by FakeCanadian » Sat Jun 15, 2013 6:35 pm
This is to help motivate others who may be facing similar challenges.
Last fall I had quadruple coronary artery bypass graft surgery at age 55. I had/have seven separate stenoses spread among all three major coronary arteries. The worst was 98% narrowing far upstream in my left coronary artery. Yep, a time bomb. My only symptom was chest pain on exertion. (I was lucky; for many, a heart attack is the first symptom.) Except for borderline high cholesterol, I had no risk factors whatsoever and always followed what I used to consider to be a healthy diet (I know better now).
After diagnosis I discovered Prevent & Reverse Heart Disease and have 'wholeheartedly' embraced plant-based nutrition. What a joyful revelation to learn I could actually reverse and stymie the progress of heart disease, purely with diet. I've been on Esselstyn's diet now for about 11 months. Full disclosure: I also began taking 20 mg generic Lipitor, but cut that back to 10 mg--quite a low dose--because my Internist said there's too little data on cholesterol in my range to know whether it's safe. He wanted me to ease on the diet--I said no thanks, I'd like to take less statin instead please. As you can see from these numbers, given the minimal effect of halving the statin dose, I attribute 80-90% of the progress I've made on lipids to plant-based nutrition.
BEFORE Plant-Based Nutrition
Total chol = 214
HDL = 47
LDL = 148
Trig = 95
AFTER Plant-Based Nutrition + 20-mg gen. Lipitor
Total chol = 84
HDL = 28
LDL = 36
Trig = 100
TODAY on Plant-Based Nutrition + 10-mg gen. Lipitor
Total chol = 98
HDL = 38
LDL = 39
Trig = 111
My BP today averages 110/75, and my bloodwork looks beautiful, including two tests for B12 on which my Internist insisted. I lost 20 lbs the first 2 months on the diet and have stabilized at what I weighed at age 19. I walk/hike 60+ miles per month, lift weights, cycle, practice Tai Chi, and basically do whatever I want. I feel fantastic, good energy, improved mental clarity, and positive mood. Though I've had The Big Fix, plant-based nutrition will be my regimen the remainder of my life. I have to take care of my four grafts, and I appreciate the other benefits as well.
My Internist at first tried over several appointments to talk me out of a wholly plant-based diet. ("A strict vegan diet is inconsistent with life.") Now nearly a year later, he's considering adopting the diet himself. Ha!
Thanks for reading, and best of luck!