July 3rd 3013
Over the past 20 plus years I have had several heart attacks, the first being literally induced by an overly determined Cardiologist during a simple angioplasty to remove an 80% and a 50% blockage of my heart arteries. He left the balloon, which compresses the arterial plaque, inflated too long resulting in the rapid fibrillation of my heart until electrically shocked back into a normal rhythm by the paddles (“CLEAR!”..WHUMP), and then--according to the protocol of the hospital--double bypass surgery.
Since then, there have been three more heart attacks, two more
angioplasties, four stents, and another (triple) bypass surgery. All of
this with none of the usual antecedents of heart disease, ie family
history, overweight, smoker, high blood pressure, etc.
However, heart disease (among other health issues) has more
recently been presumptively attributed to the effect and circumstances
of the Vietnam POW experience. And considering stress and heart disease
are related, it makes sense to me.
In any case, multiple heart attacks of course take a toll on the
heart muscle itself. Heart attacks characteristically cut off blood flow
through the heart’s arteries depriving much of the heart muscle of the
blood it requires to stay healthy and viable. In my case, it has been
determined, mostly by an Echocardiogram, that my “Ejection Fraction”,
the measure of my heart’s efficiency in pumping blood, is only about
36%. Because I am below the normal of 65% to 75% my Cardiologist
recommended an ICD (Implanted Cardio Device); a heart defibrillator (as
opposed to a “pacemaker” which regulates the heart’s rhythm).
The heart defibrillator is a programable, surgically implanted (in
the chest to rest just below the clavacle) device about the size of a
gentleman’s pocket watch with wire leads that connect through veins to
both sides of the heart. If the heart’s rhythm drops below or rises
above a certain level (fibrillation), the device delivers a strong shock
to the heart returning it to it’s normal rhythm. This device is the
result of years of trials and R & D and, considering the first heart
defibrillator was the size of a washing machine, it is truly remarkable
how far we have come.
Vice President Dick Cheney could be considered the “poster boy” for
the advances in cardiac technology. As a high profile/VIP heart patient,
he has always had access to the “cutting edge” of life extending
innovation. It seems that over the years the technology that has kept
him alive--including several years using a defibrillator--has been
developed just ahead of his advancing need. His treatment has given
reality to the axiom, “necessity is the mother of invention”.
For me, the use of a life saving device such as the defibrillator
will be the source of much peace of mind (for which I am ever so
grateful), even though there is a little trepidation about the unknown.
It is said that when the device kicks into action, the electrical shock
can feel like a kick in the chest from a mule. Talk about mixed
emotions!...I can hardly wait.
