybe. High blood cholesterol, little did we know his was astoundingly high. His total cholesterol was 230. His HDL, healthy cholesterol, was 20. His triglycerides were so high, 540, that the lab couldn't accurately calculate his LDL, lethal cholesterol, the estimate is around 104. Diabetes, no. Overweight or obese, not really 5'10" 200 lbs. Average height and weight for a 30 something man. Physical inactivity, kinda? He's very physical at work lifting tires and batteries, but at home plays a lot of video games and spends plenty of time at the computer.

That boils down to 3 out of 6. Dr. M told us it was a combination really. They think he may have some bad genes. That along with a whole lot of bad diet and smoking makes for a comfy stay in the ICU with a pump helping your heart out for 2 days. Smoking is bad kids, don't do it.

Not your average grocery list.*

Plavix, 75mg once per day in the am to keep blood flowing smoothly through the stent
Vasotec, 2.5mg once per day in the am to control blood pressure
Tricor, 145 mg once per day in the pm to help lower cholesterol
Lopressor, 25mg twice per day in the am and pm to control heart rate and blood pressure
Zocor, 20 mg once per day in the pm to help lower cholesterol and triglycerides
Aspirin, 325 mg once per day in the am to thin blood

Low cholesterol diet
Low fat diet
Low sodium diet

Activities as tolerated per cardiac rehab
Cardiac rehab 3 times per week for 12 weeks to build back up endurance and strength
No driving for 4 weeks

* Alternate title-Ways we're attempting to keep JD alive.