Heart Attack + 2 years: Blood Profile Update

It's been 6 months since my last blood work. I've been doing pretty good with the meds and exercise, and OK on diet. Here are the updates:

Here are my March 2010 values (first ones after the heart attack):

cholesterol, total 173 mg/dl <200 (GOOD!)
HDL cholesterol 37 mg/dl >39 (CLOSE!)
cholesterol/hdl ratio 4.68 <5.00 (GOOD!)
LDL cholesterol, calculated (can not be calculated when the triglyceride exceeds 400 mg/dl).
triglyceride 712 mg/dl <150 (BAD!)

Here are my September 2010 Values:
cholesterol, total 153 mg/dl <200 (20 pts improvement)
HDL cholesterol 50 mg/dl >39 (13 pts improvement)
cholesterol/hdl ratio 3.06 <5.00 (50% improvement)
LDL cholesterol, calculated 76 <100 (good)
triglyceride 133 mg/dl <150 (nearly 600 pt redux)

Here are mySeptember 2011 Values:
cholesterol, total 143 mg/dl <200 (10 pts improvement)
HDL cholesterol 47 mg/dl >39 (3 pts drop)
cholesterol/hdl ratio 3.04 <5.00 (good)
LDL cholesterol, calculated 49 <100 (good)
triglyceride 234 mg/dl <150 (creeping up!)



My LDL's are continuing to go down, so I assume the Statins are doing their job. The Triglycerides are creeping up! I'm on Tricor for that, but it's not keeping up. I see my PCP this week, and we'll see what he says.

On the fundraising front, we just finished the Heart Walk in Erie, and we had a great turnout and raised quite a bit of money for the American Heart Association.

Have you been to see your doctor lately? Have you had blood work done in the last year? If not, ask yourself why. Also think about what the world would be like if you were to die tomorrow of a heart attack, just because you didn't think it was important enough to get checked out.

Remember, I was running 20 miles a week when I had my heart attack in 2009. Don't confuse feeling good for being well. Get checked out!

Still Ticking - and Walking!

I'm approaching 2 years since my heart attack, and I'm feeling pretty good. I'll have another round of lipid profiles to review soon, but I'm sticking to the medicine regimen and am getting some good exercise.

Walking is a great low impact way to exercise. I am lucky to work in a place that has some great paved walking trails as well as unpaved hiking paths. I get out 3 or more times each week for an hour, and sweat a bit. It feels pretty good!

I'm also coordinating walkers, and walking in the Heart Walk. If you would like to walk with me, or sponsor me, you can click here.  

The details :

Heart Walk – September 17

Location: Liberty Park (Erie bayfront)

Distance: 3 miles

Time: 9AM Register/Photo, 10AM Walk

It's a great way to get healthier, and support the American Heart Association!