gmill880:Hey guys -been gone a few days. I noticed last week about Tuesday I started having some shortness of breath if I used any amount of energy. Saturday it got a lot worse at work but I made it thru the day. Saturday night after playing with the dogs outsude I was having difficulty breathing and when I went upstairs to rest it hit hard. Long story short my wife took me to the emergency room and they admitted me with chest pains. I had one artery 99% blocked and the doctor that did my heart cath and inserted a stent said I had dodged a major heart attack, that it was blocked the max it could be without a major deal. I don'nt remember which artery he said it was. he said by the true definition of a heart attack I did have a very very mild one and luckily for me minimum damage (less than 2%) . Of course I got all the do you smoke questions. I have never really smoked cigarettes and smoked cigars about 3-3 1/2 years . The doctors gave me a hassell about heart disease /family history and said NO cigars would be best !!! But should try to do only one or two a week. That sounds extreme to me and although I will ease off a bit till the stent settled in I don't knpw about 1 or 2 a week. Doc says one cigar is same as 5 ciigarettes and if you smoked 7-10 a week thats like a couple packs a week !!! Any of you guys ( especially in the med fields) have any input or comments on this ? Anyways I got home today and I'm just takin it easy will be outta work a few days depending on how I feel. I was already scheduled for a weeks vacation next week so that will help. Just pokin around on here to see what you guys have been up to. May not be on as much for a few till I feel a little better.
j0z3r:I liked it, it tasted less like a Gurkha and more like a normal cigar, good flavors too.
kuzi16:it is what it is. and the fact remains that some chemicals from a cigar ARE absorbed through the cheeks and gums. if those are dangerous, maybe. iduno. Doctors are able to be led astray by political hype as much as the next guy. and if the doc does not smoke cigars, then he may have some of the misconceptions that many people do. on that note, i would like to say that how you lead your life is up to you. if you smoke 3 packs a day, and you are OK with that, then so be it. eat right. exercise. Still die. my advice? listen to your body. make a decision that you feel good with. but make sure you are making it as an informed decision.
Tumbler: gmill880:Hey guys -been gone a few days. I noticed last week about Tuesday I started having some shortness of breath if I used any amount of energy. Saturday it got a lot worse at work but I made it thru the day. Saturday night after playing with the dogs outsude I was having difficulty breathing and when I went upstairs to rest it hit hard. Long story short my wife took me to the emergency room and they admitted me with chest pains. I had one artery 99% blocked and the doctor that did my heart cath and inserted a stent said I had dodged a major heart attack, that it was blocked the max it could be without a major deal. I don'nt remember which artery he said it was. he said by the true definition of a heart attack I did have a very very mild one and luckily for me minimum damage (less than 2%) . Of course I got all the do you smoke questions. I have never really smoked cigarettes and smoked cigars about 3-3 1/2 years . The doctors gave me a hassell about heart disease /family history and said NO cigars would be best !!! But should try to do only one or two a week. That sounds extreme to me and although I will ease off a bit till the stent settled in I don't knpw about 1 or 2 a week. Doc says one cigar is same as 5 ciigarettes and if you smoked 7-10 a week thats like a couple packs a week !!! Any of you guys ( especially in the med fields) have any input or comments on this ? Anyways I got home today and I'm just takin it easy will be outta work a few days depending on how I feel. I was already scheduled for a weeks vacation next week so that will help. Just pokin around on here to see what you guys have been up to. May not be on as much for a few till I feel a little better.Man Gene - i had no idea. i was just wondering about your father-in-law and how he was doing. I wasn't sure if I missed a post on him or not. What a frightening experience for you... I think Kuzi had some past posts about cigar smoking and the dangers. I think his article, if I remember correctly, had the same risk for non-smokers and those who smoked no more than two cigars daily... Not sure if I go for that, but there is no comparison to cigarettes. There is just the danger of second hand smoke. If you smoke outside - better. If you smoked in a closed car - worse. Would no cigars be better - I would say yes. But what is the risk factor? For you just smoking cigars for 3 and 1/2 years. I would be much more inclined to think genetics and diet. I am sure they will really want to watch your cholesterol and probably put you on lipitor and a diet to control cholesterol. There has been studies where cholesterol in the body can also cause plaque in the brain - contributing to Alzheimers. Perhaps Lipitor did the study... :) My mother is a victim of that disease and I would take Lipitor to just to diminish my chances of that. Anyway, I am just a layperson, but take care of yourself Gene and do whatever you think is best. You are loved here man...
gmill880: Tumbler: gmill880:Hey guys -been gone a few days. I noticed last week about Tuesday I started having some shortness of breath if I used any amount of energy. Saturday it got a lot worse at work but I made it thru the day. Saturday night after playing with the dogs outsude I was having difficulty breathing and when I went upstairs to rest it hit hard. Long story short my wife took me to the emergency room and they admitted me with chest pains. I had one artery 99% blocked and the doctor that did my heart cath and inserted a stent said I had dodged a major heart attack, that it was blocked the max it could be without a major deal. I don'nt remember which artery he said it was. he said by the true definition of a heart attack I did have a very very mild one and luckily for me minimum damage (less than 2%) . Of course I got all the do you smoke questions. I have never really smoked cigarettes and smoked cigars about 3-3 1/2 years . The doctors gave me a hassell about heart disease /family history and said NO cigars would be best !!! But should try to do only one or two a week. That sounds extreme to me and although I will ease off a bit till the stent settled in I don't knpw about 1 or 2 a week. Doc says one cigar is same as 5 ciigarettes and if you smoked 7-10 a week thats like a couple packs a week !!! Any of you guys ( especially in the med fields) have any input or comments on this ? Anyways I got home today and I'm just takin it easy will be outta work a few days depending on how I feel. I was already scheduled for a weeks vacation next week so that will help. Just pokin around on here to see what you guys have been up to. May not be on as much for a few till I feel a little better.Man Gene - i had no idea. i was just wondering about your father-in-law and how he was doing. I wasn't sure if I missed a post on him or not. What a frightening experience for you... I think Kuzi had some past posts about cigar smoking and the dangers. I think his article, if I remember correctly, had the same risk for non-smokers and those who smoked no more than two cigars daily... Not sure if I go for that, but there is no comparison to cigarettes. There is just the danger of second hand smoke. If you smoke outside - better. If you smoked in a closed car - worse. Would no cigars be better - I would say yes. But what is the risk factor? For you just smoking cigars for 3 and 1/2 years. I would be much more inclined to think genetics and diet. I am sure they will really want to watch your cholesterol and probably put you on lipitor and a diet to control cholesterol. There has been studies where cholesterol in the body can also cause plaque in the brain - contributing to Alzheimers. Perhaps Lipitor did the study... :) My mother is a victim of that disease and I would take Lipitor to just to diminish my chances of that. Anyway, I am just a layperson, but take care of yourself Gene and do whatever you think is best. You are loved here man... All the well wishes are greatly appreciated and definitly make me feel better , you guys are a great bunch and I missed being on here with ya. Yes , my blood pressure and cholestrol (sp) were in rough shape. They put me on Lopressor (bloodpressure), Zocor for cholestrol and plavix( blood thinner) and the standard 325 mg aspirin. about 4 years ago I watched what I ate, walked 2.5 to 3 miles a day and lifted free weights 3 times a week. I never missed a day regardless. I went from 297 lbs, to 203 lbs in about 7 months time. My doctor took me off blood presure meds at that time. I was rear ended by a 18 year old kid while driving my sons sports car (mitsi 3000 vr-4) and some back pain for several months and this is when I quit walking and lifting and got back into bad nutrition habits again. I can't help but wonder what if that had never happened...oh well...time to start again as soon as I'm cleared too. Again you guys are very much appreciated...Gene
madurofan: kuzi16:it is what it is. and the fact remains that some chemicals from a cigar ARE absorbed through the cheeks and gums. if those are dangerous, maybe. iduno. Doctors are able to be led astray by political hype as much as the next guy. and if the doc does not smoke cigars, then he may have some of the misconceptions that many people do. on that note, i would like to say that how you lead your life is up to you. if you smoke 3 packs a day, and you are OK with that, then so be it. eat right. exercise. Still die. my advice? listen to your body. make a decision that you feel good with. but make sure you are making it as an informed decision.Well said.
Luko: gmill880: Tumbler: gmill880:Hey guys -been gone a few days. I noticed last week about Tuesday I started having some shortness of breath if I used any amount of energy. Saturday it got a lot worse at work but I made it thru the day. Saturday night after playing with the dogs outsude I was having difficulty breathing and when I went upstairs to rest it hit hard. Long story short my wife took me to the emergency room and they admitted me with chest pains. I had one artery 99% blocked and the doctor that did my heart cath and inserted a stent said I had dodged a major heart attack, that it was blocked the max it could be without a major deal. I don'nt remember which artery he said it was. he said by the true definition of a heart attack I did have a very very mild one and luckily for me minimum damage (less than 2%) . Of course I got all the do you smoke questions. I have never really smoked cigarettes and smoked cigars about 3-3 1/2 years . The doctors gave me a hassell about heart disease /family history and said NO cigars would be best !!! But should try to do only one or two a week. That sounds extreme to me and although I will ease off a bit till the stent settled in I don't knpw about 1 or 2 a week. Doc says one cigar is same as 5 ciigarettes and if you smoked 7-10 a week thats like a couple packs a week !!! Any of you guys ( especially in the med fields) have any input or comments on this ? Anyways I got home today and I'm just takin it easy will be outta work a few days depending on how I feel. I was already scheduled for a weeks vacation next week so that will help. Just pokin around on here to see what you guys have been up to. May not be on as much for a few till I feel a little better.Man Gene - i had no idea. i was just wondering about your father-in-law and how he was doing. I wasn't sure if I missed a post on him or not. What a frightening experience for you... I think Kuzi had some past posts about cigar smoking and the dangers. I think his article, if I remember correctly, had the same risk for non-smokers and those who smoked no more than two cigars daily... Not sure if I go for that, but there is no comparison to cigarettes. There is just the danger of second hand smoke. If you smoke outside - better. If you smoked in a closed car - worse. Would no cigars be better - I would say yes. But what is the risk factor? For you just smoking cigars for 3 and 1/2 years. I would be much more inclined to think genetics and diet. I am sure they will really want to watch your cholesterol and probably put you on lipitor and a diet to control cholesterol. There has been studies where cholesterol in the body can also cause plaque in the brain - contributing to Alzheimers. Perhaps Lipitor did the study... :) My mother is a victim of that disease and I would take Lipitor to just to diminish my chances of that. Anyway, I am just a layperson, but take care of yourself Gene and do whatever you think is best. You are loved here man... All the well wishes are greatly appreciated and definitly make me feel better , you guys are a great bunch and I missed being on here with ya. Yes , my blood pressure and cholestrol (sp) were in rough shape. They put me on Lopressor (bloodpressure), Zocor for cholestrol and plavix( blood thinner) and the standard 325 mg aspirin. about 4 years ago I watched what I ate, walked 2.5 to 3 miles a day and lifted free weights 3 times a week. I never missed a day regardless. I went from 297 lbs, to 203 lbs in about 7 months time. My doctor took me off blood presure meds at that time. I was rear ended by a 18 year old kid while driving my sons sports car (mitsi 3000 vr-4) and some back pain for several months and this is when I quit walking and lifting and got back into bad nutrition habits again. I can't help but wonder what if that had never happened...oh well...time to start again as soon as I'm cleared too. Again you guys are very much appreciated...Gene If you did it once you can do it again. I'm in that same situation, I need to loose a crapton of weigh before I end up with a heart attack at age 34. I lift weights and ride a bike three times a week, but still need to loose a lot.
madurofan:Indeed. How are you and the wife doing Andy?
alienmisprint:You know Gene, this may end up being a good thing. Just like that wreck diverted you from one path, this heart attack may put you back on it. Alot of people believe everything happens for a reason, I wish you the best.
kuzi16:eat right. exercise. Still die.