Hello:

I HAD high cholesterol for a good portion of my life. For the last 30 years, however, I've taken statins and my cholesterol levels are within the safe zones.. I've never had a heart attack.

Do I have heart disease?

excon

Exxy, heart disease comes from more then blocked arteries, but your cholesterol is managed, so why are you not asking your doctor?

Hello tick:

Thanks. I have. He says no. But, I have the feeling that they only DETECT it AFTER you've had a heart attack.. And, if you have a heart attack, certainly, for some period of time before the attack, you HAD heart disease. I'm just wondering when it goes from just having high cholesterol, to full blown heart disease. And, IS that embarkation line detectable??

You know, tick, I always make things more complicated than it has to be.. Am I doing that here?

excon

PS> (edited) The thought occurs to me that the disease part is the RESULT of the heart attack - not a proximate cause of it.. Or, am I confusing myself even more?

My dad always had a perfect score on blood pressure and cholesterol, but died between sentences at 75 of a massive heart attack. My mom has had high bp and cholesterol for years (takes meds) and will be a physically healthy 90 in a few weeks.

Keep taking those meds!

Hello WG:

Between sent

Hello again, WG:

Just kidding.

excon

He was talking to a person on one side of him, turned to say something to the person on the other side, keeled over, and was dead by the time he hit the floor. Hope I go that fast!

I'm guessing you have a family history of heart disease, which is why you have high cholesterol and maybe high blood pressure. Statins and bp meds keep it within normal range. Without it, we would still have high cholesterol even if we eat and exercise right. Our bodies just genetically prone to producing more of it than someone else who doesn't have it in their family.

I hope this helps.

I remember reading many years ago that most people don't survive their first heart attack. This Harvard article says that it was actually 40% not surviving a heart attack (forty years ago) and is 10% not surviving today. More people surviving heart attacks, Harvard Heart Letter cardiologist explains why - Harvard Health Publications (http://www.health.harvard.edu/press_releases/more-people-surviving-heart-attacks)

Shortness of breath has been one clue for some of my friends and relatives over the years. Most of the testing that will really investigate the status of the arteries and heart are probably only authorized by insurance if there are some symptoms to justify it. If that is true (I don't pretend to have any medical expertise), then there is at least some truth to what you say-
" But, I have the feeling that they only DETECT it AFTER you've had a heart attack." or maybe you should say--
AFTER you've, had a heart attack, or at least had some heart attack symptoms.
I had some chest pains when I was in my mid-40's and my Dr. ordered a stress test, and they didn't like the results of the stress test, so they sent me for a catheterization and they found no problems with the arteries. Indigestion was stated as the most likely cause of all that investigation. The testing wasn't any fun and has risk.
Ultrasound screenings are an option and are done free of charge for folks over a certain age at one hospital near me. They claim to be able to check some heart functions and arteries, and aneurysm risk. I worry more about aneurysm because my father died of an abdominal aneurysm in mid sent- too. Quick way to go, though.
I don't see any evidence in your write-up that you have heart disease but it can't be ruled out here, as you know. But if the Harvard study is accurate you have a 90% chance of surviving a heart attack even if you do have heart disease-maybe.

Exy sweetie, don't worry so much. Only the good die young. You and I will be around forever. ;)

Ah, found the thread finally.

A diagnosis of high cholesterol isn't a diagnosis of heart disease. High cholesterol is only a risk factor in determining heart disease. There are at least 3 different types of heart disease that I can think of off the top of my head. Coronary artery disease (which is what I think you are asking about), congestive heart failure, and heart attack.

We will go with coronary artery disease for this thread. This is the most common form of heart disease. It is caused by a narrowing, or stenosis, of the arteries caused by a buildup of cholesterol and other materials. This is known as plaque.


Performing diagnostic tests, including an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG), exercise (http://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/guide/default.htm)stress tests (http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/guide/stress-test--%28dupe%29), electron beam (ultrafast) CT scans, cardiac catheterization, and others. These tests help your doctor evaluate the extent of your coronary heart disease, its effect on the function of your heart and the best form of treatment for you. Found here... Coronary Artery Disease: Causes, Symptoms, Treatments (http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/guide/heart-disease-coronary-artery-disease?page=2)

Simply put, a diagnosis of high cholesterol is not a diagnosis of heart disease. There are tests that can be performed to form a definitive diagnosis of HD.

Since your cholesterol is managed by medication, I'm betting that you are in the clear for CAD.


PS> (edited) The thought occurs to me that the disease part is the RESULT of the heart attack - not a proximate cause of it.. Or, am I confusing myself even more? Actually the CAD is the cause of the heart attack. Typically the disease is present long before the attack. So, you have it backwards. ;)

Dayum.... Maybe I should change my specialty to cardiology! ;)

Hello J:

Thanks,

excon

I hope that put your mind at ease exy. If not, let me know and I see if I can dig up anything else that will help.