Husband's Cardiologist Appointment Today

My husband is at high risk for getting a heart attack or stroke if he doesn't modify his lifestyle immediately. I do have a question though. about 2 years ago he had an angiogram and it indicated a main artery or vein that is partially blocked and cannot be stented or anything done to get rid of the problem. What is the name of this kind of blockage? Any information regarding this kind of blockage?

My husband is overweight, has high bp, high triglycerides, probably high cholesterol, has sleep apnea, and today's visit to the cardiologist was a grim one. He even told my husband that he looks stressed. He is 59. Unless I tell him otherwise, he drinks soda all the time, he will eat whatever he feels like, and have as big a portion as he feels like. He never walks or does the treadmill. He never exercises. I have been begging him for years to change his ways, and any time I ask him to go for a walk with me, he is always too tired, so he sits on the couch and watches tv. I truly hope by this visit, he takes his life seriously and makes major changes in his lifestyle.

When he came home to tell me how he made out, he looked very, very upset, and since that time this morning, I still feel so very worried and my anxiety is definitely kicking in.

I really needed to write this post.


Scared Stiff - Janet S.

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? 

Hi Sarita,

Thank you so much for your reply. I really don't think as of today that he is still in a state of denial. When he returned from his cardio dr. visit, he looked very upset and very scared. I will do anything and everything I can do to help him, but you are right - he has to make up his mind to do what he has to do.

I failed to mention that his cardio dr. changed all of his high blood pressure medicine and my husband will follow through on this. I know he will do this as a matter of fact.

I did speak to my daughter before and she told me to tell him that if he wants to wait to be able to see his grandchildren, he must change his ways now!

I will change some of my meal preparation to make sure I don't give him anything too fatty or with too much salt, etc. I also want to find some more creative recipes for chicken.

I haven't told my son yet, but boy, will he be upset! His friend's father had a triple by-pass a few yrs back and my son has been begging my husband to lose weight or he will wind up being in very bad shape.

I have so much to deal with regarding my elderly parents (85 & 90) and fortunately they do live in an assisted living facility. I will also try so much harder to find myself a part time job so I don't dwell on things day after day.

Janet S.

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.