Today should also be marked as the first the day that I will begin taking the statin drugs that are making the news today. See http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/27651289#27651289 for the news report on this topic today. I found all of this most fascinating when I first saw the reports last night about the statin drugs because two weeks ago at my appointment with my heart doctor, I found that my CPR levels were very high. In fact, combined with my HDL, I was “highly at risk” for a heart attack. Needless to say, I freaked out! I had new blood work done, found I had brought my HDL down 20 points in about two months by eating oatmeal every day and watching what I eat a bit more closely. My GP doc prescribed the statin drug last week; however, after another visit to the heart doc, where I was actually seen by his “physician’s assistant,” I decided not to take the statin. All of that changed after I say the latest research. So, now I begin the drug therapy for cholesterol. We will see how my blood work changes.
I really don’t want to spend my retirement years worrying out my health, but I don’t want to be in denial about it either. I am also taking Verapamil for my irregular heart beat. That seems to help some, but I am still bothered by the irregular beats mainly in the evening. I at least feel like we have a plan, and that I also have good doctors who are following me and my symptoms. As women, we need to be aware of our hearts and make sure that doctors take us seriously when we think things are not quite right.