I debated about bringing this on to a football forum, but I have also seen a lot of doctors and medical professionals comment on this site, so I figure the more informed that I can be the better. On January 9th, I had my second close friend (college pledge brother, lived together for 3-4 years after college, best man in his wedding, took trips together as families) in 7 years pass away unexpectedly from heart issues involved with "The Widowmaker" at 50 years young. Now as I understand it the Widowmaker occurs when the left anterior descending artery is totally or almost completely blocked - then due to a blood clot the flow on the left side of the heart stops and the heart stops beating normally - and a large percentage of the time this results in death.
My question for the board is how do you test or figure out that you have issues prior to it becoming a unexpected fatal occurrence? I have heard many thoughts on this subject in the last month varying from if it's your time to go then it's your time to do a full work up with a cardiologist and gather all the info that you can. When my cousin (more like a brother) passed away at 43 from the Widowmaker, I got a full work up done with a cardiologist and felt good about the results. My primary care physician (just had my physical in early January) told me that there is a calcium build up test and if I had concerns that this test might also give some information on calcium build up for potential blockages. I know life is finite and my time to go was probably "written long ago", but do any of the doctors/medical professionals have any thoughts on tests etc. that could provide some peace of mind? And to anyone who has lost good friends this way, I say to you that I feel your grief and pray for you to have better days ahead with strong memories of the one you lost that help you keep a part of them with you. Thanks in advance my fellow scoopers.
My question for the board is how do you test or figure out that you have issues prior to it becoming a unexpected fatal occurrence? I have heard many thoughts on this subject in the last month varying from if it's your time to go then it's your time to do a full work up with a cardiologist and gather all the info that you can. When my cousin (more like a brother) passed away at 43 from the Widowmaker, I got a full work up done with a cardiologist and felt good about the results. My primary care physician (just had my physical in early January) told me that there is a calcium build up test and if I had concerns that this test might also give some information on calcium build up for potential blockages. I know life is finite and my time to go was probably "written long ago", but do any of the doctors/medical professionals have any thoughts on tests etc. that could provide some peace of mind? And to anyone who has lost good friends this way, I say to you that I feel your grief and pray for you to have better days ahead with strong memories of the one you lost that help you keep a part of them with you. Thanks in advance my fellow scoopers.
