Heart Has History, Too

Family History...!

I had a great talk with my Auntie Ann today. She filled me in on cardiac issues that existed in two branches of our family tree — Tedlock (Uncle Victor and cousins all died of heart attacks and Bertie [nee Marshall], my grandmother, had angina) and Smith (three generations back, both branches, and Aunt Trudy). So genetically, I am disposed to heart problems. Oddly enough, my father does not have coronary artery disease, but he did suffer twice from rheumatic fever, leaving him with a heart murmur that has not slowed him down (he’s 93 y.o.). He gets periodic cardiac ultrasounds and EKGs. Genetic dispositions can skip a generation; I suspect this has happened in my case.

At least in these times we have wonderful medical diagnostic techniques, mitigation protocols (drugs, knowledge of good lifestyle changes) and fine invasive interventions. I should live a long time — just like my Dad — with good health management — both by myself and health professionals.

The family history is essential to my being able to stay in good health. Knowing this is very helpful. It indicates to me that I will probably be having regular cardiac ultrasounds and catheterization/angiograms. Note that there is a 30% occlusion in my right coronary artery — not too terribly bad, but it needs following. (Dr. Boateng mention it during my presurgery consult.) I do need to change out my statin, though; Lipitor (atorvastatin) makes me dizzy and has more interactions than the newest one (the name of which escapes me right now).

I had such a wonderful experience at Mount Sinai that I'm going to try and get my psychiatry there. WNYC featured a half-hour segment (don't remember what the show was) on research that had been done on the possible psychiatric benefit of three psychedelic drugs (ketamide, LSD, and a popular marijuana derivative). What I heard indicates to me a psychiatric section at Mount Sinai that is willing to think "outside of the box" — very important as regards the treatment of Adult ADD.

I might even consider transferring all of my care to Mount Sinai. That way, I could get the benefit of their fine Attending Physicians, rather than just their rotating residents and fellows (for the most part) that come from their medical school programs through Elmhurst Hospital Center. I'm getting more frustrated with the administration of this particular NYC-HHC hospital. Their policies are unhelpful and, I think, becoming unhealthy to deal with, especially mentally. Too many apparatchiks.

Knowledge is power — in medicine, too!