Husband's Cardiologist Appointment Today

It sounds like your husband suffers from coronary artery disease - does that term ring a bell?  The coronary arteries become narrowed due to fatty deposits building up, and so the heart receives less blood (arteries bring blood to the heart while veins pump blood out of the heart).  A heart attack results when an artery is completely blocked.  It does sound like your husband has significant risk factors.  I'm sure he knows that he has to change his lifestyle, but it sounds like he's in a stage of denial.  Does he know how anxious this is making you?  Do you have children that could help you talk to him? 

I know how hard this can be.  Remember that only he can change his own behavior; you just need to support him while he does it. 

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Co-moderator - IBS Forum

I wanted to say how sorry I am that you are going through this.  I had the same expierence with my husband 2 1/2 years ago.  He was overweight, smoked, didn't exercise and had a high stress job.  I often warned him that he was a heart attack waiting to happen (although his blood pressure and cholesterol was low/normal).  Well, on Dec. 6th 2005, he came home from work early complaining of indigestion and sever pain in his elbow.  I took him to the ER - and he was having a major heart attack.  He had 4 stents put in, and fortunately, had no lasting heart damage.  He quit smoking the day of his heart attack.  But, weigh, and the love of food have always been his weakness.  After he quit smoking, he gained even more weight, and stopped walking on the treadmill.  He had another heart attack last May, with 3 more stents.  No one can make anyone change - the only thing that will make him change will be when he has a heart attack, or when he truely wants to change.  The more you nag at him, the angrier he will become with you, and do the opposite of what you tell him to do.  Try to cook lowfat meals (and less quanities), but other than that - and telling him that you love him and want him to be around for a long, long time - there is nothing more you can do. My husband is now back on the treadmill, but still suffers with his weight problem.  Good luck to you - I hope your husband makes some lifestyle changes before it is too late.