Heart anxiety, bigtime Trigs....

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Heart anxiety, bigtime Trigs....
5
Wed, 04-11-2007 - 8:17pm

I was told I have high cholesterol last week. I was totally floored, esp when the NP told me I was at "big risk for heart attack." This is my only risk factor (tho should take it seriously, I know). I run 5K races every month or so, run 12-15 miles a week, not to mention all the other exercise I do. I never feel any distress or out of breath, but I have read a couple of books on women's heart health, and there are examples in there of physically fit women who end up having heart attacks.

I just feel so depressed, so ready to throw in the towel. I am seeking the opinion of a cardiologist, but feel like, what's the use? Why not just leave right now?? Why bother? All this damn exercise, eating right and I just get royally screwed by my body...I posted on heart health about this, too, but since death may be just around the corner for me, why not hasten its end? sorry so dismal...peace,lyn

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-12-2004
Thu, 04-12-2007 - 10:08am

Hi Lyn and welcome to the board. I'm glad you found us and are seeking support!


First let me say that you ARE doing everything right and that is a good thing in that it has thus far likely been a major part of just WHY you are otherwise so healthy and have avoided any major health scares! But it's not uncommon (especially with people prone to anxiety and/or health concerns) to have such a strong reaction when given potentially bad health news. I know for me, there are times when I'm feeling stressed or more vulnerable for whatever reason and I can get some new health information and react quite "fatalistically" in thinking and then there are other times when I am better equipped to handle things emotionally and I do what I can and leave the rest to the professionals. It sounds like you are doing just that and that is a GOOD thing!


Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket 
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2004
Thu, 04-12-2007 - 12:42pm

 

 


 



iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Thu, 04-12-2007 - 2:44pm

Jan & Lori--

Thanks for your excellent support and great suggestions. I am thinking irrationally, I know. But I have had feelings that I might just as well forget it, my body has betrayed me in this, what else is next?? But you both gave me a look at the big picture, and no one lives forever. And I could live a long time, I think of my aunt who lived to be 99 with HBP and my grandma who has survived cancer (she is 95).

Thanks for listening!! peace,lyn

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-12-2004
Thu, 04-12-2007 - 4:54pm

Hey Lyn,


Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket 
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2004
Thu, 04-12-2007 - 9:47pm
I had a great aunt on my dad's side that lived to be 98. That in itself is not much, I guess, except that she was an insulin dependent diabetic! I have to tell you a crazy story. She ate NO SWEETS! She didn't allow us any either. When I would visit for the day, she would boil a piece of chicken all morning. Then, have bread & broth for her lunch. Then, all afternoon she would boil that same piece of chicken. Then, eat it for dinner. OMG! My mom & my gramma used to laugh themselves silly about it & I being a kid thought that it was