[Stutzdriver]

I am the survivor of a full arrest at age 39 (14 years ago) and a patient of the #1 Interventional Cardiologist in the US if not the entire world (at the Cleveland Clinic, #1 cardiac center in the world). I see the doc regularity and have a ton of information they feed me all the time. I am also part of a long term (25 year) study at the Cleveland Clinic.

Cardiac Rulkes of life per the CCF cardiology department:

1. Weight: Keep to the low side of the body mass index, for me about 180# (This one I fight with all the time)
2. Diet: Low fat, high fish content. (I have to consume 2 servings of Salmon or equivalent per 7 day period)
3. Butter/Margarine: Butter in moderation is better than regular margarine. the only "approved" butter substitute is SMART BALANCE).
4. Exercise: 4x per week, 30-45 minutes per session MINIMUM
5. Stress: Minimize (don't sweat the small stuff and manage the big stuff, nobody dies)
6. Meds: Toporol is your friend (was a generic but it was pulled) ACE inhibitors with asperin and statins have shown a "cleaning" effect in studies (I've had 2 caths to prove this one out)
7. Live life and enjoy yourself by doing anything in moderation!

My father had 3 heart attacks before age 37 (he died of the 3rd). Docs reviewed his file recently and said every condition he had could be successfully treated today but in the 1960's they were just guessing! The Clinic has stated they their cardiac knowledge doubles every 12-15 months (when you think about that it is pretty incredible).

I'm glad to be here and the docs tell me I will be for a while! Good luck with your testing!