Charlie
Active member
Hi all,
Sorry for my absence of late but life has been busy. Yesterday was my 6 month anniversary post op. I feel fantastic and life is everything I want to be. I had an AVR on July 20 of this year.
Before my question a little background.
My AVR was rough and I coded twice during the procedure I had a PFO after the operation that caused extremely low blood oxygen but finally the PFO closed 8 days post op and I was released two days later. Did I mention I hate hospitals....blech
After my first visit with my surgeon post op he told me that my heart and veins showed absolutely no evidence of arterial disease and was impressed with the fact that my diet must be good (which it is). Further he expected a full recovery which I now can say came true.
After being released from the Surgeon I was handed over to my VA Cardiologist who immediately started pushing me to take statin drugs (Crestor). I DO NOT want to be on them primarily because my diet is good and I feel that the clean bill of health from the Surgeon was enough of an indicator for me not to take them. Additionally I feel that the risk of cognition problems down the road (I'm 62) would be accelerated by taking statin drugs (a common side effect).
However, there still is a side of me that says go with conventional wisdom and take them. I have always refused to "drink the coolaid" and have searched for other options.
Since the initial meeting with my Cardiologist and subsequent visits with my primary care physician I have been badgered to the point of feeling bullied to take Statins. Were do you all stand on this? I would like to hear your opinions.
Thanks
Sorry for my absence of late but life has been busy. Yesterday was my 6 month anniversary post op. I feel fantastic and life is everything I want to be. I had an AVR on July 20 of this year.
Before my question a little background.
My AVR was rough and I coded twice during the procedure I had a PFO after the operation that caused extremely low blood oxygen but finally the PFO closed 8 days post op and I was released two days later. Did I mention I hate hospitals....blech
After my first visit with my surgeon post op he told me that my heart and veins showed absolutely no evidence of arterial disease and was impressed with the fact that my diet must be good (which it is). Further he expected a full recovery which I now can say came true.
After being released from the Surgeon I was handed over to my VA Cardiologist who immediately started pushing me to take statin drugs (Crestor). I DO NOT want to be on them primarily because my diet is good and I feel that the clean bill of health from the Surgeon was enough of an indicator for me not to take them. Additionally I feel that the risk of cognition problems down the road (I'm 62) would be accelerated by taking statin drugs (a common side effect).
However, there still is a side of me that says go with conventional wisdom and take them. I have always refused to "drink the coolaid" and have searched for other options.
Since the initial meeting with my Cardiologist and subsequent visits with my primary care physician I have been badgered to the point of feeling bullied to take Statins. Were do you all stand on this? I would like to hear your opinions.
Thanks